Listen to Your Life

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

Read more about Erin

Biopsychosocial Spiritual Model

Jessup University’s School of Psychology

The Dark Night of the Soul by Gerald G. May, M.D.

Patient Trust - Prayer 

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 website

Caroline’s Instagram

Caroline’s YouTube Channel: Should Christians Do Yoga?: Part 1

Caroline’s Substack: Mother, God

Domestic Monastery Book 

God’s Loving Gaze (Ignatian Practice)

James Finley, Author of Christian Meditation

Simon Wester's Music

Sleeping at Last's Music 

The Yoga Abbey

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

Practicing the Way Resources

Sacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year Around Jesus

Bailey Gillespie on Instagram

Bailey Gillespie on Substack

Listen to Your Life Podcast on Instagram

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:

Bailey Gillespie on Instagram

Noah Throssel on Instagram 

Books by Rich Roll⁠ 

⁠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

Lectio 365 prayer app

Mount Shasta | Redding, 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

Bailey Gillespie's writings on Substack

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 Website

Bekah's Substack, The Middle Moments

Seen in the Unseen Book

Advent 2024: The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by She Reads Truth

Create Anyway by Ashlee Gadd

Lectio 365 App

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:

Tanner Olson’s Website

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:

City House  

Lockeland Table

TennFold Brewing

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

Mary Oliver’s poetry

Reclaiming Quiet and Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson

⁠The Farmer’s Wife⁠ by Helen Rebanks

VLCAD

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: 

• ⁠Anne of Green Gables⁠ 

• ⁠Harry Potter Series⁠

• ⁠Howl’s Moving Castle⁠ 

• ⁠The Chronicles of Narnia⁠

• ⁠The Hobbit⁠ 

⁠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:

Justin McRoberts on Instagram

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

Paleo-AIP Apple Crisp Recipe

The Farmer's Wife: My Life in Days by Helen Rebanks

The Remarkable Ordinary by Frederick Buechner

Vanilla Pumpkin Scented Candle - Trader Joe's

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

In Episode 5, Bailey shares her September highlights so far, including an apple blackberry cobbler, evening walks, and a surprising story about her first business venture (and replacement podcast mic). She encourages listeners to stay the course and remain faithful to their creative vision — even when obstacles hit.

Enjoy the conversation!  

You can learn more at ⁠baileygillespie.com⁠

Subscribe to Bailey’s Substack newsletter

Follow Bailey on Instagram ⁠@baileylgillespie⁠

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 

Paleo Blackberry Cobbler (apples added)

Bailey’s Hobbit Day playlist on Spotify

⁠The Next Right Thing Podcast

At Home with Sally Podcast

Meg's Reading Room Podcast

Makers & Mystics Podcast

What’s your favorite hour of the day? In Episode 4, Bailey invites listeners to consider when they feel most energized, hopeful, or at peace. She shares how we might intentionally use this time to cultivate a favorite practice that fills our cup. That might be an hour (or let’s face it, 15 minutes) to write in the morning, meal prep, go for a walk, water the garden, or spend time in God’s Word.  

Happy listening!  

You can learn more at ⁠baileygillespie.com⁠

Follow Bailey on Instagram ⁠@bailey_bluebird⁠

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 

Bailey’s Substack newsletter

Laity Lodge

Lectio 365 app

Simon Wester’s music on YouTube

Alabaster & Co.’s Book of Psalms

Prayer of Examen 

The Bookwanderers 

Anna James (@acaseforbooks)

Box breathing exercise

Bailey’s Spotify profile

In Episode 3, Bailey Gillespie shares a conversation with her friend, Whitney Lindsay.

Whitney is an adventurer, a people lover, and a general life enthusiast. In her mid-30s, she moved from Placerville, California to Jacksonville, Florida to pursue a ministry apprenticeship through the Church of Eleven22.
In this episode, you'll learn about St. Augustine (the town, not the man), gourmet popsicles, Sabbath, the best thing about being in your 30s, and how to keep walking when your well-laid plans fail and life turns out differently than you imagined. You’ll also hear the story of the day these two accidentally crashed a wedding rehearsal in San Francisco and stumbled across a life-sized replica of the Ark of the Covenant.

Happy listening!

Learn more and download Bailey’s new ebook, ⁠⁠Cultivating 6 Restorative Rhythms⁠⁠ at ⁠baileygillespie.com⁠

Follow Bailey on Instagram ⁠@bailey_bluebird⁠

Other resources mentioned:

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

Fight Hustle, End Hurry Podcast⁠ by John Mark Comer & Jefferson Bethke 

The Church of Eleven22⁠

⁠The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops⁠ 

Do you long for closer friendships?

In Episode 2, Bailey unravels the belief that it’s impossible to make good friends as an adult. You just have to be persistent and creative! Each season of life holds its own hidden treasure for us, and that includes the gift of friendship. With humor and encouragement, Bailey shares her personal experience trying to cultivate friendships as a 30-something, along with tips for making and keeping friends more easily (spoiler: always keep a picnic blanket in your car trunk!). Ultimately, she reminds listeners that the soul’s desire for intimate communion reflects how we were made for a close, fulfilling friendship with God himself. When we hit up against the “radical incompleteness” we often feel, this is just a compass pointing us toward the One who thought up friendship in the first place.

You can learn more at ⁠baileygillespie.com⁠

Follow Bailey on Instagram ⁠@bailey_bluebird⁠

Other resources mentioned:

⁠
Alcoholics Anonymous

The Dark Night of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection Between Darkness and Spiritual Growth by Gerald G. May, M.D. 

“This love and desire represents something far deeper than emotions. They reflect humanity’s most profound motivation. This radical incompleteness that we feel determines the basic direction of our lives.” —Gerald G. May, M.D.    

Marco Polo app

Voxer app

Writing as a Way of Healing: How Telling Our Stories Transforms Our Lives by Louise DeSalvo 

How do you stay hopeful when your hopes unravel? Where is God when prayers feel dormant or a cherished dream lays in embers at your feet?

In the pilot episode of Listen to Your Life, Bailey Gillespie guides us through the idea that the given life unfolding before us (rather than the imagined life in our head) is inevitably a life marked by longings. Yet these longings are a taste of wholeness — they point us to eternity and are the very places where we encounter God's healing presence.

Bailey is a writer from Northern California who helps others live well and enjoy a meaningful life with God.

You can learn more by visiting her website⁠ at baileygillespie.com or following her on Instagram @baileylgillespie.

Other resources mentioned:

Carolyn Arends from the Renovare Institute for Spiritual Formation The Rabbit Room's annual arts conference, Hutchmoot "My story is important not because it is mine, God knows, but because if I tell it anything like right, the chances are you will recognize that in many ways it is also yours." —Frederick Buecher Inexpressible: Hesed and the Mystery of God's Lovingkindness⁠⁠ by Michael Card