The Next Right Thing

At the beginning of the Advent season, it's good to remember the Light. Here's a reflective reading from John 1:1-18, read from The Message version, a translation by Eugene Peterson. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: John 1:1-18 (MSG) Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.  

What a gift it is to be a small part of your Tuesdays over the last five years! As we celebrate 20 million downloads, we're dedicating today's episode to answering your questions. I'll say some words about why I don't give parenting advice, one of my favorite decisions of the last year, how I decided to became a spiritual director, and what is my next right thing. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Episode 167: Spiritual Direction for Beginners Episode 178: How to Find a Spiritual Director Episode 253: The Enneagram and Decision-Making with Suzanne Stabile Receive my monthly newsletter Join the waitlist to be the first to know when The Quiet Collection releases Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

Today I'm glad to welcome back to the show author, artist, and spiritual director, Scott Erickson. We'll talk about one of my favorite Advent resources, his beautiful book Honest Advent. I read it last year and of course didn't finish it in time for Christmas, but I just kept right on reading through the new year, finishing it up in the middle of January and I wasn't a bit mad about it. We'll talk about vulnerability, his own Advent inspiration, and the fascination we both share this time of year. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Find Scott online and on Instagram Honest Advent Add your name to this waitlist, and we'll let you know when the brand-new Quiet Collection for Christmas is available! Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

Today I'm glad to welcome our favorite Enneagram teacher, author Suzanne Stabile, to talk about the three centers of intelligence and how our stances inform our decisions.   Suzanne is a highly sought-after speaker and teacher, known for her personal vulnerability and creative approach to Enneagram instruction. After 25 years of studying the enneagram, learning from people’s stories, cultivating relationships, and learning under Father Richard Rohr, she has become a bestselling author and world-class teacher of the enneagram.   Her most recent enneagram book is called The Journey Toward Wholeness: Enneagram Wisdom for Stress, Balance and Transformation and if you ask me, it's her best one yet. Listen in.     Links + Resources From This Episode: Find Suzanne online and on Instagram The Journey Toward Wholeness by Suzanne Stabile As a bonus for listening, Suzanne's publisher IVPRESS is offering a promo code for 30% off The Journey Toward Wholeness. Simply use code NRT at checkout at ivpress.com for 30% off tod

If you're feeling pulled in all directions, looking for grounding words but unable to form them, here's a short prayer of welcoming some things we need, some things we want, and others we would rather do without. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.    

Today I'm glad to welcome Ruth Haley Barton to the podcast to talk about an important and often misunderstood spiritual practice: sabbath. Ruth has spent over 20 years as a student, a practitioner and a leader in the area of Christian spirituality and spiritual formation. She served on the staff of several churches before founding the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to creating space for God to strengthen the souls of leaders, equipping them to lead transforming communities. Ruth has written several books that have been transformational in my own life, and her most recent release is called Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again which is what I can't wait to talk with her about today. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Ruth's podcast: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on

Doing the next right thing won't necessarily protect us from harm, regret, or embarrassment. But hopefully, it can be a practice that keeps us present, moving, and from being too hard on ourselves. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Souvenirs of Solitude by Brennan Manning Seasons of Your Heart by Macrina Wiederkehr Sign up for my monthly reflection letter Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

What can we learn about listening from other listening professions? I'm not talking about counselors or therapists, but those whose job it is to hear on behalf of someone else. As a former sign language interpreter turned writer and spiritual director, I'm reflecting on how some of my learned skills in one area of study are now informing my life as a listener in a different way. Perhaps some of these same principles can help you in your own discernment processes. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

All the world's a neighborhood and everyone's my neighbor. How to begin to live as such? Today's guest submits it's simple: Start with hello. Today I'm glad to welcome one of my favorite writers and also favorite humans, author Shannan Martin. Her most recent book is called Start With Hello (And other simple ways to live as neighbors). In it, she speaks directly to that part of us that wants to reach out, wants to belong, wants to embody connection with our community in a way that is tangible, accessible, equitable, and with hearts bent toward justice. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Start with Hello by Shannan Martin Falling Free by Shannan Martin The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin Find Shannan on Instagram Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

