Today I?ll share words from someone else for all of us to listen to and carry with us and reflect on together. Here is ?The Path? by Lynn Ungar. Listen in.

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"The Path" by Lynn Ungar Order a How to Walk into a Room Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room by visiting this page and clicking the button "Discussion Guide" Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

They say May is the new December, and we all know it's true. Though we have a month until we get there, chances are this season's activities are in full swing now and not likely to stop until June. It's times like this when I often find myself busy doing the things that don't matter as much, and avoiding doing the things that do. Sound familiar? How can we start to wake up in a world that seems intent on keeping us asleep? Listen in.

 

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Order a How to Walk into a Room Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room by visiting this page and clicking the button "Discussion Guide" Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

Five years ago on this very day, Tuesday, April 2nd, The Next Right Thing book released into the world. It was based roughly on the first 30 episodes of this podcast. And now that book has sold over 100,000 copies, and it's still going. As a way to mark the moment, I thought I would share five decision-making principles from The Next Right Thing book that I still use every single week. Maybe you'll remember one you've forgotten, or maybe you'll hear one of these tips with fresh ears. I hope you'll listen in.

 

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The Next Right Thing book The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Order a How to Walk into a Room Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room by visiting this page and clicking the button "Discussion Guide" Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

Today's guest is one you're familiar with by now. It's my friend, partner, and husband, John Freeman. Aside from being my biggest cheerleader, John is also a pastor. He served for 12 years in two different churches as a youth pastor, until 11 years ago when he walked out of the room of official church ministry and walked into the room of our actual home, where he worked for several years as a stay-at-home dad.

For the last few years, he's been running his own nonprofit called Grace Discipleship, offering soul care and spiritual direction for couples, pastors, and Gen Z high school and college students. Now that How to Walk into a Room is out in the world, John and I wanted to host a conversation about the book, specifically our own personal reflections on this side of sharing certain parts of our story. I hope you'll listen in.

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Grace Discipleship  Find John on Instagram LGBTQ resources for parents David Gushee on the Making Things Right podcast Order a How to Walk into a Room Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room by visiting this page and clicking the button "Discussion Guide" Find my new book from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

Grace P. Cho is a Korean-American writer and Senior Acquisitions Editor at Revell, which is an imprint of Baker Publishing Group. Grace has authored and edited several inCourage bible studies and devotionals. And she's most recently contributed to the book Voices of Lament: Reflections on Brokenness and Hope in a World Longing for Justice.

I've known Grace for many years and she is a kind and gracious presence for me personally, but she extends this beyond just her personal friends. She creates space for people to be known, nurtured, and challenged through her work and she desires to elevate women of color's voices in the publishing industry.

Grace has said several goodbyes in the last year, but her experience is is a beautiful illustration of how not all goodbyes are sad. Her kind, generative presence and perspective on life and change is right on time. Listen in.

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Visit Grace P. Cho's website Find Grace on Instagram Order a How to Walk into a Room Find my new book from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

Today we're continuing our conversations with people who have a lot of wisdom to offer when it comes to leaving rooms and finding new ones.

My guest today is a writer, speaker and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality, and social change. He is the founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal and his name is Parker J. Palmer. He's the author of 10 books including one of my favorites, Let Your Life Speak. He's a member of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers, and he lives together with his wife Sharon in Madison Wisconsin.

I invited Parker on because his work has had a profound impact on my own personal formation and has helped to shape my own understanding of the human soul. I'm grateful he said yes to sitting in the room with me today. Listen in.

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Center for Courage and Renewal Here are all of Parker Palmers books in one place The Growing Edge with Parker Palmer and Carrie Newcomer Order a How to Walk into a Room Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

Today's the day! It's the official release day for my brand new book, How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away. It's available in hardcover or audiobook format at any retailer, and you can order it this very moment. If you're not sure if this is a book for you, today's episode will help. If you're waiting for your copy to arrive, you can get starting at the beginning right now, because I'm reading the entire introduction right here. Listen in.

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Read the first ten pages of How to Walk into a Room Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack

A quick bonus episode! I'm here to let you know that I have a post script from Tuesday's episode ? an announcement about preorder bonuses (Monday, March 11 is the last day to receive your gifts!), and a sneak peek ? one of the blessings from the Blessings for Hellos and Goodbyes audio collection. Listen in. 

