For nearly a year I thought my next book was going to be one about making decisions:
- Why do decisions sometimes feel so overwhelming?
- What if our choice is between two good (or worse, two terrible) options?
- How can we move forward with regular tasks in the midst of a looming un-made decision?
- Did people in the Bible wrestle through decisions in the same way we do?
I had lots of ideas but little momentum.
Every time I would sit and try to work through these thoughts, I realized they weren’t coming to me as writing. At least, not yet. Instead, these thoughts wanted to be spoken.
Sometimes you know what the gift is but you have to wait for the right wrapping. In this case, the right wrapping was a podcast and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I’ve enjoyed recording, at least so far!
Each episode will offer a short reflection, a simple action, and a benediction to help you create a little more space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing.
First episodes coming next week! Listen below for a short preview and subscribe on iTunes or follow on SoundCloud so you won’t miss new episodes.
If you’re new here, welcome!
I’m Emily, author of four books, including Simply Tuesday and A Million Little Ways. I live in North Carolina with my husband John and our three kids, twin daughters and a son.
Once a month I send a subscribers-only letter and readers tell me it’s their favorite email of the month. I think it’s because when I write it, I have only one thing in mind: the health of your soul. It’s worth fighting for. Sign up here for the monthly letter.
Libby Unwin says
August 9, 2017 at 10:54 AMThe timing for this is incredible. Thank you. I need it.
Jessica McCormick says
August 9, 2017 at 11:31 AMHi Emily!
I do not have an iTunes account and use the CastBox app on my phone to listen to podcasts. Will I be able to find The Next Right Thing there too?
Thank you!
Jess
emily p freeman says
August 9, 2017 at 11:34 AMHi Jessica! So I have never even heard of CastBox – I will look into that and see about adding it there. Thanks for the heads up! We’re just figuring things out as we go over here. Appreciate your patience!
Jessica McCormick says
August 9, 2017 at 11:39 AMThank you! I am so excited. 🙂
Kathleen says
August 9, 2017 at 11:51 AMMy husband is in AA and he always talks about doing “the next right thing.” Apparently that is one of their many precepts. It has been very meaningful for him! Didn’t know if you knew of that connection. 🙂
emily p freeman says
August 9, 2017 at 2:30 PMyes! I mentioned that in the teaser, actually! So many wonderfully smart people offer this solid advice.
Lisa says
August 9, 2017 at 12:26 PMThank you Emily. Your voice is beautiful, soothing and hopeful. Your words are life-changing. I am one of the hesitant ones. You are an answer to prayer.
Mama Bear (Heather) says
August 9, 2017 at 1:42 PMI love this so much, cannot say enough how good this is, and is going to be!!! YEAH! My blood pressure came down as I listened, and this was a GOOD thing…glory be 🙂 I’m sharing this with all my web and non-web friends today!
Joanna says
August 9, 2017 at 3:28 PMOh Emily! As others have already commented – this is an answer to prayer for me. Thank you for sharing your gifts and adding value to others lives. ❤️
Donna says
August 9, 2017 at 3:45 PMThank you Jesus for once again shining through Emily!
Destiny says
August 9, 2017 at 4:33 PMI hope I can find it on Player FM. If not, I’ll try to put in an inquiry to request they add if you’re not able to get it added to their platform.
Lynn D. Morrissey says
August 9, 2017 at 6:15 PMI really love this, Emily. As an author, I know the importance of written words. As a speaker, I know the value of spoken ones. And as a singer (sometimes of melismas on one vowel sound), I know the importance of no words at all. But I’m glad you are speaking yours. I loved nothing more as a child for Mother to read bedtime stories to me–oh the sound of her voice! And now, my husband often reads to our daughter and me. We love holing up at our cabin to hear him read aloud the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. At Christmas he reads most of Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory. He stops, in tears, choked up at the end. So I read aloud where Michael leaves off. While I have enjoyed watching authors’ various videocasts (is that what you call them?!), I really prefer just listening to their voices. Hearing words sans images sparks the imagination. I will look forward to *your* words here, because I’m stymied by some really important decisions I must soon make. Who knows that the sound of your voice (which is lovely, by the way), and the selection of your words will spark my imagination towards solutions to making the right choices. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
Blessings,
Lynn
Lynn D. Morrissey says
August 9, 2017 at 6:18 PMEmily and readers, along the lines of “Do the next right thing,” I thought this might also be of interest. The late well-known author and speaker Elisabeth Elliot used to advise, “Do the next thing.” She found the phrase from this poem. Enjoy!
Lynn
http://www.achristianhome.org/Good_Things/a_poem_quoted_by_elisabeth_elliot.htm
Lynn D. Morrissey says
August 9, 2017 at 6:19 PMSorry. RE: the poem I just shared, I hadn’t noticed it says “by” EE. It’s not, and she never said it was. She discovered it as written in a parsonage in England, I believe.
