Andrea Mullens defines well-being as “feeling hopeful about your future.” Don't we all want to feel that way?
As an Executive Leadership and Wellbeing Coach, Andrea comes alongside others through group and one-on-one coaching, helping them become healthier on the inside. She lives near Sacramento, where we met recently.
In this episode, we talk about rest, self-compassion when there's a long road to recovery, and our favorite health tracking apps. I loved our conversation—and I think you’ll find this episode relatable and helpful. Check out Andrea’s IG @andrea.mullens to follow her work, including the Life Balance Lab (a live workshop) and Stress Reset Mini Course. These are tools she’s created to help you and me better understand our inner lives and pursue wholeness.
Subscribe to LISTEN TO YOUR LIFE to get notified when new episodes release!
Further Resources
The Life Balance Lab & Stress Reset Mini-Course
The Faster Way to Fat Loss App
Pray As You Go App
Pause App
Stardust App
“We want to feel like artists, we want to feel connected, we want to feel confident, and we want to feel purposeful.”
Today, you get to hear from my good friends, Chris & Jenna Badeker! Also known as Wild Harbors, an Indie pop duo. These two are so fun. But we also get real about what it’s like trusting God, wearing many hats (artists, parents, Airbnb hosts), and having a non-traditional career without a roadmap. They also tell the story behind their recent ministry trips to Paris—with a toddler.
I appreciate how openly they shared about the need to reevaluate what’s working in life regularly. It gives us the freedom to try something for a while, but maybe not forever. I hope you enjoy the episode.
Links
Every Moment Holy: A Liturgy for the Planting of Flowers
Today's episode, we're trying something different. I'm sending you a postcard from my living room, sharing about the little happenings that make up a day. Bird calls, sunlight, mid-afternoon brownies... it all makes a life. Maybe you can send a postcard back if you're inspired!
Further Resources
In today’s episode, I’m joined by my old friend Matthew Clark, a storyteller at heart. We met at a Laity Lodge arts retreat 11 years ago, near the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Frio River.
Matthew is a singer-songwriter and author from Mississippi, where he shares his day-to-day life (and morning coffee) with his brother, a ceramic artist.
Matthew’s journey to becoming a full-time artist is marked by faith and resilience. Along the way, he navigated the disorienting grief of divorce yet discovered the surprising, steady love of Jesus. His story reminds us that healing is always possible, though it often takes longer than we expect.
We also get a preview of Where the River Goes, the final chapter in his book and album trilogy, releasing on April 17.
Happy listening!
Further Resources
Matthew’s Podcast - S5, E5: The (Understandable) Life of Cynicism and the Reality of Hope
John 4 - The Woman at the Well
Jim Wilder, Christian neurologist and teacher
Support Matthew!
Matt Nash has served over 30 years in local churches as a Youth Pastor, Associate, and Lead Pastor. The two of us met online through mutual friends from The Way Back to Ourselves: a community of writers and fellow Jesus lovers.
Right now, Matt's finishing his Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership and recently founded Kardia Community, which offers spiritual mentorship to others.
In this conversation, we talk about his UK-based retreats, writing, and trading certainty for mystery + wonder.
Matt also offers a free, 1-hour exploratory session on Zoom to anyone interested in receiving spiritual direction.
Happy listening!
Further Resources
Schedule a free spiritual direction session with Matt through Kardia Community
The Way Back to Ourselves community
If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it. —Richard Rohr
Matthew 11:28–30: The unforced rhythms of grace
In our first Tuesday Thought of 2025, Bailey shares a short story and invites us to reflect on this question: What if it all works out? Although our brains and bodies are more likely to remember negative experiences, believing for good is deeply important. She leaves us with a blessing from Lamentations 3:21-26.
Happy listening!
Further Resources
Instagram: @baileylgillespie
Bailey's writings on Substack
Music copyrighted by Simon Wester (Stay Here)
Sarah Clarkson is an author living in Oxford, England with her Dutch husband (an Anglican priest) and four hobbit-like children.
Her work centers on beauty, theology, suffering, and story. In her book,Reclaiming Quiet, she explores how quiet is not a discipline we attain but a home we return to—one that helps us grow a listening heart in a loud, disordered world.
She’s also a Tolkien enthusiast, which I couldn’t love more. 💛
In this episode, we talk about:
Treasuring our longings
Being rooted in God amidst unraveling ideas
Oxford life + library cards
Having an imagination for love and hope
Happy listening!
Dr. Erin Ambrose is a licensed therapist and the director of Jessup University’s traditional undergraduate psychology program.
In this episode, she shares her story of unexpectedly being called to psychology and teaching, surviving cancer, and finding a meaningful, Christ-centered career helping others flourish in mind, body, and spirit.
She also never misses a day of exercise!
One of my favorite parts of our conversation is when Erin shares three paths people can take to expand their social circles, find support, or get professional help if they feel lonely or stuck. She reminds us that we ALL need community. Sometimes, we have the gift of bringing the light to others, and other times, we’ll get to receive it instead. 💛
Further Resources
Biopsychosocial Spiritual Model
Jessup University’s School of Psychology
Caroline Williams is a leading voice in the faith-based approach to yoga. Several years ago, she founded the Yoga Abbey, an at-home yoga sanctuary of peace, presence, and belonging for the lover of God searching for embodied faith. Her popular videos and programs have brought peace to thousands of people. Now, she has passed on leadership of the Yoga Abbey to someone new so she can focus on motherhood and writing.
In this episode, we explore the benefits of movement, why Christians can find value in practicing yoga, the ways God mothers us, and how our understanding of health and well-being shifts in different seasons of life. Caroline also leads us through a guided prayer to center us in God’s love and bring calm to the day. I hope you love it! 💛
Further Resources:
Caroline’s YouTube Channel: Should Christians Do Yoga?: Part 1
Caroline’s Substack: Mother, God
God’s Loving Gaze (Ignatian Practice)
Taylor Parra has strong feelings about plants, honey, memes, and rest. As a beekeeper and owner of The Local Wild, she crafts medicinal honey—“electuaries”—for a tasty, ancient way to get your daily herbs. We talk about how bees are akin to humans, and she makes a case for winter, sharing why surrendering ourselves to the natural seasons (especially those we may not enjoy) is necessary for our souls. We also talk about her evolving faith journey and how she and her husband became reenchanted with God after being disillusioned by the American church.
Taylor is such a kindred spirit. She’s hilarious, and we could have talked for hours. Belonging to a generation where so many are wounded, weary, and disenchanted, her voice is a needed one that reawakens us to the wonder and magic of living. 🐝🌿🕯️✨🍯
Further Resources
A Liturgy for the Keeping of Bees, Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey
New electuary blends: Belly Balance, Eros, Awake & Ready
Sacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year Around Jesus
In the first full episode of Season 2, I’m thrilled to have my husband Noah join me as a co-host 🙌
Together, we share the “why” behind our health journeys and what we’ve loved most about them so far. We also talk about what it means to pursue a well-lived life—even alongside chronic suffering—drawing hope and inspiration from God and his good creation.
You’ll also hear some fun stories that involve the great outdoors — like Noah’s 16-day, solo backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail outside Yosemite Valley (and the many letters I gave him as a keepsake) ⛰️🌲California’s natural beauty never ceases to inspire us.
As you set intentions for this new year, we hope you find encouragement and a healthy nudge to do one small thing today to invest in your health so you’ll (Lord willing!) be around for years to come, enjoying life to the fullest with those you love most 💛
Further Resources:
Episode 9: Get Unstuck with Justin McRoberts
Here For a Good Time by George Strait
Jimmy Miller Foundation - veteran surf therapy
John Muir Trail | Yosemite Valley, CA
Pacific Crest Trail | Pacific Coast
The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien - Houses of Healing
Welcome to Season 2 and 2025, my friends! I'm so happy you're here, and I can't wait to continue having soulful conversations about faith, health, and well-being.
Cheers to living fully, even in the face of our deepest longings.
Music: "Onward" by Wonderland, licensed from Artlist.
Further Resources:
Prayer of Teilhard de Chardin: Patient Trust
Instagram: @listentoyourlifepod @baileylgillespie
Welcome to Episode 13, the final episode of Season 1 and 2024!
In this episode, I talk with Bekah Buchterkirchen, a small business owner from the Pacific Northwest who just released her debut devotional book, Seen in the Unseen. (She also includes an audiobook version!) Bekah is wise and grounded, sharing her unexpected grief as a new mom, the gift of mentorship in college, and how she makes space to write and spend time with God in the margins of motherhood. She closes by reading her favorite prayer from Lectio 365.
Enjoy the conversation!
Further Resources:
Bekah's Substack, The Middle Moments
Today's guest is Tanner Olson, an author, poet, and speaker who writes under the name Written to Speak. In this episode, Tanner opens up about how his personal journey intertwines with Advent—a season of waiting and longing. He delves into topics like writing, adoption, and hope. He also treats us to two beautiful poems. Enjoy the conversation!
Further Resources:
Instagram: @WrittenToSpeak
Substack: Tanner Olson
Pre-order Tanner's new children's book, All the Things I Say to God
I’ve Never Seen a Moose in the Wild (Poem)
For You Are Not Forgotten (Poem)
Tanner & Bailey’s favorite restaurants in Nashville:
Today’s guest is Meg from Meg’s Reading Room. In this episode, we talk about making space for peace and gentleness in the midst of hard things and how a reading life can support that.
Meg hails from New York, is the wife of a librarian, and spent the year cultivating a reflective #bookstagram space online. This summer, she also started a podcast where she goes deeper into this topic with friends. With two little boys who share a rare genetic disease (VLCAD), life is not easy and time is precious. But the gift of community and a meaningful personal project has made all the difference.
Meg is wise and funny, inspiring us to slow down and pay attention to what matters most. I think this is the perfect way to begin the Advent season. Enjoy the conversation!
Further Resources:
Instagram: @MegsReadingRoom
Meg’s Reading Room Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
In Kiltumper: A Year in an Irish Garden by Niall Williams
Reclaiming Quiet and Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson
The Farmer’s Wife by Helen Rebanks
In Episode 10, Bailey talks with Lexi Dacy, a good friend and fellow writer whose joyful, hope-filled presence is so needed in the world (and in future bookshops!). Lexi shares about her BookTube channel, the wonder of first-time motherhood, found family, and what writing a cozy fantasy book is teaching her about life. 💛
Enjoy the conversation!
Learn more at baileygillespie.com or follow on Instagram @baileylgillespie
Further Resources:
Lexi on Instagram (@LexiDacyBooks)
Lexi on YouTube (@LexiBetweenTheLines)
Lexi’s Favorite Books Roundup:
Cozy Fantasy: “‘Cozy fantasy’ is a subgenre of fantasy. It's all the magic, world-building, and adventure of traditional fantasy but without the life-or-death stakes. As the word ‘cozy’ suggests, this subgenre is the lighter side of fantasy.” —USA Today
“It’s not about your work, and it’s not about you making great work. It’s about you becoming the kind of person who makes great work.”
This is the first thing I remember hearing Justin McRoberts say, and it stuck. Justin has done it all — he’s a coach, spiritual director, author, retreat speaker, songwriter, and podcast host. In this episode, we talk about Justin's role in helping people get unstuck, hearing God’s voice, and why we should seek the wellbeing of our enemies. Enjoy the conversation!
Listen on Spotify, Audible, or Amazon Music — and feel free to leave a review or a comment. 💛
Further Resources:
Anam Cara Ministries (Spiritual Direction)
4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again
Welcome to this guided nature walk! This will be a 30-minute experiential time of movement and reflection to help you connect with God, yourself, and the natural world. Find a place that brings you peace, and set out prepared to wander while you enjoy encountering the world in a fresh way. If you can, choose a natural setting where there are trees, water, or other foliage to look at. Or try a library, bookshop, or gallery — anywhere you can take time to simply be.
At the end, there will be some journaling questions in case you'd like to reflect on your walk. Feel free to enjoy this guided walk any time you need to slow down, find calm, and connect with God.
* Songs are composed by Simon Wester - music licensed from Artlist.
* Journaling questions inspired and adapted from the Pray As You Go app's guided prayer walk, "Walking with God."
In Episode 7, Bailey Gillespie defines her terms and explores what it means to listen to our lives, a resonant phrase from the works of Frederick Buchner. She also shares some autumn favorites and leads listeners in a reflective exercise. Enjoy the conversation!
You can learn more at baileygillespie.com or follow Bailey on Instagram @baileylgillespie
Subscribe to Bailey’s Substack newsletter
Other resources mentioned:
“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis, all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” —Frederick Buechner, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation
The Farmer's Wife: My Life in Days by Helen Rebanks
In Episode 6, Bailey Gillespie hosts a special conversation with her mom, Patty. The two swap stories about the books that formed them as children, and Patty tells a moving story about two book-inspired dreams that came true much later in life—involving a cardinal sighting and high tea in Scotland.
Listeners are encouraged to read widely and be on the lookout for how God is speaking to them in the midst of their reading lives.
Enjoy the conversation!
Subscribe to Bailey’s Substack newsletter
Follow Bailey on Instagram @baileylgillespie