 

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Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

Today's guest is a former high school government and law teacher who earned a reputation as America's government teacher amidst the historic 2020 election proceedings for her viral efforts on Instagram to educate the general public on political misinformation.

Her name is Sharon McMahon and her simple mission is to share nonpartisan information about democracy. I am one of over a million people who learn from Sharon on a weekly basis, who call ourselves the Governerds, and we're regularly grateful for the truth and logic that Sharon brings in a society that's often plagued by bias and conspiracy.

I brought Sharon on because one of the many things she reminds us of is the importance of changing your mind when you receive new and better information. So what do you do when the new information it seems someone has received is about you? And what about when that information is false? How can we navigate the various endings in our lives, especially the ones we don't choose, didn't want, and don't offer any closure?   I'm grateful for Sharon's willingness to share vulnerably about her own experience of being forced out of a room. Listen in.

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Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

 

One thing that's important to talk about when we consider leaving and staying is that faithfulness can be found in both. Listen in.

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Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

When it comes to making tough decisions, there's one thing we all need that we cannot steal, force, rush or fake. Want to know what it is? Listen in.

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Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

When I started The Next Right Thing back in 2017, I had the chronically hesitant and the decision fatigued among us in mind. But we are not the only ones who need decision-making help. There are also those who are chronically eager and that's who I want to talk to today. Listen in.  

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Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

At the end of December, I shared what worked in 2023 here on the podcast, but for my letter subscribers at the end of the year, I also shared five things that did not work for me in 2023. One of the things I listed that didn't work for me last year was caring too much, specifically as it relates to parenting. Listen in.  

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Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

It's time for our seasonal episode of What's Saving My Life Right Now. I'll be sharing the things that are life-giving to me during this current winter season and I'll encourage you to make your own list. It could be anything from a favorite product to a spiritual practice, a fun new show or a meaningful relationship. When it comes to naming what we love this winter, everything counts. Listen in.

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Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Walking pad Evshine slippers Download the transcript

In this episode, I'll share what it could look like to begin to bless the hellos and goodbyes of your life no matter what they are. I'm also so excited to share a few free resources that will help you do just that. Listen in.  

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Preorder a How to Walk into a Room to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Barnes and Noble Amazon US Amazon CA Bookshop Books-A-Million Bookmarks (for personalized copies!) Once you have your order number, visit this page and claim your bonuses so we know where to send them Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Download the transcript

Chances are, in some area of your life, you're either thinking through a big decision, working to clear up your brain from some false narratives, or maybe you're feeling like you're in a funk, but you can't quite figure out why. Sometimes, you just need someone to help you get unstuck and to take one next right step forward. So that's what we'll work today to do together.

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Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! by Kate Bowler Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

I've now declared January to be the new week between Christmas and the New Year. And in today's episode, we'll unpack how to make it so. Listen in.

 

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Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

It's my annual, "I'm here, but I'm not really here" episode. I'll only keep you for two minutes. We'll be back next week for our first real episode of 2024. You can take the survey here until Monday, January 8.

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Take the survey Download the transcript

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

10 Questions for Reflection and Discernment The Lazy Genius Chickpea Bowl Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

Today, I need to slow down for just a few minutes to take a breath, to take a beat here in the middle of December. And so I want to offer you a four minute and thirty-eight second meditation for being okay. It's from one of the Advent collections in The Quiet Collection app called Compassion. It's track eight, named simply Okay. It's one of the simpler ones, but it's one I personally return to over and over again. Listen in.

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Learn more about The Quiet Collection app and download the Advent Collections here Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

Emily Ley is the founder of Simplified, which is a bestselling brand of planners and organizational tools for busy women. She has spent nearly 13 years empowering, inspiring, and equipping women in the areas of organization, planning and simplicity. She's the host of the Simplified podcast and author of national bestselling books, but today, we're going to talk about concepts she writes about in her newest book, Near in the Night: A Collection of Reflections on Finding God's Peace and Rest. If you, like me, have trouble turning off your mind at the close of day and are hoping for some simple practices to help you do that with ease, listen in.  

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Find Near in the Night by Emily Ley Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan Harris The Quiet Collection app Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

There are a lot of reasons why the season of Advent might be a difficult one for you this year. Among them could be because you don't currently have a church or a faith community or it looks different than it used to, or you're about to move or make a change, or you just moved and made a change and it's all impacting your current reality, and you're feeling some kind of way about it all. If that's you, I hope you'll find welcome in today's conversation. Listen in.  

