The Soul Talks Podcast

In this powerful conversation, Terri Matthews Woodall opens up about the resilience and faith that shaped her journey—from childhood moments of rallying kids to Vacation Bible School for a Barbie doll, to life-changing encounters where obedience to God brought the miraculous. Terri shares candid lessons on honesty, leadership, and trust, revealing how her early experiences prepared her to build bu...

What if the hardest chapters of your life are actually preparation ground?  In this intimate conversation, Terri Mathews Woodall shares how faith reframed her story. From early adversity to hard-won resilience, she has refused to be defined by her past.  Terri opens up about the mindset shifts that moved her from survival to assignment, how she transformed “life isn’t fair” into “I’m being formed”...

In this powerful Soul Talks conversation, Shaun Proulx opens up about the courage it took to come out publicly as HIV positive, the full-circle moment of interviewing Oprah, and the life-changing lessons he’s learned along the way. With humor, honesty, and wisdom, Shaun reminds us to stop beating ourselves up for being human — and shares his simple secret to true happiness. If you’ve ever struggle...

In this inspiring episode of The Soul Talks Podcast, Theresa Bruno sits down with Shaun Proulx—radio and TV host, writer, and storyteller whose journey from a small farm in rural Ontario to the national stage is nothing short of remarkable. Shaun opens up about growing up gay in the 1980s, facing daily bullying and cruelty, and how those early experiences shaped his resilience and authenticity. He...

The Soul Talks Podcast isn’t going anywhere, but its mission is growing. In this special announcement, Theresa Bruno shares how the podcast that began as a way to process her husband’s loss has become a healing space for so many, and why she’s now expanding her work under her own name. Alongside The Soul Talks, Theresa is launching new resources, coaching opportunities, and community spaces design...

In this special bonus update, Theresa shares a quick message with listeners before heading into the Labor Day weekend. Soul Talks is taking a short break, but will be back after the holiday with an exciting announcement about what’s next for the platform. Theresa also reflects on a recent encounter that reminded her of the power of connection and the faithfulness of this community. Thank you for l...

In this episode of Soul Talks, Ruth shares her journey of faith, family, and the unexpected calling that led her to write a book she once swore she’d never write. From flipping houses and raising kids to being challenged by her uncle to seek “a vision beyond your resources,” Ruth opens up about the struggles of imposter syndrome, divine appointments that shaped her path, and how she discovered her...

Nine moves in a single year. Financial strain. A new marriage. And an unexpected conversation with her mother before she passed away that changed everything. In this Soul Talks episode, Ruth McKeaney shares how she and her husband turned chaos into connection. And how her mother’s faith and perspective shaped the way she sees life, love, and what truly matters. 🛎️ Subscribe for more soulful conver...

In this heartfelt opening conversation, Theresa sits down with author and speaker Ruth McKeaney to explore what it truly means to be "Hungry for Home". Ruth shares stories from her own journey: from building a family mission statement with her husband, to creating an intentional family culture, to learning that hospitality is far more about love than perfection. With humor, wisdom, and deep faith,...

On a peaceful summer retreat, Theresa takes you along on her morning hike to reflect on the beauty of nature and the way it guides us toward gratitude. Surrounded by streams, rocks, and trees, she shares how simple moments in nature can open our hearts, connect us to the God of our understanding, and shift our spirits for the day ahead.

In Part 3 of her powerful Soul Talks interview, Mert McNaughton opens up about the deeper layers of her path to building one of the most inclusive and dynamic salons in Birmingham, Alabama. Host Theresa Bruno invites Mert to reflect on the challenges she’s faced behind the scenes: navigating her healing journey, the emotional and financial strain of owning a business through the COVID shutdown, an...

In this heartfelt Small Talk, Theresa Bruno shares the deeply personal preface to her new book, He’s Not Coming Back: Rewriting Life After Loss. Born from a season of profound grief after the death of her husband, this book is Theresa’s story of surviving, questioning, letting go—and ultimately rewriting the narrative of her life. This isn’t just a story about loss. It’s a guide for anyone wonderi...

In part two of our powerful conversation with Mert McNaughton, we explore her journey from escaping a cycle of control to building one of Birmingham’s most inclusive and groundbreaking salons. Mert opens up about breaking free from family expectations, navigating career pivots, facing the challenges of entrepreneurship, and creating a movement rooted in love, resilience, and inclusion. This episod...

