the REALIFE Practice Podcast

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...

What does it look like to practice retreat with other people? In this episode, we continue our discussion on the spiritual practice of retreat, specifically focusing on the concept of experiencing retreats in community. We share insights from personal experiences and provide practical tips on finding or creating community retreats. We'll highlight the importance of setting expectations, using guid...

What do you actually DO while you're on retreat? In this episode, we talk about the logistics of planning a retreat, setting intentions, balancing structured and unstructured time, and effective reentry into everyday life post-retreat. We also discuss the importance of non-judgmental awareness during retreats and offer practical tips for creating meaningful retreat experiences. You'll also learn t...

What are the practical and logistical things that need to happen to plan a retreat? In this episode, we're talking about how to actually make a retreat happen. We discuss the importance of pre-deciding to set retreat dates on your calendar and offer tips on choosing the right environment, managing distractions, and preparing for a meaningful retreat experience. We also highlight the importance of...

When we practice retreat, sometimes we need someone to give us a little guidance on how to start and what to do. In this episode, we’re joined by guests Joan Kelley and Gail Donahue as they share their experiences and insights on facilitating retreats through their ministry, Sacred, which provides guided solitude retreats. We reflect on the significance of creating intentional spaces for rest, ref...

How has the practice of retreat shown up in your own life? In this episode, we’re sharing our personal stories and experiences of spiritual retreat. We talk about youth group retreats and structured programs we’ve done as adults, plus how this has looked in different seasons of our life. We also share practical advice on integrating retreats into your life, even during busy seasons, and how struct...

What is the spiritual practice of retreat, and how can it look in your everyday life? In this episode we discuss the meaning of retreat in a spiritual sense, emphasizing the importance of creating space for connection with God. We’ll explore the different rhythms and environments for retreat, the invitation to withdraw from daily life, and the importance of intentionality. We also preview upcoming...