The Next Right Thing

Today I'm joining in conversation with my friend James Bryan Smith to finally share something that's been in the works for over a year now.
Jim is the author of The Good and Beautiful book series. A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré, Smith is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches. He earned his MDiv at Yale and his DMin at Fuller and is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where he also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation.
About a year ago he called me up with an idea for a way to serve writers. That's where our conversation today begins.
Even if you aren't a writer, our conversation will, I hope, shed light on how ideas become reality, how sometimes a good idea takes a decade to grow, and the beauty of collaboration, patience, and moving at a human pace. I hope you'll listen in.
LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Learn more about the Formation Writers Guild
The Good and Beautiful Series by James Bryan Smith
Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation
Renovaré
FIND EMILY ELSEWHERE:
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"

It's the last episode of our regular season but don't worry - we may pop in with a bonus episode in the next few weeks and we'll definitely be back in late June to begin Psalm Summer.
Before I sign off, I want to leave you with the heart of why I do what I do here and what I believe is the most important thing to remember when we have decisions to make. Listen in.
LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignatian Spirituality by Margaret Silf
Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal
Download The Quiet Collection app
Order a How to Walk into a Room
Join The Soul Minimalist Substack
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

There are a lot of reasons to feel pulled in many directions this time of year which is why I'm delightfully surprised by the invitation I've been sensing to slow down and the surprising source from which it comes. Listen in.
LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
"They Orbited the Moon, But I Keep Coming Back to the Crew." by Priya Parker
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

April is my birthday month so every year I like to dedicate one episode to birthdays in general - maybe something you can come back to when your birthday rolls around. Of course birthdays are a time for celebration, for treating ourselves, for toasting to another year of life. They are also a good time for personal reflection. If you are someone for whom reflection does not come naturally, you may wonder why do it at all: We can't change the past so what's the point of looking back? What are the real benefits of reflecting on your life? I'm so glad you asked. Listen in.
LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Purchase The Birthday Collection
Episode 272: A Soul Minimalist's Guide to Your Birthday
Episode 365: A Birthday Reflection for When You're Not Sure How to Celebrate
How We Think by John Dewey
Journal Club Check-In
Get the monthly letter
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"

Some seasons we're more aware of the ways we need our lives to be saved. For me it's always good to keep a list and pay attention to the small and big things that are saving me. It's been especially good for me this month. Maybe in hearing the things on my list you'll be inspired to make and share your own. Listen in.
LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Joyful, Anyway by Kate Bowler
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