In this special bonus message, Theresa Bruno shares her deep gratitude following the release of her book He’s Not Coming Back. With heartfelt honesty, she reflects on the vulnerability of telling her story and the overwhelming impact of hearing from readers whose lives and hearts have been touched. This is a thank you to every one of you who has resonated with her words, shared your own journeys,...

In this powerful episode of The Soul Talks, Theresa Bruno sits down with longtime friend, hairstylist, and entrepreneur Mert McNaughton. Mert opens up about her journey from a turbulent childhood marked by addiction and trauma to becoming a leader who builds a culture of encouragement and positivity. Together, they explore how her resilience, imagination, and drive helped her rise above challenges...

In this episode of Therapy with Sheri, Theresa Bruno and our resident therapist Sherri Ryland have an honest conversation about navigating midlife transitions from empty nesting and menopause to divorce, reinvention, and rediscovering self-trust. They explore how to set boundaries, redefine identity, and break free from old patterns, offering wisdom and encouragement for anyone stepping into a new...

In this powerful third installment of Theresa Bruno’s conversation with grief specialist and author Nathalie Himmelrich, we explore the profound depths of surviving loss and reclaiming life. Nathalie opens up about the raw journey of grieving her daughter while navigating new motherhood and the unexpected suicide of her own mother just weeks later. Together, Theresa and Nathalie discuss: • The emo...

In this heartfelt episode of Therapy with Sheri, Theresa Bruno and resident therapist Sheri Ryland dive into the emotional complexities of midlife, motherhood, and the invisible weight of societal expectations. They explore how the body holds onto unspoken trauma, how physical pain can be a messenger, and how we can begin to truly listen to what our bodies—and our boundaries—are trying to tell us....

In this episode of The Soul Talks, Theresa continues her conversation with Nathalie Himmelrich, a grief & trauma specialist, podcast host, and author. Nathalie opens up about navigating the impossible tension of joy and sorrow, the honor of being present for her daughter’s brief but powerful life, and the spiritual clarity she found in a moment most would fear. With grace, presence, and raw ho...

In this episode of The Soul Talks, host Theresa Bruno welcomes therapist Sheri Ryland back for a heartfelt conversation on trust, boundaries, and learning to listen to your body—especially during the difficult transition from adolescence into adulthood. This episode explores questions like:What does self-trust actually look like? Why do we override our gut instincts? How can we learn to say no, ev...

Today on The Soul Talks I sit down with counselor, coach, author, and podcast host—Nathalie Himmelrich—who has walked the path of deep grief and immense healing. Together, we explore her early spiritual influences, her journey into counseling, and the life experiences that shaped her profound empathy and presence. Join me as we open our hearts to her story of resilience, wisdom, and the transforma...

This week on the Soul Talks Podcast, I’m continuing my conversation with someone who means so much to me—not just as a guest, but as a dear friend. Dr. Princess Thomas Williams has broken incredible ground as the first African American female surgical fellow at Yale. But in this episode, we go beyond the titles and talk about what it really looks like to live with purpose when life feels overwhelm...

Today, I have a Small Talk to share. I’ve been sitting with some of the responses I’ve received to my book, He's Not Coming Back: Rewriting Life After Loss. Messages filled with raw honesty, quiet pain, and deep reflection. Many of you have shared just how lonely this grief journey can be. One message simply said, “I don’t think I know how to dream anymore.” That line has stayed with me. In the ea...

Today on the Soul Talks podcast, I’m so excited to welcome back my dear friend, Dr. Princess Thomas Williams, to share her story. She joined us about a year ago, and with so many new listeners since then, I knew this conversation was worth revisiting. As the first African American female surgical fellow at Yale, Dr. Princess has broken barriers in extraordinary ways. But behind her achievements is...

It all starts with trusting ourselves. In this week’s Soul Talks Podcast episode with Sheri Ryland, we’re talking about trust and boundaries, and the quiet strength it takes to know what you need—and to honor it. It's not as rigid rules, but as deeply personal truths that help us navigate relationships, work, and life. When we trust ourselves, we begin to recognize what we can offer, what we’re wi...