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The Quiet Collection app Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

 

It's time to share the scoop about this year's Advent resources in The Quiet Collection app. I've got good news, I've got medium news, and I have some fun news. You want to hear it all? Listen in.

 

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The Quiet Collection app Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

If you?re feeling pulled in all directions, looking for grounding words but unable to form them, here?s a short prayer of welcoming some things we need, some things we want, and others we would rather do without. Listen in.

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Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

What do we do when we realize our next right thing is to apologize? And how do we do it in a way that the person we're apologizing to will know that we're sincere? I'm so glad to welcome bestselling author, TEDx speaker, leadership consultant and psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Thomas. Jennifer is the co-author of The Five Apology Languages with Dr. Gary Chapman, and together they've also written a book in partnership with Paul White called Making Things Right at Work. With a PhD in clinical psychology and community psychology from the University of Maryland, Jennifer helps readers and leaders know the right things to say to keep growing. If you're curious about why the last apology you gave fell flat, or if you wonder why you just don't believe people when they're apologizing to you, today's conversation will hopefully provide valuable insight for your next right apologetic thing. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack where I'll be answering more questions in this week's essay The Quiet Collection app The 5 Apology Languages by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas Making Things Right at Work by Gary Chapman, Jennifer Thomas, and Paul White Learn more about Dr. Jennifer Thomas Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

In honor of the 300th episode of The Next Right Thing, I'm giving you the microphone to ask me your questions. I love hearing your voices whenever I can and I think this will be a lot of fun. I'll do my best to offer some solid responses, if not answers. Listen in.  

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack where I'll be answering more questions in this week's essay The Quiet Collection app Episode 32: Stop Collecting Gurus Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

How can we know the difference between a yes, an absolutely yes, a maybe, a probably not, and a no? And what do we do with the simple one line advice that doesn't always seem to apply? Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack The Quiet Collection app Ask Emily anything Essentialism by Greg McKeown Hell Yeah or No by Derek Sivers Episode 219: 20 Questions to Ask Before You Say Yes to a Great Opportunity Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

Today's question is a continuation of a conversation we started over 100 episodes ago, all about spiritual direction. I mentioned at the beginning of every episode that I serve as a spiritual director, and maybe you've heard that and wondered what it means or what that looks like. Well, I'll answer some of those questions about that today. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Spiritual Direction resources Episode 167: Spiritual Direction for Beginners Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

When it comes to spiritual practice and life with God, it might be your default to think you're doing it wrong. Even though I've walked with my friend Jesus for many decades, have written many faith-based books, hold a master's degree in Christian spiritual formation and even teach in a master's level program on the same topic, I still carry around that childlike question sometimes without even realizing it. Am I doing this wrong? Am I on the right track? Am I going to be okay? Let's talk about it. Listen in.

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Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

What's saving your life right now, specifically when it comes to autumn? It could be anything from a favorite product to a spiritual practice, a fun new show or a meaningful relationship. When it comes to naming what we love this fall, everything counts. Listen in.

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Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Our Unforming by Cindy S. Lee Get the monthly letter My Autumn playlist My sister's Autumnal playlist Kendra's Breezy Instrumental playlist More of what's saving my autumn life The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

In this episode, I'm sharing about one of my next right things. For the last two-ish years, I've been working on my next book and it's finally time to tell you about it. If you're standing at a threshold, this book offers a framework for knowing when it's good to stay and when it might be time to move on. Listen in.

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Preorder How to Walk Into a Room Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

Today I'm talking with not one, but two guests. From their rural homestead in Charlottesville, Virginia, it's husband and wife duo Daniel and Lauren Goans, known as Lowland Hum. With the release of their brand new album From Self, With Love, this seemed like the perfect time to have them on the podcast to talk about some of the key decisions they've made along their way. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Find Lowland Hum on Instagram Visit Lowland Hum's website Find Lowland Hum on Patreon The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

Our emotions and feelings can take up a lot of space at the table. There may have been times we've gotten in trouble for them, either because we've shared too much and regretted it later, or we've been scolded or blamed for being too sensitive or too much or too something. That's when we've tended to label our feelings as not okay. But this is not the only story there is.

