Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

Our stories are powerful. We make sense of our own soul stories as we find ourselves in God and his story becomes our story. Living reflectively, engaging curiosity, and cultivating a calm presence requires slowing down in our ordinary, day to day existence, so our story is woven together with Jesus.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk with Rich Villodas about his new book, Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World. You’ll be encouraged to live out of your true center, practicing abiding in Jesus, the calmest presence of all. As we live the contemplative life, Jesus himself enters our wounds, redeeming our stories so we can become wounded healers.Resources for this Episode:Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured WorldEnneagram and Emotions ResourcesSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding NetworkEarn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction

Weariness, compassion fatigue, and burnout are the natural result of statistics like these: 44% of pastors are not taking a regular day off, let alone a sabbath day, 63% are not getting enough exercise based on the recommended minimum, 31% get no exercise at all, and 85% of pastors have never taken a sabbatical. We need the renewal that comes from truly resting in God’s presence.  Tune in to Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack our universal need for rest. You’ll receive practical tips for real rest through relational and individual disciplines that you can practice anywhere to draw in close to the Lord. Even small moments of time throughout your day can become opportunities for restorative intimacy with Jesus.Resources for this Episode:Sabbaticalguide.comSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. CoachesBreath Prayer Guides

Spiritual rest in God’s presence is so important for our mental health. Yet sometimes we avoid true rest because we fear the influx of unprocessed emotional distress that rises up when we create space to slow down. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi examine the importance of rest for our mental health. Jesus set boundaries to care for his own soul by resting and prioritizing intimacy with his Abba. You can train in real rest with Jesus that invigorates you, focuses you, and makes you emotionally alive in order to flourish in your work, relationships, and ministry. Resources for this Episode:Soul Shepherding InstituteThe Mental Health CollectiveSoul Shepherding NetworkSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. CoachesSabbatical Guide and Sabbatical CoachingEnneagram & Emotions Video CourseHealthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramSoul Shepherding Enneagram Resources

How is therapy different from spiritual direction? How do I know which one I need? Understanding the difference is important, especially when there are not enough professionals to meet the growing mental health need. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore the distinctives and overlap between therapy and spiritual direction. While mental health disorders require the skills and training of a therapist for diagnosis and treatment, many of the things we often associate with therapy can be discussed in spiritual direction. Emotions, anxiety, discouragement, relationship problems, distress, conflict, and hurt can be processed with a spiritual director in a prayerful, safe, and confidential space where you can be emotionally honest and receive the care and love of Jesus.Resources for this Episode:Soul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. CoachesSpiritual Direction Training CertificateHealthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramEnneagram & Emotions CourseSoul Shepherding Enneagram Resources

We can use spiritual disciplines in ways that are healing and helpful or in ways that are ineffective and toxic for our mental health. If we deny or negate our emotions, disciplines are not helpful because they disconnect our deeper self from God and from other people.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the mental health benefits of customized spiritual disciplines. If practiced with emotional honesty, spiritual disciplines tailored to your personality can help you become more aware of your emotions, needs, brokenness, and sin so you can confess them, ask for what you need, and receive compassion and grace where you need it most.Resources for this Episode:Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramEnneagram & Emotions CourseSoul Shepherding Enneagram Resources

When anxiety grips us, it can feel like the walls are closing in. Anxiety disorders affect 31% of Americans, and all of us will experience anxiety and stress overload at some point in our lives. Even though this feels like an inescapable part of life, it is possible to experience freedom from anxiety! Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore anxiety and panic attacks. Though it is common to think avoiding triggers is the answer, anxiety presents an opportunity from the Lord to dig deeper into underlying emotions. You will understand the roots of anxiety, find pathways for dealing with these feelings, and access the support you need. You don’t have to let anxiety limit your life.Resources for this Episode:Soul Shepherding’s Enneagram & Emotions CoursePre-order Healthy Feelings, Thriving FaithSoul Shepherding InstituteSpiritual Direction Training ProgramSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. Coaches

Many Christians are told their depression is a lack of faith, and if they only think differently and trust God their depression will go away. This sort of shaming holds us back from getting the help we need. Mental health conditions affect our ability to access our insight, intelligence, and brainpower and can disconnect us from God.  Depression is paralyzing, but action is curative.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi help us understand depression. You’ll learn about the spectrum of depression and various interventions that help so you can join Jesus in his love and ministry to those suffering in this way.Resources for this Episode:Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. CoachesSpiritual Direction Training CertificateCoaching Training Program

Suicide is an issue that isn’t often discussed in church. Yet it is the 12th leading cause of death in the US and the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-19. As soul shepherds, we have an opportunity to compassionately love those struggling with mental health challenges, and most tenderly, anyone who is suicidal.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss suicide and God’s mercy for the hurting. You will learn some warning signs of suicide, ways to check in with someone who is struggling, and steps to get them help. As we care for those in a vulnerable state, we want to minister God’s kindness, empathy, and love to them.Resources for this Episode:Soul Shepherding Institute

When you picture Jesus looking at you, do you see a smile? Many of us find we project a frown or a distant look on the face of God. But Jesus’ shining face is looking at you with a smile of love, and you can learn to see it! Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the shelter of Jesus’ smiling face against the attacks of the enemy. Reflecting on an older translation of Psalm 31:20, they share the importance of agreeing with God’s grace and the challenges we face with that based on our stage of faith and our personality. You’ll learn ways of training to overcome unhealthy aspects of your personality that limit you from seeing his smile for you.Resources for this Episode:Soul Shepherding InstituteHealthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the Enneagram

Areas of stress are opportunities for the enemy to drive us down. The father of lies takes something that is true and twists it into a half-truth with a lie embedded in it, hitting us right in the most vulnerable parts of our personality. Yet, with God as our shield, we can refute the lies of the enemy!Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share personally about recent attacks from the enemy. Understanding our emotions is the key to understanding our personality, particularly the four core emotions of anger, shame, anxiety and sadness. By working through those emotions we grow in self-awareness, intimacy with Jesus, and the ability to wake up and reject the lies of the enemy.Resources for this Episode:Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramBreath Prayer Guides