Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

When we think about Jesus on the cross, we may only feel pain and shame for our sin and inadequacies. Yet Jesus chose to draw close to us in his humanity to reveal his great love for us!   Tune into this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack the power and beauty of the cross for our daily lives. As you recognize you are unforsaken through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and incarnate life, h...

Shame can leave us feeling worthless and isolated, disconnected from God’s loving presence and the support of friends. We may feel unable to access God’s best gifts and the abilities and capacities he has given us through his grace. Yet the cross of Jesus has the answers for our sin and shame! Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore shame and its effects. You’ll be encour...

Intimacy, communication, and understanding are so important to healthy relationships. We work out the practicalities of our discipleship with God in the context of our human relationships, and we all need at least one soul friendship where we can share vulnerably and be understood. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss how to cultivate understanding, safety, and trust i...

Assessments for our mental, emotional, and spiritual health can give us language to describe our particular experience unique to our personality, stage in life, and situation. A problem well defined is half solved, and assessments are a powerful tool to help us identify problem areas. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore the power of assessments in two areas—adrenaline...

What is discipleship? Often our understanding of discipleship separates our spiritual health from the other aspects of our life which can leave us disintegrated and soul sick. Our first call is to be a disciple of Jesus — ahead of the specific work of our ministry — so we learn to live in full dependence on him. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack whole life disciplesh...

Solitude and silence are essential for deeper submission, trust, and intimacy with the Lord. While our experience of these disciplines may change through different stages of our faith, they remain foundational for us to flourish in life. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share the power of practicing rhythms of solitude and spiritual direction. Together these practices tran...

How can we know we are hearing God’s voice? We may hear a call from the Lord, but often there will be decades between receiving a word or promise and its fulfillment. How do we hold on to faith so we don’t lose heart and give in to doubt among the enemy’s attempts to steal it away? Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack the ways God speaks to us through different stages o...

We may feel called by God to use our gifts, yet experience confusion during seasons of deep discouragement or setback. David, Joseph, and Moses also walked through years of waiting and mystery, wondering about their dreams and calling. Tune in to this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi and Bill discuss the seasons of waiting and discouragement that often accompany God’s calling. You will be encourage...

Many of us have an incredibly strong work ethic, but we don’t have an equally robust rest ethic. The biblical vision of rest as sabbath is the very fabric of creation. Resting is a gift from God just as surely work is a gift from God, so how can we learn to welcome every gift that God has given us? Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill interviews Alan Fadling, author of A Year of Slowing...

It is a challenge to be present to someone’s emotions with empathy while balancing our own emotions and needs. Patterns of codependency often result when we are unaware of our own unmet needs, unresolved disappointments, or stresses. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi continue their conversation about codependency, empathy, and disentangling from codependent relationships. Y...

What is the difference between empathy and codependency? Sometimes our empathy for loved ones can cross over into codependency, rescuing, and trying to protect them from consequences of their choices that are necessary for their growth and maturity. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack empathy and codependency. You will learn from the Scriptural example of carrying some...

Anticipatory grief is often triggered by our own aging, or a loss or grief we know is coming in the future. While these emotions can be robbers that steal the joy of the moment, they can also open us to receive more of God’s grace. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk about healthy and unhealthy ways of handling anticipatory grief. You’ll learn how to acknowledge these co...

Some circumstances we encounter can trigger an “anger allergy”—a strong reaction that may connect to deeper feelings below the surface. Angry emotions are painful and we often want to avoid them, but they are actually a form of intelligence that can help us to grow.  Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack some recent anger allergies and model the importance and process of...

We all need a safe place to be completely authentic, free from the pressure to manage our reputations. We are blessed when we have a person in our life who knows us, listens to us, and seeks the Lord on our behalf. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi discuss the benefits of spiritual direction. You’ll learn how a spiritual director can help you in all seasons of your faith...

Many of us would like to become more thankful, but how do we cultivate grateful emotions? Research has shown the tremendous value of gratitude for our mental health and physical well-being, but in spite of simply trying to think the right thoughts, we may have emotions that could block our ability to feel thankful. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the benefits and...

In the coming season of Advent, we love to celebrate together with friends and family and in times of silence and solitude. You can experience greater depth and intimacy with Jesus during advent by meditating on the biblical accounts of Christ’s birth even in the midst of stressful circumstances. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share which character in the Christmas story...

Our lives are full of distractions— from both the world around us and from our own choices. Seeking to numb out as a medication for worry, fatigue, sadness, or overload robs us of true rest. Jesus invites us to join him in every moment of our day to find true refreshment and life. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi unpack living in a world of distractions versus tuning in...

We may wonder how we find God when our emotions, thoughts, and service are running dry. A season of hitting the Wall might feel like failure, but can actually be God’s means of grace in our lives. We find rest in Jesus’ easy yoke — through practices and sacraments that invite us into renewal with Jesus and his people. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Kristi talks with Aaron Damiani, le...

When we combine God’s word, simple breathing, and a specific need, we discover an effective, engaging, and powerful way to pray— forming a habit that will fill small moments throughout our day with meaningful spots of prayer. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share how practicing breath prayers can help you release stress into the Father’s hands.  You will learn techniques...

In leadership we experience different kinds of suffering, including loneliness, opposition, and spiritual attacks. Shepherding others involves following Christ into his way of blessing and also his suffering. Yet our Risen Savior walks with us through our trials, comforting us with his empathy, presence, and purpose. Tune in to this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack some of the chall...

Many of us have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse ourselves, or care for people who have these wounds. The cycle of abuse can be emotionally and relationally trapping, but the good news is that it can be reversed. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi unpack the dynamics of the cycle of abuse. You’ll learn the necessary steps to break this cycle, increase your...

We are blessed by our pastors who faithfully serve—loving us well, visiting hospitals and homes, counseling, teaching, and preaching. It’s a challenging time to represent Christ formally as a pastor. Often pastors carry the weight of expectations and responsibilities that many of us don’t see or understand. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share encouragement for those in...

Trauma can come in many forms, and all of us have experienced soul wounds. Masking our trauma under addictions—to include busyness— denies and delays the healing the Lord can bring us. We can find courage to face our trauma through connectedness with one another, and connectedness with the redemptive heart of God! Tune into this episode of Soul Talks, where Kristi talks with Evan & Jenny Owens, fo...

What is your source of motivation? Our culture tells us to focus on self-motivation, but Jesus tells us the ultimate power and purpose for our lives comes from our connection with God. Join us for Best Soul Talks as Soul Shepherding’s Director of Operations and Programs, Jessica Stong, shares one of her favorite episodes—229 EQ: The Energy You Need. Bill and Kristi show how you can increase your e...

So much of our lives focus on what we do for God. Yet burnout in ministry is common when we depend on our own strengths, natural gifts, and abilities instead of depending on Jesus. While this often leaves us feeling distant from God, there is hope! Join us for Best Soul Talks as Soul Shepherding’s Director of Operations and Programs, Jessica Stong, shares one of her favorite episodes— 207: How to...