How do our feelings impact our ability to make wise decisions and what good role can they play? Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack The Journey Toward Wholeness by Suzanne Stabile Try Softer and Strong Like Water by Aundi Kolber Episode 170: Try Softer with Aundi Kolber Episode 213: How to Make Embodied Decisions with Dr. Hillary L. McBride The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

Today's questions, what do decisive people know that indecisive people don't know? Is there a common skill or mindset present in people who consider themselves to be decisive that those of us who are more indecisive might lack? Can we learn it? Can we cultivate it? We'll talk about it. Listen in.   LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

 

Today's question: when is good enough great? We'll talk about when perfectionism keeps us stuck. I hope you'll listen in. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Episode 325 of the Lazy Genius Podcast: Dealing with Differences on How Something is Done Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison by Richella Parham Marketing Made Easy: Why You Aren't Taking Action The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

The kitchen is the room of our house where we make many of our daily decisions which means it also has the potential to be the root cause of a lot of decision fatigue. Today I?m glad to welcome one of my in-real-life friends, Bri McKoy.

Bri is an accidental home cook, a lover of gathering people around her everyday table, and the author of two books: the first is Come and Eat and the second is her brand new release: The Cook?s Book, the only cookbook I?ve ever read cover to cover. I?m thrilled to have her join us today to talk about our next right thing in the kitchen. Listen in.

 

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: The Cook's Book by Bri McKoy - Brand new this week! Visit Bri's website Find Bri on Instagram for inspiration for the everyday home cook Join The Soul Minimalist to continue this conversation Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing for simple, soulful decision-making practices Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman

If we're going to be on the internet, because we are, how can we stay sane and remain soul minimalists in the midst of the constant stream of information? That's today's question. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack "Our Brains Are No Match for Technology" by Tristan Harris Episode 32: Stop Collecting Gurus Atomic Habits by James Clear Depression, Creativity, and the Dangers of Being Constantly Plugged In by Ally Fallon The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

Today?s questions: why do I feel so exhausted? How can I remain a soul minimalist while having a maxed-out schedule? Does our soul have rules? And if so, what the heck are they, and how can knowing them help us in our next right thing? This isn?t a conversation about pitting your schedule against your soul, but it is to elevate our awareness that trying to tackle soul things with a scheduler?s mindset will almost always lead to frustration, disappointment, and exhaustion. Listen in. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

This week I'm thrilled to celebrate another milestone: six years of The Next Right Thing podcast. Can we even believe it? Reflection is a key part of my own rhythm of life, so when I approach anniversaries of any kind, but maybe particularly annual ones, I like to pause and look back before moving ahead. Listen in.   LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Subscribe to The Soul Minimalist on Substack Episode 238: State of the Podcast 2022 Episode 198: Be Present Not Perfect with Shauna Niequist Episode 254: Honest Advent with Scott Erickson Episode 213: How to Make Embodied Decisions with Dr. Hillary L. McBride Episode 212: How to Walk Out of A Room Episode 206: What Worked in 2021 Episode 208: Hold the Tension Longer The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

It's the last week of Psalm Summer, and I'll be reading Psalm 63 from the New Revised Standard Version, then from the Contemporary English version, then from the Message. At the end of this series, we'll have all the Psalms for you as a collection in The Quiet Collection app. Listen in.

A playlist of the Psalms we?ve done so far The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman

It's week three of Psalm Summer, and I'll be reading Psalm 40 from the New Revised Standard Version, then from the Contemporary English version, then from the Message. At the end of this series, we'll have all the Psalms for you as a collection in The Quiet Collection app. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: A playlist of the Psalms we?ve done so far The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman

It's week two of Psalm Summer, and I'll be reading Psalm 1 from the New Revised Standard Version, then from the Contemporary English version, then from Psalms for Praying by Nan C. Merrill. At the end of this series, we'll have all the Psalms for you as a collection in The Quiet Collection app. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: A playlist of the Psalms we?ve done so far The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman

It's the first week of Psalm Summer, and I'll be reading three versions of your most requested chapter, Psalm 16. When this series is over, we'll have all the Psalms for you as a collection in The Quiet Collection app. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: A playlist of the Psalms we?ve done so far The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman

It's time for Psalm Summer and today I'll share a few words about why I hold a tension with the Psalms. I'm hearing it among my friends, at retreats I've led, from graduate students I teach, and in the spiritual direction chair -- we have a complicated relationship with God, with the Bible, with people who make up the church. Complicated doesn't have to mean bad and it doesn't have to be negative. It just means there are a lot of layers and we've lived a lot of life together. We have love stories to tell, heartbreaks to grieve, faithfulness to celebrate. The Psalms don't tell us how to live, they reveal the many ways we might respond to life. They are songs and poems written by those who are angry, heartbroken, bereft, and elated. The words in the Psalms are not a rule book but a refuge, a record, a reality of human life in all its complexity.

Today I'll share a few words about why I'm glad to bring Psalm Summer back. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: A playlist of the Psalms we?ve done so far The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

?For the simplicity on this side of complexity, I wouldn't give you a fig. But for the simplicity on the other side of complexity, for that I would give you anything I have.? ? Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

Today?s question is a fun one. What?s saving your life right now, specifically when it comes to summer? It could be anything from a favorite product to a spiritual practice, a fun new show, or a meaningful relationship. When it comes to naming what we love this summer, everything counts. And when it comes to decision making, it?s fun to name these things. It?s great to know what helps me come alive, what makes me smile, what?s something I?m loving right now. All of these questions, though they may feel small, inform our next right thing more often than we might realize. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Supergoop Glowscreen Westmore Beauty 60-Second Eye Effects For the Love podcast with Jen Hatmaker A playlist of the Psalms we've done so far More of what's saving my summer life The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

For the third year in a row, I?m hosting a conversation with John, who I have shared life with in marriage for 22 years. We have two college-age kiddos who have just finished their freshman year and one rising high school junior.

Professionally, John runs a local community funded nonprofit called Grace Discipleship, where he serves as a spiritual director providing soul care and discipleship for the next generation. John has been a steady listening presence for several decades here in our hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina, and he regularly meets with teenagers, college students, couples and ministry workers to hold prayerful space for them to discern what God might be up to in and around them. Today I?m glad to sit down with John again to answer some of the questions you tossed our way about the first years of marriage, the role spiritual direction plays in our life and work, and how we?re faring as nearly-there empty-nesters. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Episode 184: The Next Right Thing In Marriage with John Freeman Episode 237: For When Things Are Changing (with John Freeman) Episode 167: Spiritual Direction for Beginners Episode 178: How to Find A Spiritual Director Order Sacred Companions by David Benner Follow John on Instagram @freemanjohn gracegreensboro.org The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

In today's episode, I'll be sharing some of my favorite summer-time decisions and then we get to hear from YOU! If you're already feeling in a summer rut, I hope these ideas will help if you find you need a little extra inspiration heading into summertime. Listen in. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Episode 181: A Soul Minimalist's Guide to Summer Episode 229: A Blessing for the Graduates The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

If you find yourself at a crossroads in your life and you're asking the super common and also slightly terrifying question, "What now?", listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: We want to hear about your favorite summer decision! Do you have a tip, a hack, a mindset, a question, or an activity you've said yes to and you're so glad you did? Or maybe it's something you decide to stop doing every summer? Whatever it is, we want to be inspired by your next right summer. Leave us a voice memo and be sure to share your name, where you live, and your favorite summer decision in 90 seconds or less. We can't wait to hear from you. Share your favorite summertime decision here. What Now? by Ann Patchett The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

This episode is called One Question to Ask Yourself Every Quarter, but of course you can ask it more often than that. It's a question I always have in mind, and it?s become such a part of my rhythm of life that I don?t really even think that much about it in one particular time. I just think about it as I go along my way and record my answers as they come. Listen in. 

 

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary McBride Episode 276: Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish with Taylor Elyse Morrison Get my monthly letter The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript

I'm glad to welcome author Taylor Elyse Morrison, who's turned being bad at self-care into a career. She's the founder of the media company Inner Workout and the author of a book by the same name. She's a founder, facilitator, coach, and serial entrepreneur making wellbeing and personal development more accessible. She's all about supporting people's journey to know, care for, and become their full selves. I hope you'll listen in. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Find Taylor Elyse Morrison on Instagram Find Inner Workout on Instagram Inner Workout by Taylor Elyse Morrison Find Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on Instagram The Quiet Collection app Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download the transcript