What does it look like to practice retreat with other people? In this episode, we continue our discussion on the spiritual practice of retreat, specifically focusing on the concept of experiencing retreats in community. We share insights from personal experiences and provide practical tips on finding or creating community retreats. We'll highlight the importance of setting expectations, using guiding resources, and the benefits of intentional time spent with God and others. You'll hear possibili...
Aug 12, 2025•19 min•Ep. 101
What do you actually DO while you're on retreat? In this episode, we talk about the logistics of planning a retreat, setting intentions, balancing structured and unstructured time, and effective reentry into everyday life post-retreat. We also discuss the importance of non-judgmental awareness during retreats and offer practical tips for creating meaningful retreat experiences. You'll also learn the power of integrating mini-retreats into your regular routines and explore resources for deeper sp...
Jul 29, 2025•23 min•Ep. 100
What are the practical and logistical things that need to happen to plan a retreat? In this episode, we're talking about how to actually make a retreat happen. We discuss the importance of pre-deciding to set retreat dates on your calendar and offer tips on choosing the right environment, managing distractions, and preparing for a meaningful retreat experience. We also highlight the importance of tuning out digital distractions and focusing on creating a space for spiritual growth and reflection...
Jul 15, 2025•24 min•Ep. 99
When we practice retreat, sometimes we need someone to give us a little guidance on how to start and what to do. In this episode, we’re joined by guests Joan Kelley and Gail Donahue as they share their experiences and insights on facilitating retreats through their ministry, Sacred, which provides guided solitude retreats. We reflect on the significance of creating intentional spaces for rest, reflection, and encounter with God. The conversation is full of encouragement and practical tips for th...
Jul 01, 2025•39 min•Ep. 98
How has the practice of retreat shown up in your own life? In this episode, we’re sharing our personal stories and experiences of spiritual retreat. We talk about youth group retreats and structured programs we’ve done as adults, plus how this has looked in different seasons of our life. We also share practical advice on integrating retreats into your life, even during busy seasons, and how structured retreat programs can provide necessary support. CLICK HERE for your free resource on the spirit...
Jun 17, 2025•21 min•Ep. 97
What is the spiritual practice of retreat, and how can it look in your everyday life? In this episode we discuss the meaning of retreat in a spiritual sense, emphasizing the importance of creating space for connection with God. We’ll explore the different rhythms and environments for retreat, the invitation to withdraw from daily life, and the importance of intentionality. We also preview upcoming episodes, which will include practical tips, guest insights, and a downloadable resource to help yo...
Jun 03, 2025•21 min•Ep. 96
How can you use journaling to process your emotions? In this episode, we introduce you to the N.O.W. Process Tool, an acronym that stands for Notice, Open, and Whole-Self Response, which helps process experiences through the centers of heart, mind, and body. We’ll share exactly how to use this tool for deeper journaling, personal growth, and spiritual connection. We’ll discuss the importance of naming emotions, how using a feelings chart can help you express what you notice, plus we’ll give you ...
Apr 08, 2025•25 min•Ep. 95
How can a practice of reviewing your days help you grow spiritually? In this episode, we’re continuing our conversation about spiritual journaling with the practice of Examen. We discuss our personal experiences with journaling as a means to connect with God and reflect on everyday life. This episode highlights the importance of recognizing God's presence during the writing process and we explain how the Examen is a practice for discerning God's activity and voice throughout the day. You’ll hear...
Mar 25, 2025•31 min•Ep. 94
How can journaling help you learn to listen to God? In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome special guests Rebecca and Jay Madden as they share how journaling helped them to connect to God and their life story. Jay and Rebecca, authors of the book Breathless Haste, share how journaling played a pivotal role in the writing of their book and their spiritual journeys. They offer practical tips and insights on how to start and maintain a journaling practice, overcome common fears, and the transfo...
Mar 11, 2025•35 min•Ep. 93
S2, Ep. 3 Journaling: Prompts to Help You Get Started Do you ever wonder what exactly you should write when you journal? In this episode, we continue our discussion about spiritual journaling and how to get started when facing a blank page. We're sharing how journaling prompts can help you overcome the challenge of knowing what to write, and we give you practical questions to help guide your journaling. Make sure to get your FREE download HERE of journaling prompts to help you connect with God! ...
