The Next Right Thing
For the second-guessers, the chronically hesitant, or anyone who suffers from decision fatigue, best-selling author and host Emily P. Freeman helps create a little space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing in love. Because out of the thousands of decisions you make everyday, chances are a few of them threaten to keep you up at night. If you're in a season of transition, waiting, general fogginess or if you've ever searched "how to make a decision" on the internet, listen in.
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325: How to Know What You Like with Myquillyn Smith
04/23/2024
325: How to Know What You Like with Myquillyn Smith
I'm so glad to welcome New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Myquillyn Smith. You may know her best as The Nester and I know her best as my big sister. The good news for all of us, is that Myquillyn has a brand-new book available on this very day. It's called House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style and Budget. She's never met a house she didn't love, and today, she's here to help us learn how to do the same. If you struggle knowing where to start or feel overwhelmed with the number of decisions you believe stand between you and the room that you love, I hope you'll listen in. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room
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324: The Path by Lynn Ungar
04/16/2024
324: The Path by Lynn Ungar
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room
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323: The Kind of Quiet that Wakes Us Up
04/09/2024
323: The Kind of Quiet that Wakes Us Up
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room
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322: 5 Next Right Thing Principles I Use Every Week
04/02/2024
322: 5 Next Right Thing Principles I Use Every Week
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room
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321: What We Wish We’d Known with John P. Freeman
03/26/2024
321: What We Wish We’d Known with John P. Freeman
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room Find my new book from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed):
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320: Following Your Intuition with Grace P. Cho
03/19/2024
320: Following Your Intuition with Grace P. Cho
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Find my new book from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed):
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319: Finding Vocational Clarity with Parker J. Palmer
03/14/2024
319: Finding Vocational Clarity with Parker J. Palmer
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed):
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318: How to Walk into a Room: Release Day!
03/12/2024
318: How to Walk into a Room: Release Day!
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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Bonus: For Leaving a Beloved Space
03/07/2024
Bonus: For Leaving a Beloved Space
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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317: When Things End Without Closure with Sharon McMahon
03/05/2024
317: When Things End Without Closure with Sharon McMahon
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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316: The Faithfulness of Staying and Leaving
02/27/2024
316: The Faithfulness of Staying and Leaving
One thing that's important to talk about when we consider leaving and staying is that faithfulness can be found in both. Listen in. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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315: One Thing We Need for Making Tough Decisions
02/20/2024
315: One Thing We Need for Making Tough Decisions
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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314: Yes or Now? Decision-Making for the Over-Eager
02/13/2024
314: Yes or Now? Decision-Making for the Over-Eager
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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313: The Liturgy of Lightheartedness
02/06/2024
313: The Liturgy of Lightheartedness
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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312: What's Saving My Winter Life
01/30/2024
312: What's Saving My Winter Life
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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311: Bless Your Hellos and Goodbyes
01/23/2024
311: Bless Your Hellos and Goodbyes
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: to receive all your free gifts! Order from your favorite bookseller below (or another one not listed): Once you have your order number, so we know where to send them
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310: 5 Questions for When You Feel Stuck
01/16/2024
310: 5 Questions for When You Feel Stuck
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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309: How to Walk into January Like a Soul Minimalist
01/09/2024
309: How to Walk into January Like a Soul Minimalist
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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308: We Want to Hear from You!
01/02/2024
308: We Want to Hear from You!
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 until Monday, January 8. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
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307: What Worked in 2023
12/26/2023
307: What Worked in 2023
LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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306: Are we going to be okay?
12/19/2023
306: Are we going to be okay?
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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305: Creating an Evening Routine with Emily Ley
12/12/2023
305: Creating an Evening Routine with Emily Ley
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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304: For When You Don't Have a Church at Christmas
12/05/2023
304: For When You Don't Have a Church at Christmas
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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303: The Quiet Collection 2023
11/29/2023
303: The Quiet Collection 2023
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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302: Discomfort: An Unconventional Gratitude
11/21/2023
302: Discomfort: An Unconventional Gratitude
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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301: When Your Next Right Thing is to Apologize
11/14/2023
301: When Your Next Right Thing is to Apologize
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: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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300: Your Questions Answered
11/07/2023
300: Your Questions Answered
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: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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299: The Problem with Binaries in Decision-Making
10/31/2023
299: The Problem with Binaries in Decision-Making
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: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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298: What I'm Learning as a Spiritual Director
10/24/2023
298: What I'm Learning as a Spiritual Director
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: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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297: Am I Doing This Wrong?
10/17/2023
297: Am I Doing This Wrong?
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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Order Grab a copy of my book Find me on
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