Liz says
August 9, 2017 at 7:25 PMEmily, thank you. Seriously. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul. This calms me. Inspires me. Reaches me, right where I am. I look forward to hearing you often!
Kelli says
August 10, 2017 at 2:12 PMI’m smiled the whole way through the teaser. Thank you.
Amy says
August 10, 2017 at 7:17 PMI just know this is going to become one of my favorite podcasts. I even love the logo. I’ve begun praying earnestly over this thing in my own life, and I really can’t wait (another topic you have helped me with). Release it earlier!!! 😉
emily p freeman says
August 11, 2017 at 12:56 PMWell now you have something to look forward to : ) I’m glad to one you are excited and that this is a topic you feel you need. Me too!
Angie Hall says
August 14, 2017 at 1:36 PMI am SO looking forward to your podcast. I just discovered you while listening to the Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher. Everything you said there resonated with me! Thank you, thank you, for doing the work that you’ve been called to do. It’s a gift, and I’d like to thank you for sharing.
emily p freeman says
August 14, 2017 at 2:05 PMHi Angie! Welcome from Jenna’s place! I’m so glad you found me here and I hope this podcast is an encouragement to you.
Carrie says
August 16, 2017 at 9:47 PMLoving the podcast. Can you tell me what the music is? It’s so soothing.
Amy Balentine says
November 14, 2018 at 11:21 AMI’m curious too! I love it as well!
Camille says
June 23, 2019 at 1:21 PMYes!! Please, please tell us! I would love to learn to play it on piano!
Ashley says
August 17, 2017 at 5:31 PMSo excited to have found your podcast! I think we are kindred spirits! 🙂 I’d love to be able to play it on my Podkicker app… in case you are looking for more outlets. <3
Danielle Hicks says
August 31, 2017 at 2:53 PMTruly a wonderful podcast. I enjoy your books and am beyond thankful to have your voice in my earbuds on a weekly basis now.
Lynn says
September 6, 2017 at 4:51 PMI am so grateful that you have a podcast _ thank you!! What a great title for it.
I soak up your words and they resonate so deeply with me : ) God is using you to reach out to many people! I love your book, ‘Simply Tuesday’, and enjoyed the podcast by Amy ‘n’ Cheri on episodes # 37, 38 & 39 where you joined them with your insightful thoughts.
Light and Love to you, Emily!
Kari says
September 20, 2017 at 7:28 PMStumbled upon your podcasts after downloading the app Castbox… immediately loved listening to your words as i could relate to them and they were as soothing and hopeful as a cup of tea. Will definately tell others to listen! Thank you!!!
emily p freeman says
September 29, 2017 at 8:05 AMWelcome! So glad you’re here, Kari.
Jennifer Olson says
September 27, 2017 at 10:30 AMI feel like I was led to your work and podcast on a wonderful rabbit trail and I have been so blessed by it! Your voice and thoughts have been a bright spot in my days. In the midst of challenging transition your thoughts are a ray of hope and a fresh perspective that I have desperately needed. Thanks so much! I now want to read more of what you’ve written. Please keep writing! Thanks for always bringing it back around to the author and perfecter of our faith. That feels like his stamp and how I know it is He who leads me to find people like you! Blessings to you.
emily p freeman says
September 29, 2017 at 8:05 AMOh I’m so glad! Welcome, Jennifer. I hope you continue to be encouraged by what you find here.
Robyn says
September 28, 2017 at 8:27 PMI couldn’t figure out how to review this podcast on iTunes but I just wanted to let you know I love it! I’ve listened to most of the episodes and I just keep wishish I could highlight sound waves! It’s so good! Thank you!
Simi says
September 28, 2017 at 11:23 PMThank you so much for this podcast, what a blessing this is to me right now in the transition which I find myself. God Bless you for your obedience to do this.
Jennifer says
October 4, 2017 at 8:07 PMThank you so much for this inspiring podcast! I listened to all of the episodes in one day! Now I’m going to take my time and listen to each of them again. ?
Daniel Riggins says
October 19, 2017 at 11:07 PMI’m so glad I stumbled on this! It’s been awesome to listen to right as I happen to buckling down and deepening disciplines. Keep up the great work!
emily p freeman says
November 28, 2017 at 8:38 PMI’m so glad to hear it!
Sarah says
March 1, 2018 at 6:55 AMJust wanted you to know that your Podcast continues to reach people. I just started today and want to thank you for creating this beautiful Podcast to move others closer to God through your words. We are blessed by your excellent work and dedication. Thank you for following God as He has clearly succeeded in showing you your “next right thing”. Now for us to listen and find ours!
Kathy Troyer says
September 9, 2019 at 2:02 PMThank you. Thank you. Thank you. I started at Episode 80 and went forward and decided to go back to #1. You are a sweet spot in my hectic life.