Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

As we age, we can find ourselves grieving the loss of our younger selves, including physical capabilities and energy we might no longer have. But there is so much bright hope in knowing that our Sovereign Lord intended these very experiences of aging for us, and he desires to walk alongside us in them! In this episode of Soul Talks, Kristi sits down with Christian author and spiritual director, Alice Fryling. Together they unpack her newest book, Aging Faithfully. You’ll be emboldened and enlightened as they share their perspectives, revelations, and encouragement about what it looks like to live (and age) vulnerably and authentically with Christ.Resources for this episode:Aging Faithfully by Alice FrylingJourney of the SoulSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsYou can read the transcript, here.

Empathy and Intimacy with Jesus can be difficult experiences for those of us who are not bent toward emotion or are not naturally “feelers”. The Stations of the Cross is an enriching journey that the Lord has used for centuries in the lives of Christ followers to deepen our empathy and intimacy with him, and to remind us of magnitude of Jesus’ profound sacrifice.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where, as an Enneagram One, Bill tells of his own experience with the Stations of the Cross and Biblical suffering. You’ll be encouraged and enlightened by Bill’s account of the Apostle Paul’s faith both in Jesus and of Jesus during trials, and how we can learn from and model this in our own lives.Resources for this episode: Journey of the Soul Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsUnforsakenYou can read the transcript, here.

It can be overwhelming and even painful to journey with Jesus as he takes up his cross and endures unimaginable suffering. Oftentimes, this can lead to feelings of guilt or shame and make it difficult for us to receive the gift of love that the Lord offers through this journey.Tune into this episode of Soul Talks, where Bill and Kristi unpack a different experience of the Stations of the Cross — one of empathy and intimacy with Christ. Be encouraged to learn that through Jesus, we can draw on the joy of the Lord even in suffering. In Christ there is no condemnation for us!Resources for this episode: UnforsakenSoul Shepherding InstituteYou can read the transcript, here.

It can be scary and intimidating to hope. In fact, we often shrink ourselves and our lives in fear of disappointment. If we hope and things don’t turn out well, we can feel lost, sad, or like our faith isn’t strong enough. But in the waiting, God is doing great things. When you go out on a limb in hope, the Lord meets you there. Even if your hopes don’t pan out like you thought, you can fall back into the loving arms of Jesus!In this Soul Talk, Bill and Kristi inspire your hope in Christ.. Listen in and be encouraged by the better life our Savior creates for you, your family, and the people you care for.Resources for this episode: Journey of the Soul Soul Shepherding Spiritual Directors 

Often we are afraid to hope and be disappointed. The emotional let down of disappointment is painful and lonely. So naturally, we’re prone to guard against the pain by letting down our hopes.But without hope we have nothing! All good things come from hope. The Bible says it’s the spring for faith and love (Colossians 1:5) and an anchor for your soul (Hebrews 6:19).So how can we hold onto hope through fears of disappointment and loss? That’s what Bill and Kristi are unpacking in this Soul Talk. Tune in to discover what it means to have a robust Biblical hope and be encouraged to take the risk of hoping in the Sovereign Lord who is bringing good things to us.Resources for this episode: Journey of the Soul Soul Shepherding Spiritual Directors 

Are you, a close friend, or a family member experiencing feelings of doubt? The truth is, we all have emotional experiences in life that can seem contrary to our faith. What do we do with those when they happen?Simply trying not to doubt isn’t enough. Thinking the right thoughts and doing the right spiritual disciplines can only get us so far. We also need to pay attention to our emotions and share vulnerably about our experience of doubt with safe friends and Jesus.In this Soul Talk, Kristi shares about a heavy season of doubt that she recently experienced and how she worked through it by being emotionally honest and receiving empathy. Her story will help you and the people in your life learn how to embrace and overcome times of doubt. Listen in and discover how the Lord lovingly enters into our brokenness, our doubting, and our shame to bring repair and resolution! Resources for this episode: Journey of the Soul The Soul Shepherding Network 

Many who deconstruct their faith do so because they feel it's not working for them, or it's not working for the people that they see; They’ve experienced a trial, been hurt, or had upheaval in their lives. Maybe you know someone going through this. Maybe, it’s you.To have doubts, questions, and to be wrestling with faith is natural. Similar to remodeling a house, our Sovereign God uses deconstruction to do or build a new thing in and through us. When we lean in, the risen Lord reveals the opportunity of deconstruction: reconstruction. Tune in to this Soul Talk where Bill & Kristi discuss why deconstruction happens, what you can do when you or someone you love is working through a faith crisis, and how to come out on the other side with a greater sense of intimacy with Jesus.Resources for this Episode: Journey of the SoulSoul Shepherding Spiritual Directors

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to be an encouraging and inspiring example for us all. He was, first and foremost, a disciple of Jesus Christ and a preacher of the Gospel. He was a truth-teller dealing with injustice, but did so with great love and gentleness. He embodied the Lord’s peace while truly living out and guiding others in the character of Jesus. Tune into this Soul Talks episode, where Bill is joined by Pastor and Sr. Spiritual Director, Sheridan McDaniel. Together they unpack several practical lessons we can learn about our own Christlikeness from Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. The insight and encouragement shared in this conversation will inspire you to shine the light of Christ so that others can pick from the fruit of your life.Resources for this EpisodeJourney of the Soul Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsYou can read the transcript, here.

