Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

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

How do we heal, grow, and change as apprentices of Jesus? Many of us have subscribed to the traditional Christian approach of “trying harder” to “believe and do what’s right,” only to find ourselves stuck and discouraged. Thankfully the vision Jesus casts for transformation shows us a different path forward.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share how Dallas Willard’s mantra, “Don’t try — train,” revolutionized their approach to spiritual formation. You’ll burn with a desire to become more loving and healthy and get equipped with a practical tool to help you grow in Christlikeness one area at a time.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:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionYour Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live EmpoweredDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Grace is central to our faith yet its meaning is often confused. Mixed messages can leave us in a tug-of-war between “doing nothing” and “trying harder” to earn God's favor. What is grace actually and how does it affect our daily apprenticeship to Jesus?Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack what they’ve learned about grace from Dallas Willard. Discover how grace can go beyond “undeserved merit” and become fuel for your life, relationships, and ministry. You can set aside pretending, presuming, and pushing to respond to grace and join God’s activity in everything you do! (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

God is with us always — not only in “big” or “spiritual” moments but also during the ordinary challenges of day-to-day life. Yet it’s tempting to think we’re alone when experiencing stress at work, emotional hurt, or relational challenges. How can we become more aware of Jesus’ presence and live a God-saturated life?Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss a transformational vision they caught from Dallas Willard — the Kingdom of the Heavens is open, now! Their conversation will stir you to rethink the kind of life that’s possible with Jesus as you learn practical ways to integrate him into your life, ministry, work, challenges, and relationships. 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 DirectionDeeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for YouJourney of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual GrowthHealthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Explore the transformative teachings on prayer inspired by Dallas Willard. Discover how prayer serves as humble asking, reconnecting us to our dependence on God. Learn to integrate prayer into daily life, merging it with work. Delve into the concept of a praying life, where every action becomes a prayer. The discussion also addresses common misconceptions about the efficacy of prayers and emphasizes developing character alongside power-sharing with God. Reignite your desire for meaningful communication with Jesus.

Praying to become more like Jesus can seem out of reach or surface feelings of shame. Yet growing in Christlikeness is a lifelong journey that includes highs and lows, consolations and desolations, and a range of feelings. Regardless of your current spiritual terrain or emotional challenges, your life can become a school for training with Jesus.​Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi introduce the Apprentice Prayer — a prayer designed to stir your longing for Jesus and paint a picture of what life in the Kingdom of God can look like. This favorite podcast replay will help you connect with Jesus’ grace as you aim to grow and change this new year.Resources for this Episode:Your Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live EmpoweredAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Let’s face it — the chaos of travel, family gatherings, and exchanging presents can cause us to forget the miracle of Christmas. It’s easy to become numb or distracted from the treasure of Jesus. Meditating on Scripture helps us reorient ourselves to the surprising arrival of Immanuel and the stunning reality of his everlasting kingdom.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi unpackages the real gift of Christmas using the beautiful words of the prophet Isaiah. This reflection and prayer will stir your longing for more of Jesus and lead you into deeper worship of the One we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.Resources for this Episode:Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for AdventDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us long to know Jesus’ presence with us as we go about each day. Imagine sharing unbroken intimacy with the Good Shepherd during every mundane moment, challenging circumstance, and distressing emotion you experience. The good news is that Jesus desires to be with you always in the secret place of your innermost soul.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi draw you into the reality that Jesus is with you here and now. You’ll discover practical ways to practice God’s presence (like scripture memorization and breath prayers) and get help sorting through the emotions of your inner world as you move toward abiding in Christ.Resources for this Episode:Breath Prayer GuidesAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

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