Feb 25, 2025•19 min•Ep. 92
Does journaling have to mean writing pages and pages of words? In this episode, we're having a conversation about the countless ways you can approach this practice, and how to make it work for you based on your personality and preferences. Whether it's making a list, using bullet points, doodling, writing by hand, or typing it out, you're sure to find an approach that works for you! Journaling doesn't have to be long or fancy to help you pay attention to God's movement in your life, and we hope ...
Feb 11, 2025•19 min•Ep. 91
How can the practice of journaling help you grow spiritually? In this season of the podcast, we’re exploring this together. Listen in as we share our own personal journeys and struggles with journaling, and talk about how we REALLY feel about it. We invite you to commit to trying this practice with us as in this season, we’ll learn how journaling helps us pay attention to God in our everyday life. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get your free resource of journal prompts to help you get started with this practice...
Jan 28, 2025•25 min•Ep. 90
Do you set goals or resolutions for the New Year, only to forget what they were by Febuary? In this special New Year's Eve bonus episode, we’re talking about how to pursue life change that really lasts as we move into a new year. Rather than focusing on traditional goals, we’ll introduce the concept of projects, which offer more flexibility and a greater sense of progress. Drawing inspiration from Teresa's book 'Do What Matters,' we highlight the benefits of small, consistent practices over big,...
Dec 31, 2024•7 min
How can pre-deciding help us implement the practice of solitude? In this episode, we’re wrapping up our season on solitude by encouraging you to identify one next step to help you act on your desire to live out this practice. We’ll talk about the power of pre-deciding routines and rhythms to incorporate solitude successfully. This episode will encourage you to start small with manageable steps and will give you practical advice for making space for God amidst the busyness of life. 00:00 Welcome ...
Dec 17, 2024•15 min•Ep. 89
If we know we need solitude and want to practice it, why do we have so much resistance to it? In this episode, we'll explore the common obstacles to solitude, such as daily distractions and the avoidance of confronting personal thoughts and emotions. We're also sharing more about the REALIFE Practice Membership launching in January, along with an invitation to join us for a free live call this week! We hope this episode helps you take small steps towards incorporating more silence and stillness ...
Dec 03, 2024•15 min•Ep. 88
What does practicing solitude look like in different seasons? Today we are thrilled to welcome special guest Sibyl Towner, spiritual director and Founding Leader of oneLife Maps. She shares her experiences and practical insights on finding quiet spaces in a busy world. Sibyl emphasizes the significance of creating environments conducive to solitude, shares her journey into practicing solitude, and discusses how it has evolved throughout her life. We also share more about our new REALIFE Practice...
Nov 19, 2024•39 min•Ep. 87
In this special bonus episode of the podcast, you'll hear spiritual director and oneLife Maps Founding Leader Sibyl Towner share her life story. We believe each story matters, and we know you'll be inspired by Sibyl's life and journey with God. JOIN THE REALIFE PRACTICE MEMBERSHIP The REALIFE Practice Membership is designed for those who want to grow spiritually, but feel like REALIFE is getting in the way. We’ll learn how to integrate meaningful spiritual practices and tools into our daily live...
Nov 19, 2024•48 min
What do you actually DO in solitude? In this episode, we get really practical as we share practical tools and practices you can engage in during solitude, including various apps like Lectio 365 and Pray As You Go. We also walk you through a technique called “download” and introduce you to The Welcoming Prayer by Thomas Keating. You’ll also hear about the new REALIFE Practice Membership launching in January 2025, which is a space to help you integrate your faith into everyday life through communi...
Nov 05, 2024•21 min•Ep. 86
Where is your sacred space for solitude? In this episode, we continue our conversation about the practice of solitude as we explore how it can transform from an obligation to an invitation to connect deeply with God. We discuss creating personal spaces—whether at home, in nature, or even in the car—for reflection and prayer, emphasizing the use of breath prayers to maintain a sense of God's presence. We’ll share practical ideas to help you establish rhythms and routines for solitude, identify po...
Oct 22, 2024•21 min•Ep. 85
Welcome to the REALIFE Practice Podcast, Season 1: Solitude. In this episode, we'll introduce the theme of solitude and explore the concept of finding quiet spaces amidst the noise of everyday life. How can we identify sources of noise that keep us from quiet, both internal and external? You'll also hear practical guidance on incorporating solitude into daily routines to foster a deeper connection with God. Even a few minutes of solitude in your day can have a big impact, so we hope this episode...
