Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

Depression makes us feel like we are walking around in a heavy darkness that will never get better. Judging our faith—or receiving criticism from others—only worsens the suffocating pit of sadness and grief. Thankfully, our Good Shepherd knows how to lead us through the darkest valleys.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpackage the true meaning of faith—authentic trust in Jesus that grows as you persevere through trials by walking with him. You’ll learn how tools like honesty, empathy, spiritual friendship, and sometimes therapy help you work through depression and renew your confidence in Christ. Resources for this Episode:Meet with a Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorHealthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramEnneagram & Emotions CourseDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Many of us are familiar with the “control disease”  called anxiety. Some of us attempt to rule over outcomes while others try to manage their image. But anxiety isn’t a conscious choice—it happens when we deny our emotions brewing under the surface and get overloaded. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpackage the sources and symptoms of anxiety. They turn to the Psalms as a model to show you how to process repressed emotions and access the best remedy for anxiousness—trusting Jesus with all your soul!Resources for this Episode:Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramEnneagram & Emotions CourseYour Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live EmpoweredDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Sadly, many of us have been taught that fear is wrong or even a sin. A faulty or incomplete interpretation of certain scriptures can lead us to stuff our fears, force ourselves to think positively, and try hard to muster up faith. Rest assured, there is a better route to a healthy and thriving confidence in Christ.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack what faith in relationship with Jesus really looks like. Their well-rounded and biblical approach to overcoming fear will help you get emotionally honest, receive the support you need, and empower you to act with your fearless Savior!Resources for this Episode:Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramAttend a Soul Shepherding Institute RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

For many, church has had both helpful and harmful effects on their mental health. Church hurt is especially disorienting and sadly leads some to completely give up on Jesus’ body. But it is encouraging that studies show church is overall positive for mental health as God uses his family to bring reparative healing and growth to his beloved children.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share their experience with church and mental health—both their personal story and work with ministry leaders who are learning and teaching psychologically healthy faith. You will discover how valuable church is to a flourishing soul and take courage to engage in communal spiritual practices. Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute RetreatMeet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorHealing Prayer: For Emotional & Physical WholenessDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

It’s common to think life with Jesus should be centered only around activities perceived as “spiritual”—devotions, prayer, going to church, etc. But healthy and whole apprenticeship to Jesus is an integrated life in Christ! This includes engaging and caring for our physical bodies to love God, ourselves, and others like Jesus does.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi teach the importance of valuing your body—God’s dwelling place—in spiritual formation. You will learn how to bring your whole soul into harmony with God’s kingdom through intentional stewardship of your body and incorporating spiritual disciplines into your physical life.  Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute RetreatBreath Prayer GuidesDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

The idea of abandoning ourselves to God can feel scary. Our broken and wounded parts unconsciously hesitate to surrender, unsure how safe it is to trust the Lord with everything. Thankfully, Abba leads the way! He sacrificially abandoned himself to us in love by giving his One and Only Son.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi help you get caught up in the thrill of God’s affectionate abandonment. Abba doesn’t force you to surrender—he woos you! You will slowly but confidently come to trust him in every area as you allow yourself to be impacted by his courtship of your heart. Resources for this Episode:Healing Prayer: For Emotional & Physical WholenessMeet with a Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

It’s easy to sink deeper into negative feelings until a bad mood becomes a lousy day or depressing season. Plus, our melancholy moods can drag others into the quicksand with us! Thankfully, Jesus extends his strong and gentle hand to pull us out of this destructive downward spiral.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share how they take heart from Jesus and each other to keep from losing themselves in the traps of self-pity and mood-matching. You will be equipped with tools to help you care for yourself and others when a bad mood strikes and remain present in God’s kingdom of grace.Resources for this Episode:Talk with a Spiritual DirectorEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionHealthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Jesus told powerful stories! He invites us, also, to draw closer to God through the practice of storytelling. It can feel scary to uncover past wounds and questions as we attempt to make sense of our journey. But our Redeemer desires to restore us by helping us see God’s story in our story.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi interviews Dr. Barbara Peacock—spiritual director, teacher, and author of Spiritual Practices for Soul Care: 40 Ways to Deepen Your Faith. You will be encouraged to embrace your whole story as you are empowered with spiritual disciplines to help you see it through God’s eyes.  Resources for this Episode:Spiritual Practices for Soul Care: 40 Ways to Deepen Your FaithSouls on Fire: Black Heroes Who Inspire Devotion to JesusJourney of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual GrowthIgnatian Meditation GuidesBarbara L. Peacock MinistriesDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul TalksReceive a Certificate in Spiritual Direction

We all know the harm our imaginations can do when we live into stories that fall short of God’s best for our lives. But creative thinking can also be a powerful tool in your apprenticeship to Christ.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi teach you how to set your imagination on Jesus and flourish in the reality of his invisible kingdom. Engaging your imagination during prayer and Bible meditation will help you encounter Christ in more personal and fresh ways.Resources for this Episode:Ignatian Meditation GuidesLectio Divina GuidesUnforsaken: Journey With Jesus on the Stations of the CrossVisual Devotion CardsDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

God is reaching out to us in innumerable ways, but the greatest demonstration of his love is through the Incarnation. We often reflect on Jesus’ suffering on the cross but may overlook the suffering he also endured while taking on human flesh and living among us.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss how God’s perfect empathy is revealed in his Incarnation. Meditating on Hebrews 4:15 and focusing on his experiences of suffering will help you find confidence in Jesus’ empathy for you in your trials. As you grow in this grace through community, your wounds can bring healing to others.Resources for this Episode:Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute RetreatEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionEarn a Certificate in CoachingUnforsaken: Journey with Jesus on the Stations of the CrossDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks