Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

You’ve likely experienced the messiness that comes with conflict in close relationships. All of us are human — meaning we each have unique hurts, emotions, needs, and perceptions that we bring to difficult conversations. It’s tempting to hide our hearts from each other for the sake of “moving on.” Yet this misguided attempt to protect the relationships that matter most only creates a distance that ultimately weakens our connection. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the importance of strengthening relationships through rupture and repair. You’ll get equipped to move toward the “hard” in relationship with emotional honesty, empathy for those who’ve hurt you, and the patience to stay present as you grow in understanding yourself and others.  Resources for this Episode: Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for You Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us experience times when the same grace that flows through us to others is hard to grasp for ourselves. Sadly our thoughts often slander us the same way religious bullies insulted Jesus: “You saved others but you can't save yourself” (Matthew 27:42 paraphrased). Thankfully we don't have to drown in shame — we can take heart from Jesus on the cross as he leads us into deeper experiences of grace. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi help us become more enthralled with Jesus this Holy Week. You'll experience him more personally and empathetically as you share in his experience of spiritual and emotional anguish on the cross. The Suffering Savior invites you to borrow his faith and trust that God is with you, loving you, and pleased with you as you grow in union with God and mature to become more like him.  Resources for this Episode: Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Unforsaken: Journey with Jesus on the Stations of the Cross Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

You love the people around you and desire to support them — but your soul is also drained. It's common for those of us who are tender-hearted, sensitive, and attuned to others' needs to struggle with compassion fatigue. Thankfully we can learn to steward the gift of empathy Jesus has given us by setting boundaries and practicing soul care.​ Join us for this episode of Soul Talks for part three of a teaching Bill and Kristi shared at the American Association of Christian Counselors. It's impossible to overflow with empathy for others unless it's a wellspring in your own soul. You'll learn when and how to offer empathy and get equipped with practices (like Calming Touch Prayer and Empathy Prayer) so that your care remains healthy and fruitful. Resources for this Episode: The Bible studies, research, diagrams, and practices referenced in this episode can be found in our book Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for You If you’d like Bill and Kristi to speak at your conference, event, or church, you can email contact@soulshepherding.org. You might also: Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

It's painful and overwhelming when stress, hurt, or trauma triggers us emotionally and affects our well-being. Often this leads us to pull away — judging our emotions, hiding our needs, and distancing ourselves from others. Sadly this keeps us from the empathy we desperately need to heal and recover. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks for part two of a message Bill and Kristi shared at the American Association of Christian Counselors. You'll see how empathy — both from Jesus and his ambassadors — leads to healing and fosters healthy qualities such as forgiveness, satisfaction, and resilience. The lost parts of you can be found by the Good Shepherd as you become restored in his acceptance, love, and care. Resources for this Episode: Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for You Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Many of us grew up in an empathy desert and missed out on being seen, known, and loved. Sadly, a lack of being understood and accepted often unintentionally creates emotional distance in our churches, friendships, and even our relationship with God. We might fail to realize that we can’t become more loving and healthy like Jesus without the grace of empathy. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks to listen to part one of a talk that Bill and Kristi shared at the American Association of Christian Counselors Conference. You’ll see that empathy is more than just a listening skill — it’s an expression of love that helps us cultivate the secure attachment necessary to persevere through trials and grow in Christlikeness. Resources for this Episode: The Bible studies, research, diagrams, and practices referenced in this episode can be found in our book Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for You If you’d like Bill and Kristi to speak at your conference, event, or church, you can email contact@soulshepherding.org. You might also: Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks  

The demands of life and ministry have taught most of us to prioritize doing over being. Yet eventually we realize that “trying harder” doesn’t satisfy our deepest longing for a flourishing relationship with Jesus. Thankfully the Good Shepherd meets us at “the end of ourselves” and invites us into spacious places of renewal. ​Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi talks to Ron Thompson, a pastor with 30+ years of experience who also serves as a Sr. Spiritual Director on our staff. Ron shares how coming on a Soul Shepherding retreat helped him become enthralled with Jesus, find freedom from depression, and transform how he cares for others in partnership with Christ. Friend, we pray that you can also go deeper in Jesus’ grace on a retreat.  Resources for this Episode: Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Let’s be honest —  we’re not always naturally drawn toward the suffering of Jesus and his death on the cross. Yet all of us know the experience of struggling through hardship, loss, and distress. Where can we turn to find comfort and strength when we feel crushed underneath the weight of spiritual wrestling, emotional turmoil, or physical pain?Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi ​help reorient you to the surprising joy found at the cross. You’ll learn how Jesus’ empathy for suffering can become your secret source of strength — finding consolation in sharing the same closeness and comfort that he does with the Father.(This episode highlights the Take Heart devotionals we read and discuss each morning over breakfast during Soul Shepherding retreats. You can receive a copy of the devotional read today by sending a donation of any amount to Soul Shepherding! The link is below ⬇️)Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatUnforsaken: Journey with Jesus on the Stations of the CrossDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us long to know with confidence the love and forgiveness that Jesus poured out at the cross. Yet we remain distant from this deeper experience of grace when we lose touch with our bottomless need for Christ or become paralyzed by shame. Thankfully Jesus doesn’t beat us over the head with the cross — he gently woos us back with his unfailing mercy.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi ​reflect on a poetic portrayal of the cross from Johann Gerhard, an author of classic Christian devotion. This discussion will help you personalize the cross as you experience Jesus bending down to kiss you, opening his arms to embrace you, and offering you his heart of passion and delight.(This special episode highlights the Take Heart devotionals we read and discuss each morning over breakfast during Soul Shepherding retreats. You can receive a new devotional sent to your inbox each month by setting up a recurring donation with Soul Shepherding!)Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Dallas Willard taught us that Jesus offers us a life without lack in the Kingdom of God. But what do we do when experiencing the real pain of unmet needs, unhealed wounds, and unanswered prayers? You can learn to pause and pray — bringing your distresses and desires to Jesus to cultivate a peace and rest that’s rooted in his gentle love, wise leadership, and fierce faithfulness.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk about following Jesus through the many terrains of the spiritual journey. Praying and meditating on this Dallas-inspired paraphrase of Psalm 23 from will help you trust the Good Shepherd as he leads you into deeper union with God.(If you want to go deeper into Psalm 23 and the insights we gained from Dallas Willard, we invite you to join us on a retreat or train to become a spiritual director with Soul Shepherding. You can learn more by following the links below.)Resources for this Episode:Your Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live EmpoweredJoin Our Free Devotional Email ListAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

It’s true that our best efforts are good and effective — we are beautifully and wonderfully created by God, after all. Yet it’s easy to slip into self-reliance and try to “make things happen” in our own strength. Instead, we can learn to keep watch with Jesus as we work, joining God’s presence and activity all around us.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share how learning to trust God, instead of relying solely on their own best efforts, transformed their apprenticeship to Jesus and helped them grow in emotional and relational health. This subtle shift in thinking will change how you approach life and ministry — especially during stress, trials, and conflict. You’ll be equipped with a lifelong practice to help you release control to God and find joy in creative partnership with the Good Shepherd.(If you want to go deeper into the insights we gained from Dallas Willard, we invite you to join us on a retreat or train to become a spiritual director with Soul Shepherding. You can learn more by following the links below.)Resources for this Episode:Your Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live EmpoweredAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks