The things we read, watch, listen to and generally consume will almost always contribute in some way to a conversation we’re already having in our heads. It may not be obvious at first, it may take some time to connect the dots. But eventually, the work and words and lives of others – if we’re paying attention – will have some kind of impact. If we’re lucky, they will help us to articulate something we’ve worked to do on our own for quite some time. If we’re smart, we’ll keep a record of it.

That’s what I’m attempting to do today here, sharing the words from three different women and how those words are combining in my mind to bring some clarity to something I’ve thought a lot about. I’ll bring you in on it now as a witness to my wonderings. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Taylor Swift’s 2022 Songwriter-Artist of the Decade acceptance speech
• Why the French Don’t Obsess Over Purpose by Pamela Clapp on Substack
• I’ve Seen What I Needed to See on the 10 Things to Tell You podcast

FIND EMILY ELSEWHERE:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
• Download The Quiet Collection app
• Join The Soul Minimalist Substack
• 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”
• Download the transcript

The things we read, watch, listen to and generally consume will almost always contribute in some way to a conversation we’re already having in our heads. It may not be obvious at first, it may take some time to connect the dots. But eventually, the work and words and lives of others - if we’re paying attention - will have some kind of impact. If we’re lucky, they will help us to articulate something we’ve worked to do on our own for quite some time. If we’re smart, we’ll keep a record of it.

That’s what I’m attempting to do today here, sharing the words from three different women and how those words are combining in my mind to bring some clarity to something I’ve thought a lot about. I’ll bring you in on it now as a witness to my wonderings. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Taylor Swift's 2022 Songwriter-Artist of the Decade acceptance speech
• Why the French Don’t Obsess Over Purpose by Pamela Clapp on Substack
• I've Seen What I Needed to See on the 10 Things to Tell You podcast

FIND EMILY ELSEWHERE:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
• Download The Quiet Collection app
• Join The Soul Minimalist Substack
• 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"
• Download the transcript

It's our first episode back after our summer hiatus and I'm so glad to welcome my friend, partner, and husband, John P. Freeman. (Yes, his middle initial really is P!) Aside from being my biggest cheerleader, John is also a pastor who served for 12 years in two different churches as a youth pastor until 12 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 decade, he's been running his own nonprofit called Grace Discipleship, where he offers soul care and spiritual direction for couples, pastors, and Gen Z high school and college students.

On this first episode of this next season of the podcast, we'll cover some questions you submitted about spiritual direction, family life, and life with God. Plus John will share which episodes of this podcast are his personal favorite. Listen in.

LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Episode 294: Standing at the Threshold with Lowland Hum
• Episode 319 Finding Vocational Clarity with Parker J. Palmer
• Episode 23: Release Your Agenda
• The Listening Life by Adam McHugh
• Learn more about John's work
• Find a Spiritual Director through Anam Cara

FIND EMILY ELSEWHERE:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
• Download The Quiet Collection app
• Join The Soul Minimalist Substack
• 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"

This episode is transcribed on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.