When we experience seasons of suffering, our faith is tested. We often experience doubt and we long to feel God’s presence. But the best news and unwavering truth is that the Lord Jesus hears us. He sees us. He is near to us. And he has known us long before we’ve known him!In this Soul Talks episode, Kristi sits down with author, speaker, and radio host Aubrey Sampson. Together they unpack Aubrey’s journey through The Wall and how God meets us in grief and sorrow to draw us into the love of Jesus.As Aubrey discusses her book, Known, you will be encouraged by the power and meaning behind the name of Jesus. Learn how living out the names that God has given us, transforms us into who we are called to be in Christ. Resources for this Episode:  Known by Aubrey SampsonSoul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsThe Soul Shepherding Network

Prayer makes it possible for us to live like Christ. Through prayer, we can shine the light of the risen Jesus — a warmth that we and those around us so desperately need!In this episode of Soul Talks, Bill and Kristi unpack 3 of Dallas Willard’s paradigm-shifting insights on prayer. Listen in to learn how you can integrate prayer into every aspect of your life and experience the great things God does in and through you when you pray!Resources for this episodeThe Soul Shepherding NetworkYou can read the transcript, here.  

God wants to do good things in your life this New Year! Whatever it is that you're going through — be it anxiety, relational conflicts, a stressful situation at work, depression, etc. — there’s an invitation for you to walk through it with Jesus.When we enter our daily lives with submission to God, trust, worship, and prayerfulness, it gives God more room to work. And it helps us enter into life in the easy, peaceful, and loving yoke of Jesus.In this Soul Talk, Bill and Kristi share a special prayer to help guide your heart and mind in submission and surrender to God each day. Tune in to discover how you can pray the Apprentice Prayer to be refreshed and resouled in the Lord!You can read the transcript here. 

It’s tempting to look to what you accomplish or what people say about you for personal meaning or security. But then we miss the smile of Jesus glowing over us!Colossians 3 offers a wonderful promise that’s sadly elusive for most of us: “For you died, and your life is now hid with Christ in God.” This means that your best life – the abundant and eternal life that God offers – is here and now accessible to you in the secret place of the Holy Spirit’s presence.In this episode of Soul Talks, Kristi asks Bill about his recent personal meditations on Colossians 3. You’ll discover inspiring and practical ideas for how to engage your relationships and work while enjoying the loving presence of the risen Jesus. Resources for this podcastSoul Shepherding Spiritual Direction and CoachingSoul Shepherding InstituteYou can read the transcript, here.

We all experience conflict in our close relationships. When misunderstandings, disagreements, and hurt feelings arise, how do we resolve them?The mistake that we’re most prone to make is to avoid or deflect our emotions. But this only leads to prolonged resentment, anger, and disconnection in relationships.In this Soul Talk, Bill and Kristi show us a healthier way to resolve conflict. Listen in as they lead us step-by-step through a real conflict they recently faced and what they did to resolve it. Through love and empathy, by Christ’s example, they show us how we can walk the path to forgiveness and restoration.Resources for this podcastSoul Shepherding Spiritual Direction and CoachingSoul Shepherding InstituteYou can read the transcript here

In the midst of the chaos of life, work, or parenting it can be challenging to stay connected in your relationships and with the Lord.In this Soul Talk, Bill and Kristi walk us through seven practical spiritual disciplines that have helped them experience more bonding and empathy with God, each other, and their children.Tune in to learn these simple steps to create healthy rhythms that foster deeper relationships and draw you closer to Jesus.Resources for this podcast: Soul Shepherding Spiritual Direction and CoachingSoul Shepherding InstituteJourney of the Soul: Soul Talk CardsYou can read the transcript here. 

Have you ever felt like you’ve missed Jesus in the busyness of the Christmas season?Christmastime is often full of festivities, shopping, distractions, and pressures. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to miss out on moments of enjoyment, relationship, prayer, and meditation that are so essential to the spirit of Christmas.In this Soul Talk, Bill and Kristi share with us some of their family’s Christmas traditions, and tangible, fruitful ways that we can joyfully find and focus on Christ, even in a secular culture and in the face of whatever we might be carrying into the holiday season with us.Resources for this episode: Surprising Joy Advent CardsYou can read the transcript here.

How can we be thankful if we’re in a season where we don’t feel thankful? We may even be experiencing trials or grief and feeling downright bad!Being thankful and experiencing feelings of grief, anger, or dissatisfaction are not opposed to each other. We don't have to deny our pain or suffering in order to express gratitude to God. In fact, true thankfulness comes from being emotionally honest about both the good and bad things we’re experiencing.In this Soul Talk, BiIll and Kristi walk us through how our hearts and souls can have a truly thankful posture no matter what we are experiencing.  Resources for this episode:Soul Shepherding's Sr. Spiritual Directors Soul Shepherding Institute Click here to read a transcript of this episode

Celebrate the birth of Jesus with our Advent resource! These inspiring cards give you a fresh experience of celebrating the birth of Jesus. You’ll enter into the story of the first Christmas with 15 different characters.

Check out our online Sabbatical Guide course! Our program has everything you need to experience rest and renewal on your sabbatical.We have Sr. Spiritual Directors waiting and ready to listen to you with empathy and confidentiality! On the Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual Director's page, you can find out more and book an appointment.We love hearing from you! Contact Us and share how Soul Talks has impacted your life and relationships.Sign-up to receive Soul Shepherding’s weekly blog email!