Do you believe you were meant to Live Deeply Loved? According to Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, “empathy is oxygen for the soul.” Learning how to live deeply loved begins with receiving and offering empathy in our most important relationships–with God, others, and ourselves.
Empathy as the Pathway to Live Deeply Loved
In this episode of Living the Grace Life, Jennifer Sakata sits down with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding and authors of Deeply Loved, to explore how empathy leads to emotional healing, spiritual maturity, and deeper connection. We often settle for shallow relationships but this conversation shows us a better way forward.
Bill and Kristi unpack how empathy transforms the way we love, apologize, listen, and grow. You’ll learn how to move beyond surface-level interactions and experience the safety, belonging, and freedom God intends for your relationships.
In our conversation, we explore:
- The difference between true empathy and its counterfeits–coddling and self-pity
- Common barriers that make it hard to receive empathy
- The Four A’s of empathy
- Why self-empathy is an expression of gratitude to God
- How we unintentionally interrupt empathy by jumping to encouragement
- The essential ingredients to offering a sincere, healing apology
Partner with Empathy to Live Deeply Loved
As Bill and Kristi remind us: “Truth without empathy is harsh, but empathy without truth is inaccurate. Responsibility without empathy is drudgery, while empathy without responsibility is coddling.” Growth happens when empathy, truth, and responsibility work together.
Listen in and discover how to Live Deeply Loved, and extend that love to others in ways that transform your relationships and your soul.
💬 Live Deeply Loved Quotes from Bill & Kristi Gaultiere:
“We need more than willpower. Empathy helps us go deeper.”
“Empathy plus truth plus responsibility equals growth.”
“Empathy is oxygen for the soul.”
Scripture Mentioned:
Resources Mentioned:
🌿Bill & Kristi’s Book Deeply Loved
🌿Soul Shepherding Retreat
🌿Soul Care Shepherding Spiritual Directors
🎶 Kristi’s go-to grace song: The Steadfast Love of the Lord
🎶 Bill’s go-to grace song: Psalm 16 by Shane and Shane
Connect with Bill & Kristi Gaultiere:
Website: soulshepherding.org
Instagram: @soulshepherding
Facebook: @soulshepherding
Related Episodes:
Ep. 40 Be Still and Be Loved | Michael John Cusick
Ep. 39 God’s Steadfast Love in Daily Life | Rachael Adams
Ep. 30 Growing Secure Attachment with God | Summer Joy Gross
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