It's a question often asked and answered by writers and podcasters alike and it’s easy to see why — it’s simple, it’s direct, and it’s deeply thought provoking. Along with making a list of what I'm learning each season, I also love to make note of what's saving my life. Thanks to Barbara Brown Taylor for bringing this question into the public conversation, and to John Claypool to asking it of her so many years ago. So that's today's episode. Listen in.     Links + Resources From This Episode: Leaving Church by Barbara Taylor Brown My Autumn playlist Myquillyn's playlist Hope You Like Banjos Created Colorful - Use code EPF20 for $20 off your consultation (expires Oct. 31, 2022) What the Heck is EOS? by Gino Wickman and Tom Bouwer Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

As one season slowly unfolds into the next, I'm paying attention to some of my work and life rhythms and have discovered one thing that's been holding me back from my next right thing. Maybe it's holding you back, too. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Episode 185: Why Makers Struggle to Get Things Done Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule by Paul Graham Episode 76: Create a Simple Morning Routine Essentialism by Greg McKeown Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

Today I'm glad to explore a topic that doesn't usually make the headlines in our newsfeeds but one that certainly deserves some airtime in our souls. We're talking about lament -- what it is, why it matters, and who some of our best teachers are in this practice. I'm glad to welcome two guests today to help me host this conversation: Natasha Sistrunk Robinson and Mariah Humphries. Links + Resources From This Episode: Voices of Lament Edited by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson Connect with Natasha and Mariah online Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

The news of the passing of a public figure can be both sobering and disruptive, no matter how far removed from us they were. How we navigate the loss of a public figure depends on the age of the one who dies, the manner of their death, and the degree to which we paid attention to their work their art, or their life of service. And it depends on us, our experience and perception of this person and their impact on our individual lives and on the arc of history.   When someone who seemed larger than life stops living, there is often a collective pause and there should be. Today let's consider the strange dynamic of reckoning with the loss of a public figure. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Marcie Alvis Walker's post about Queen Elizabeth II Guerrillas of Grace by Ted Loder Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

The disembodied smoke of regret is nearly impossible to contain, corral, or neatly repackage and conceal. Once it's released, it sticks to the fibers and hangs on for days. Perhaps you can relate. Here is a practice that has helped me not only move through it but also find peace on the other side. Not a perfect peace, but a settled one. I hope it's helpful for you as well.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Episode 79: Find Relief from Regret Conversation: The Sacred Art by Diane M. Millis Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

This conversation would be better had face to face and of course one episode won't eliminate the fear of choosing wrong. But it's a worthy conversation to at least begin here, especially considering how prevalent this fear is among many of us. Let's find clarity around what we're talking about when we say we're afraid of choosing wrong. Listen in.   Links + Resources From This Episode: Holy Listening by Margaret Gunther Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

C.S. Lewis once said to “always prefer the plain, direct word to the long, vague one. Don’t implement promises, but keep them.” What's true for language can also be true for life. Why make something complicated when it can be simple instead? Here are 3 common writing tips given to writers that can be applied to our whole life. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Use code TISH22 for 30% off Liturgy of the Ordinary at ivpress.com LitHub: Should You Write What You Know? 31 Authors Weigh In by Emily Temple The Art and Craft of Writing with Ann Kroeker I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.      

Many parents are saying a big goodbye to their kids moving out of the house for the very first time. This prayer was written specifically with parents of college students in mind, but of course could apply for any parents, caregivers, or guardians sending young people out into the world. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

August is a month of change and one big milestone is moving out of the house to live on your own, whether for college, work, internships, traveling, or just because it's time. This one was written specifically with first-year college students in mind, but of course could apply for any young ones who are grown, moving away from home for the first time. Here's a sending prayer for the journey. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

Five years ago this week, the first episode of The Next Right Thing released. In this five year state of the podcast episode, I’m glad to look back at our beginnings and share the importance of marking milestones. I'll ask (and answer) five questions to ask yourself when you have a milestone moment to mark. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Enter today's giveaway! The Jesus Way by Eugene Peterson Episode 01: Become a Soul Minimalist Simply Tuesday by me! Amy Porterfield Podcast: Why Aren't You Taking Action with Brooke Castillo Episode 88: Come Away for Awhile Episode 167: Spiritual Direction for Beginners Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.  

Today I’m eager to sit with John Freeman, my husband and partner for the last 21 years. We talk about some times of discernment and decision-making in our own marriage, how serving on staff at a church for over a decade prepared him for his work as a spiritual director and what’s on our minds as we prepare to send our twins off to college. If you find yourself standing on a threshold of change, listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Learn more about John's current work Episode 167: Spiritual Direction for Beginners Episode 178: How to Find a Spiritual Director Episode 184: The Next Right Thing in Marriage with John Freeman Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode.