Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

Do you struggle to share your "big" emotions with God and others? Many of us are tempted to hide our feelings because we fear being "too much" or feel ashamed at some of the attitudes that lie underneath our hurts. Yet this keeps us from receiving the grace that all of our souls desperately need. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill listens to Kristi with empathy and helps her see how her emotional honesty is a blessing to her relationship with God and those around her. You'll be equipped to integrate thinking with your feelings as you find safe people (like a spiritual director or soul friend) who can help you sort through your emotions as you become more healthy and whole like Jesus.Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Most of us experience our dreams as a collection of random events that leave us feeling confused or distressed. But what if your dreams were more than something to brush off? Inviting the Spirit of Jesus into your dreams can spark deep conversation with him and lead to emotional health. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi model a surprisingly easy and helpful method for discerning the psychological and possible spiritual meaning of your dreams. Through prayer and the help of others (e.g., a spiritual director or soul friends on retreat), you can learn to draw from the wisdom and direction that come to you in your sleep.Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDream Interpretation ResourceDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

The birth of Jesus changed history forever, yet it might not feel very personal in your heart. Let's be honest — it's easy for Advent to become white noise. Thankfully you can have a fresh experience with Jesus when you enter the story through the eyes of a "soul friend" like Mary, Elizabeth, or even one of the animals!Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi and Briana talk about becoming enthralled with Jesus during Christmastime through Surprising Joy Advent cards. You'll be inspired to get intentional about prayerful meditation and conversation with loved ones this Advent as you experience the impact it has made and continues to make on their family today.Resources for this Episode:Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for AdventAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul TalksRead Elizabeth’s Empathy Cured Mary’s Shame*The Surprising Joy Advent cards will be 20% off along with all the books and resources in the Soul Shepherding shop. The sale starts on Black Friday (Nov. 28th at 12am Pacific) and lasts through Cyber Monday (Dec. 1st at 11:59pm Pacific).

What comes to mind when you think of God's posture toward you? All of us long to know for certain that Abba looks at us with eyes of love, but it's easy to project our own judgment and rejection onto his heart for us. Yet Jesus reconciles the love of God to us through his empathy and desires that we become familiar with his loving gaze of delight.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi get practical about cultivating a loving friendship with Jesus. You'll be blessed with fresh insight into scriptures that ooze Jesus' empathy as you're equipped with help to nourish your soul through his ever-deepening love and care.Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks*Please note: You'll receive the BOGO discount on Deeply Loved by adding two copies to your cart in our shop. This sale runs until November 27, 2025. Click the link above to get this special deal.

Explore the transformative power of self-empathy amidst self-criticism. Discover how God's protective love offers a counter-narrative to inner harshness. Learn practical prayers that invite love and shield you from judgment in vulnerable moments. Bill and Kristi highlight the importance of empathy in relationships, showing how it fosters healing. Dive into personalized discipleship, addressing common emotional struggles and inviting God's grace into your daily challenges. Finish with a heartfelt prayer for protection from shame and negativity.

Parents have an amazing opportunity to reflect the nature of God to their children. Yet the thought of shaping the way our kids come to see and know him sometimes feels like an overwhelming responsibility. How could anybody represent what our loving Papa is like? Thankfully Jesus redeems our mistakes, helps us in our weakness, and teaches us to support our children through empathy.  Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi talks with Briana about how Jesus wants to help you parent your children through his great empathy. You'll learn how to use empathy to pray for your kids, point them to God, and advocate for their needs in a unique and loving way. Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatSecure: Letters From Papa to Help Moms Nurture Their Child’s DevelopmentDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Those of us with children understand there is no parenting blueprint or path to “get it right” all the time. This can lead us to shy away from offering empathy as we become afraid of enabling poor behavior or stealing opportunities for them to build resilience. Yet it’s empathy — even imperfect empathy — that empowers us to help our children through grace and truth.  Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi chats with Briana about some empathy challenges in parenting and how to bounce back when you miss the mark. You’ll learn practical tools to care for your children through empathy in a way that helps them rise to the challenge of growth and independence. And this is helpful in all of our closest relationships — not just with kids! Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouSecure: Letters From Papa to Help Moms Nurture Their Child’s DevelopmentDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Empathy is valuable in all our relationships, but it's especially important when it comes to raising children. All of us long for our kids to love Jesus and fulfill his unique purposes for them. How can we help them get there? Empathy helps our children become secure and confident as they pursue Jesus and fullness of life in him.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi talks with her daughter, Briana, about what it was like to be raised in a home that practiced empathy. You'll learn practical ways to cultivate spiritual and emotional health in your family through simple means like intentional conversation at the dinner table and pursuing your children after conflict. And don't worry —  being present is better than being perfect when it comes to empathy and family.Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouHealthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks 

All of us are quick learners when it comes to fear and trauma, and because of this, have developed strategies to survive the landscapes of our childhood. Some of us anxiously protect our relationships while others avoid connection and become self-reliant. Thankfully you can follow the Good Shepherd into a new landscape — the pasture of secure attachment. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi chat with Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw — teachers, podcasters, and authors of Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection. You'll discover how to integrate intimacy and independence under Jesus' care to cultivate the same healthy attachment he experienced with the Father and others.Resources for this Episode:Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and ConnectionAttaching to God SummitDeeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us long to open the Bible and have a meaningful conversation with Jesus. But learning to be with God through his Word feels more challenging than ever in a fast-paced world where answers are always at our fingertips. Thankfully there are tested-and-true spiritual disciplines that can help us slow down and soak up the grace-filled words of Scripture.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill chats with Steve Macchia — a spiritual director who helps leaders prioritize spiritual formation and the author of a new book titled Praying the Parables: A 40-Day Devotional Journey in Word and Image. You'll become enthused to approach Jesus' parables curiously through Lectio Divina as a fresh affection for him bubbles up in your heart and mind. Resources for this Episode:Praying the Parables of Jesus: A 40-Day Devotional Journey in Word and ImageConnect With Steve MacchiaLearn More About Leadership TransformationsLectio Divina GuidesAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks