The Next Right Thing

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: Order House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style and Budget Find The Nester on Instagram 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 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: "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.   LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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.   LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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.    LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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.   LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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.   LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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.   LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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.   LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: 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