Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

A common misunderstanding in Christianity is that you won’t struggle with mental health issues if you read the Bible and pray. The reality is that we’re all human and factors like trauma, stress, and genetics can lead to wrestling with anxiety or depression. Part of apprenticeship to Jesus is engaging difficult yet valuable inner work to become healthy and loving like him. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss cultivating a resilient faith that will strengthen your emotional resolve and deepen your soul. You’ll learn how to return to joy after experiencing distress by attending to your heart, getting honest with safe friends, and taking courage from Jesus to do hard things. Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Are you feeling bored or restless in your current season with the Lord? It's natural to pursue transition when you feel the itch for something new. Yet all of us know that changing our circumstances doesn't automatically change us. There's often a deeper work of formation and preparation that Jesus desires to accomplish in our lives when he asks us to remain planted.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi teach why moving forward in the Kingdom often looks like staying put. You'll learn how to engage the mundane in a way that cultivates spiritual growth, a healthy soul, and a larger capacity to love Jesus and others. Resources for this Episode:Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual GrowthIgnatian Meditation GuidesDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Relationships are complex! All of us carry wounds from our past, get triggered, and unintentionally hurt others. This means that conflict is a normal part of life with others. Thankfully, the presence of Jesus is available to help us repair our hearts and relationships even when navigating complicated dynamics and emotions. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk about the triggers and emotions they experienced from a recent conflict they had with each other. Hearing their story will equip you with a roadmap to handle conflict with Jesus as you grow in self-awareness, attune to his goodness during difficult moments, and learn to see through his eyes of forgiveness and empathy. Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionHealthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

An important part of spiritual growth is learning to be comforted and strengthened by the joy of the Lord. Yet it can be challenging to experience joy in the midst of mundane life and human struggle. All of us can learn from Rabbi Jesus who teaches us to draw joy from Abba that transcends our circumstances. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi ponder Jesus’ invincible joy that endured the poverty of the manger and agony of the cross. You’ll be equipped with spiritual disciplines to help you “take heart” with Jesus and embrace joy through nature, relationships, contemplation, and the hope of redemption. Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Have you ever been trapped in a shame storm? It’s tempting to isolate when feelings of judgment and rejection overwhelm us. But defending against our emotions only becomes a barrier to embracing our greatest need — to be fully seen, known, and loved by Jesus, often through one of his ambassadors. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi offer guidance to help you work through moments of feeling unworthy and unlovable. You’ll become aware of the sadness underneath your shame, learn to express your needs, and take the courage to care for yourself with Jesus and others. Resources for this Episode:Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Explore the intimate dance of prayer likened to a marriage proposal, where vulnerability fosters a deeper connection with God. Discover how asking for our needs can create trust and authenticity in our relationship with Jesus. The discussion highlights the evolution from transactional prayer to heartfelt dialogue, encouraging emotional honesty and empathy. Emphasizing support in ministry, the hosts invite listeners to deepen their spiritual journeys through transformative retreats and stronger connections.

The tension between our need for transformation and our inability to make it happen can leave us feeling helpless. Thankfully change doesn’t happen as a result of our own strength. It's through acknowledging our weakness that we develop a greater dependency on God's revolutionary love, care, and power.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi chat with John Ortberg — pastor, speaker, and author of a new book called Steps: Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough. Their conversation will awaken you to the power of walking out your brokenness with Jesus and others in deep vulnerability and humility. You'll find freedom by learning to live with an attitude that says, "I can't, but God can…I think I'll let him!"Resources for this Episode:Get Your Copy of Steps: Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn’t EnoughLearn More About John’s Ministry called Become NewMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director

All of us experience grief when we fall short of caring for others the way the Good Shepherd perfectly tends to us. It can be especially distressing for parents of adult children to look back and realize how their own lack of wholeness wounded their kids. Thankfully, there's hope for redemption! We can pray for their wounds to become sacred and create an unquenchable longing for Jesus in their hearts.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi comfort and encourage parents who feel overcome by regret. Not only can you trust Jesus to heal your children — you can meet the "God of all comfort" in your own brokenness as he redeems your hurt and transforms you into a wounded healer. Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding RetreatSecure: Letters From Papa to Help Moms Nurture Their Child’s DevelopmentEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us likely know somebody whose relationship with Jesus seems to be collapsing like a house of cards. It’s difficult to trust God when a loved one deconstructs — we could find ourselves anxiously searching for solutions or lost in despair. Yet it brings comfort to remember that our Prodigal Father is furiously loving and always working in the hearts of those who appear to be walking away from Christ.  Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share heartfelt empathy for you and your loved ones who are deconstructing. You will be moved to faithfully love those struggling in their faith and equipped to journey with them in the Spirit of Jesus. Plus, a powerful time of prayer will stir your faith for reconstruction to rise out of the ruins of deconstruction. Resources for this Episode:Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual GrowthEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Jesus’ suffering on the cross can make it seem like God is distant or mean. And it becomes hard to authentically trust God’s feelings toward us if we see him as someone who turned away from his own son. Thankfully, looking at the crucifixion with spiritual eyes shows us that Jesus is not only unforsaken at the cross — he’s deeply loved.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share incredible insight about Jesus’ interaction with his Papa during his suffering and death. Seeing Abba’s care for Jesus as he took humanity’s sin upon himself will encourage you to draw love, strength, comfort, and joy from your Father in the middle of your brokenness and shame. Resources for this Episode:Unforsaken: Journey with Jesus on the Stations of the CrossAttend a Soul Shepherding Institute RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks