the REALIFE Practice Podcast

How do we practically approach our life with God in our ordinary, everyday life? In this episode, we’re introducing a new series on crafting a Rule of Life. Most of us already have one through the ways we structure our days and make yes/no decisions, but the invitation is to become intentional and discern it with God. We’ll talk about how this can be a life-giving practice as we build the structur...

Today, we’re sharing one of our signature spiritual formation tools: oneLife Maps. OneLife Maps is a set of eight guided spiritual maps that help you explore your life story—from “My Life Now” through “Following Forward”—including peak and valley experiences and spiritual practices, and they can be used personally, in groups, or with clients in coaching or spiritual direction. We share how each of...

How can we create a welcoming space within ourselves so we can invite others into the presence of Christ? In this episode, we’ll explore how John 15 shows us what it means to make our home in Jesus, and how this relates to the practice of hospitality. We also explore this inner “at-home” posture—safe, unhurried, free from performing—using Margaret Guenther’s book Holy Listening , which frames spir...

What is it about sitting around a table together that helps others feel welcome, safe, and seen? In this episode, we continue our series on hospitality with a focus on gathering around the table. This often starts with creating consistent, realistic rhythms of eating together as a family and using table time for sharing, slowing down, and even having hard conversations in a safe space. We also dis...

How can hospitality be something we do as a spiritual practice? In this episode, we’re introducing a new series expanding hospitality beyond entertaining or having a “gift” for hosting. We talk about hospitality as creating a safe, open space where friends or strangers can experience the welcoming spirit of Christ, drawing on definitions and quotes from Adele Calhoun’s Spiritual Disciplines Handbo...

What does it look like to continue to grow and learn, even in your 80s? In this episode, we’re closing out the “Seasons of Formation” series with our mentors Dick and Sybil Towner. The Towners share their faith journeys and vocational shifts–including Dick entering vocational ministry at 40, moving to Willow Creek in their mid-50s, and later taking over a failing retreat center in southern Indiana...

How do we embrace God’s invitation to come out of hiding and embrace the reality of our life? In this episode, Lindsay is sharing her spiritual formation journey and what God is inviting her into in her current life season. Lindsay, 43, is married to Tyler, a lead pastor, and they have 11-year-old adopted twin daughters. She also serves as Spiritual Formation Director at The REALIFE Process and re...

What does it look like to slow down and give space for both grief and creativity? In this episode, Teresa is sharing her story as we continue our series on seasons of formation. Teresa reflects on her faith journey and transitions from childhood to being exposed to more diverse backgrounds in college, and how ongoing experiences of grief, loss, and lament became a long-term theme in her formation....

What might God form in us when we walk in seasons we would not have chosen? In this episode, we continue our series on seasons of formation by talking with Lori Shoults, a spiritual director in her late 50s with three adult children and growing grandchildren. Lori shares how her early faith was traditional and knowledge-based, but a significant question from posed to her in her early 40s opened a...

In this special REALIFE Practice podcast episode, we’ll walk through how to engage with your life story as part of our seasons of formation series, so you can gain insight and experience transformation in your life now. We’ll talk about our tool of oneLife Maps—especially the “My Life Story” map—and invite you to create a timeline of significant events, people, places, dreams, and losses, then go...

How does faith and spiritual practice transition in later decades of life? In this episode, we welcome Mark Ross, a REALIFE Process® Certified Coach as he explores life with God as he approaches his 70s. He shares his story of coming to faith as a teenager through Young Life, experiencing renewed growth in his late 20s through Bible-centered church teaching, and discovering his gift of encourageme...

What does it look like to make a big transition in mid-life, and how does this impact life with God? In this episode, we continue our series on seasons of spiritual formation across decades by welcoming Jim Carroll, who transitioned from nearly 30 years in physical therapy to serving as a campus pastor. Jim shares how midlife questions like “Is this all there is?” led to a process of discernment a...

What do you do when a seasonal practice ends and routines shift? As we move from the season of Lent into Eastertide, we explore how our spiritual practices might change. Whether we return to old patterns or try something new, the change of season invites a new rhythm. We share the importance of naming simple “non-negotiable” daily practices and building spiritual habits into existing rhythms and t...

What does life with God look like in the middle of a hectic family life? In this episode, we’re kicking off a series of interviews with people in different decades and seasons of life. Today we’re welcoming Lucas Golden, a worship pastor, father, and husband in his thirties. Lucas describes a steady faith shaped by long-term community, mentors, and shared church life, and he shares how parenting f...

How do stages of life and seasons of formation impact our faith journey? In this new series we’ll explore how recurring questions show up in seasons of transition and are part of spiritual life. We discuss the intersection of stages of faith and decades of life (twenties, thirties, midlife, and beyond), noting they can coincide but don’t always align, and that unanswered questions often resurface...

How can a Rule of Life help you practice slowing in your everyday life? A Rule of Life is not a strict set of rules but a gentle guide or rhythm that supports abiding with God. The truth is, we ALL have a Rule of Life, whether we have named it or not. But if we intentionally put practices and structures in place in our everyday routines and rhythms, it can become like a trellis for a vine—structur...

How might your schedule both help AND hinder your practice of slowing? We describe slowing as an internal posture—living from rest, not rush—while also naming external, intentional choices that help create margin and space to be present to yourself and to God. We discuss how slowing often starts as a planned habit (like adding 10–15 minute blocks between commitments) and, over time, becomes a natu...

Was Jesus ever in a hurry? In this episode, we continue our conversation on the practice of slowing by considering the life and example of Jesus. Despite his busy life, Jesus maintained a posture of slowness and was present to whoever was right in front of him. We’ll talk about how Jesus' approach to time and presence can be applied to modern life, offering tips for incorporating slowness, such as...

In this new season, we are focusing on the spiritual practice of slowing down. We share our own personal stories and practical tips on how to embrace slowness, especially in a fast-paced world. We’re also sharing some exciting updates about the podcast, and one of our signature tools that is now available in a new format! CLICK HERE for your free resource on ideas and tools for engaging with Slowi...

In this episode, we welcome a special guest, Pastor Tyler Sterchi. Not only is he Lindsay’s husband, but Tyler is also the Lead Pastor of New Hope, which is our local home church! Tyler shares his journey of faith, his experience with Scripture, and how his understanding and engagement with Scripture has evolved over the years. Tyler also offers insights into his sermon preparation process, the ba...

What are some practical ways you can incorporate scripture into your daily routines? In this episode, we’ll discuss a variety of methods, including apps, journaling, structured plans, and more open-ended approaches. We believe it’s important to find what works best for you based on your life season and personal preferences, and we talk all about it in this episode. CLICK HERE for your free resourc...

How can reading and studying scripture in community change our experience of God’s Word? In this episode, we explore how scripture was traditionally meant to be read and interpreted collectively, rather than individually. We talk about the benefits of studying the Bible together to incorporate diverse perspectives and deeper connections in faith. We also give practical suggestions for integrating...

What is the practice of gospel meditation, and how can it bring new life to our study of scripture? In this episode, we explore how this reflective and imaginative approach to reading scripture can help us connect with God on a deeper level. We discuss using imagination to place ourselves within biblical stories, specifically focusing on the story of blind Bartimaeus, and how this practice can be...

How do you read scripture in a way that connects to your heart, and not just your mind? In this episode, we introduce the spiritual practice of Lectio Divina, a transformative way of engaging with scripture at a heart level. We share the practice's five steps: silence, reading, meditating, responding, and contemplating, while sharing personal experiences and tips on how to incorporate this ancient...

S4, Ep. 01 Scripture: Why Scripture is Foundational to our Spiritual Practices Welcome to a new season of the REALIFE Practice Podcast! This season is all about what it means to practice our faith in everyday life by engaging with scripture. In this episode, we discuss the importance of scripture, sharing our personal journeys and experiences. We discuss how there are many creative ways to connect...