Oct 08, 2024•18 min•Ep. 84
Join hosts Teresa McCloy and Lindsay Sterchi in the premiere episode of the Real Life Practice Podcast as they reintroduce the former One Life Maps podcast under a new name. This season focuses on the practice of solitude and how to find quiet spaces in our busy lives to connect with God. The hosts share their personal experiences and insights on spiritual growth, exploring life stories, and paying attention to God in both ordinary and extraordinary moments. You'll also learn about the tools and...
Sep 16, 2024•7 min
We are excited to let you know that oneLife Maps will have a new home with the REALIFE Process® and Teresa McCloy’s stellar team. Our teams have had both personal and professional connections for years and we want to share what this move means for you, and why the REALIFE Process® is something we think you’ll be intrigued by, both for yourself and for those whom you serve. Listen in to this conversation Sibyl and Sharon recently had with Teresa McCloy, founder of the REALIFE Process®, and Lindsa...
Mar 01, 2023•29 min•Ep. 83
oneLife Maps is, at its core, interested in helping people to recognize and respond to God in their stories. There is so much to be said on the topic of life story as a spiritual practice that we recorded a second episode on the topic that moves in a different direction. I hope you enjoy this one, too. If you have engaged in 'Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story' visual life mapping, you'll see that this conversation relates directly to the bottom line on the...
Apr 12, 2021•28 min•Ep. 82
Sharon Swing hosts a conversation with Jodi Niznik about the life of Moses and her new study, Choose. Jodie Niznik is Adult Ministries Pastor at Irving Bible Church in Irving, Texas. She holds a master’s degree in Christian education with an emphasis in women’s ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary and has served in various pastoral roles in the church. Jodie is the author of Choose: A Study of Moses for a Life That Matters , and coauthor with Sue Edwards of Galatians: Discovering Freedom in...
Jan 31, 2021•35 min•Ep. 81
Jim Brule is a Maggid, a trainer of story-tellers from the Jewish tradition and an End-of-Life Dula. His passion is transformational storytelling -- the art of thought-provoking wisdom-sharing. Listen in as Sharon Swing talks to Jim about how stories connect, transform and heal us. You can learn more about Jim at http://www.transformationalstorytelling.org and listen to stories from many tellers on his Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/PowerfulStorytelling Please explore www.onelifema...
Jan 03, 2021•51 min•Ep. 80
Thomas A'Kempis wisely stated that 'an unexamined life is destined to repeat itself.' What does that mean and what can we learn from the act of examining ourselves and our life stories? Join Host Sharon Swing as she talks it thru with Sibyl Towner and Joan Kelley. If you have engaged in 'Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story' visual life mapping, you'll see that this conversation relates directly to the bottom line on the 'My Life Story' map, where you are ask...
Dec 27, 2020•31 min•Ep. 79
Self-Awareness proceeds God-Awareness in the spiritual life. We may have picked up the idea that self-awareness is somehow not considered spiritual. Listen in as Sibyl Towner and Joan Kelley join host, Sharon Swing to discuss the importance of self-awareness in the spiritual life. If you have engaged in 'Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story' visual life mapping, you'll see that this conversation relates directly to the bottom line on the 'My Life Story' map, ...
Dec 20, 2020•31 min•Ep. 78
oneLife Maps is, at its core, interested in helping people to recognize and respond to God in their stories. If you have engaged in 'Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story' visual life mapping, you'll see that this conversation relates directly to the bottom line on the 'My Life Story' map, where you are asked to consider how you have noticed God, or viewed who God is over the course of your life. This conversation is a great way to help you sort out what stori...
Dec 13, 2020•35 min•Ep. 77
Host, Sharon Swing, welcomes Keith Anderson to the podcast to discuss his book: Reading Your Life’s Story: An Invitation to Spiritual Mentoring: Spiritual mentoring is a particular kind of friendship in which, according to Keith R. Anderson, "two or more people walk together in heightened awareness of the presence of yet Another"―the Holy Spirit. "Spiritual mentoring is not a complicated process that requires technical training and complex protocol," Anderson continues. "It is essential, authent...
Dec 07, 2020•51 min•Ep. 76
Louis Dooley was a young man who found himself imprisoned with a life sentence for theft and attempted murder. Through a miraculous turn of events, Louis received Jesus Christ in prison and recognized he had new life in Christ. Today, Louis is a free man providing pastoral counsel to current inmates, in hopes of the gospel setting them free. He is the Author of 'Prison Saved My Life: I Recommend it to Everyone' available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Prison-Saved-Louis-Dooley-Gruber/dp/15938...
Nov 01, 2020•38 min•Ep. 75
