Those dealing with addiction can get categorized as bad people. Addiction certainly leads to sinful behavior, but to say those struggling are “just sinners” is a gross oversimplification. It is more accurate to call addiction a disease because most people don’t want to be addicted—they are formed with deep, habitual responses they can no longer control.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss how those dealing with addiction can heal from the hurts and unmet needs underlying their behavior through long apprenticeship to Jesus. Plus, we can all rally around those struggling, learn about their unique challenges, and love them with the compassion of Jesus.

Resources for this Episode:

• Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute Retreat
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual Director
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

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 Director
• Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the Enneagram
• Enneagram & Emotions Course
• Donate 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 Enneagram
• Enneagram & Emotions Course
• Your Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live Empowered
• Donate 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 Enneagram
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute Retreat
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual Director
• Donate 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 Retreat
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director
• Healing Prayer: For Emotional & Physical Wholeness
• Donate 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 Retreat
• Breath Prayer Guides
• Donate 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 Wholeness
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual Director
• Donate 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 Director
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the Enneagram
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks