Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

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

You listen to people's hurts and needs and feel genuine compassion for them. Yet giving too much empathy to others drains you and creates a deficit in your own soul. Thankfully, you can learn how to trust Jesus when helping others instead of trying too hard to be Jesus for them.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi teach how to let go of codependent patterns and offer healthy and helpful empathy. You'll learn how to protect yourself from compassion fatigue by paying attention to the cycle of codependency, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritizing soul care.Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us long to have a flourishing relationship with Jesus — experiencing his bottomless love for us as we walk through life with him. Yet it's easy to get discouraged when going deeper with Christ doesn't look or feel like we assumed it would. Thankfully you can learn the ways of authentic intimacy through empathy practices with God and others. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss their unique journeys to cultivating a deep connection with Jesus. You will learn how you can develop heartfelt closeness with the Good Shepherd by meditating on his emotions in the Gospels, agreeing with his grace through self-empathy, and embracing his loving care for you through others. 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

It's easy to think that some people are empathetic while others are not. And it's true that empathy comes more instinctively to some than others. But did you know that Jesus created your brain for empathy? This means that all of us naturally long to share the experience of being seen and known by God and each other.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the gift of mirror neurons — brain cells that help us "feel with" those around us. You'll learn how to partner with Jesus to reflect the thoughts and feelings of others back to them by asking curious questions, attuning to their emotions, and being a warm presence.Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Research shows that only 36% of people can identify their emotions as they're experiencing them. Yet learning to feel and share authentically is the path to closeness and connection. This means your emotions and experiences (even the painful ones) are actually invitations to be deeply loved by God and others. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks to celebrate the launch of Bill and Kristi's new book, Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God's Great Empathy for You. They share wisdom on empathy that will help your relationships grow in intimacy, depth, and health. Plus you'll hear how you can enter to win a free copy of Deeply Loved.Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouEnter to win a free copy of Deeply LovedMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Some Christians are skeptical about empathy, mistakenly assuming that it coddles others and reinforces sinful behavior. Yet genuine empathy (even when we sin) helps us understand our struggles and strengthens us to grow in Christlikeness. Thankfully, loving and healthy empathy is modeled all over the Bible and not only comforts us but leads us toward truth and responsibility.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi address concerns you might hear about empathy in some Christian circles. You'll discover fresh insights from the empathy scriptures they teach in their new book, Deeply Loved, and learn the importance of holding others in God's empathy while the Spirit draws them toward transformation.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

Discover how getting stuck in your thoughts can leave you feeling detached and lonely. The hosts delve into the power of empathy, vulnerability, and self-acceptance in enriching relationships. They share how genuine emotional connection can foster personal growth and deepen intimacy. By exploring the importance of receiving and reflecting God's empathy, listeners learn to embrace their emotions and communicate openly, transforming their connections with others. The conversation highlights the journey to emotional intelligence and fulfilling relationships.