The Next Right Thing - with Emily P. Freeman

Latest Episodes:

132: Why is Decision-Making So Hard? Jun 23, 2020

Show notes

In the United States, we place a high value on our independence, on our ability to choose for ourselves, and to have things the way we want them when we want them. And while I know I'm speaking in broad strokes and this doesn't necessarily describe every US citizen, it does in many ways describe us as a whole. But this is not necessarily a shared value around the world. Why is it so hard for us to make decisions? Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode:

Literary London with Tsh Oxenreider
In Europe, little refrigerators hold a grand reason for less waste by Evan Kleiman for the LA Times
Sheena Iyengar's TED Talk The Art of Choosing and her book by the same title
How cultures around the world make choices by Amy S. Choi
What's Your Decision? by Fathers Michael Sparough and Tim Hipskind
Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
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131: Start Where You Are Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

What can I do? This is a question many of us are asking as we're learning more about what it means to work towards hopeful change and justice in this country. And in that question, it can become quickly overwhelming to know where to start. Speaking as a fellow journeyer without easy answers, I still believe what we talk about here every single week is as relevant now as ever - do the next right thing. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

On Racism: Learning to Speak and to Listen
Ephesians 2 (NIV)
One by Deidra Riggs
Start Where You Are by Rashawn Copeland
One by Deidra Riggs
Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
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130: Do What Sounds Fun Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

I'm used to asking what sounds smart, wise, kind, or thrifty. But when it comes to making decisions, one question I often forget to ask: what sounds fun? Here's a personal story of how I'm learning to give that question some attention in my own life and how it's impacting my business and ministry. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

Episode 114: Welcome Your Loneliness
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Annie F. Downs and her podcast That Sounds Fun
That Sounds Fun Network
Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
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On Racism: Learning to Speak and to Listen Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

This episode may seem a bit disjointed, last minute, and scattered. That's because it is all of those things. But if we wait to speak out until we feel polished or impressive, I fear we'll be silent for far too long. I confess that's been true for me.

Sometimes our next right thing is to stumble forward together, not because we know exactly what we're doing but for the sake of love and justice.

May we know when to speak up and when to stay silent. When we are silent, may it be because we are learning and listening and not because we are afraid.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

129: Where Are You At Home in The World? May 26, 2020

Show notes

Months of stay-at-home orders or even safer-at-home campaigns can drive even the most homebody among us to find ways to at least want to get outside or find a change of scenery.

But since travel might not be in the cards for us anytime soon, what might be a next-right-thing posture we could practice today? Inspired by Tsh Oxenreider's book At Home in the World, lately I've been thinking a lot about books and about home so today you'll get some reflection on both.

Perhaps you, like me, could use a bit of reframing as it relates to this place called home. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

My interview with Anne Bogel on What Should I Read Next
My book, Simply Tuesday
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
How Ramona Quimby Helps Kids Make Sense of This Unstable World by Rachel Richardson
At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider
Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
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128: Use Your Reimagination May 19, 2020

Show notes

At the beginning of the year, you may have imagined what 2020 would bring. I feel sure no one imagined what we would end up getting. Today I want to invite you to join me in an exercise of reimagination. And here's a hint: you're already really good at it. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

Grace Discipleship: John Freeman
Here and Now by Henri Nouwen
hope*writers: We're open for enrollment May 18 - 22, 2020!
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
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127: Don't Try To Be Great May 12, 2020

Show notes

In his book based on a commencement speech he gave at Dartmouth College in 2011, Charles Wheelan tells a story about advice he never forgot and wants to pass on to graduates: Don't try to be great. Let's put the pandemic aside, discover the freedom in that counter-intuitive advice, and give three cheers to the students, teachers, and families of the graduating class of 2020. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

10 1/2 Things No Commencement Speaker Has Ever Said by Charles Wheelan
Life Without Lack by Dallas Willard
Souvenirs of Solitude by Brennan Manning
Episode 81: Listen To This Before Graduation
Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
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126: Being Consistent Is Not The Goal May 05, 2020

Show notes

These days, we all are making decisions with less awareness of what's going to happen next, with less dependence on a predictable life rhythm, and with less solid information. It's no wonder our daily decisions feel so hard.

Should we clean or rest? Watch the news or avoid it? Be strict with the kids or lighten up? Should we use this time to be productive or take a break? Work hard or calm down? See friends from a safe social distance or not at all? Celebrate now or wait for when we can all gather?

What is our next right thing and how can we know? That's today's episode. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
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125: Read Psalm 23 Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

The six verses in Psalm 23 do more than comfort us in death. They guide us in life. And if we're paying attention, these six lines can teach us how to walk into every room every day of our lives.

Psalm 23 is a next right thing kind of psalm and I will never get over it. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

Psalm 23 (NASB)
You Learn By Living by Eleanor Roosevelt
Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
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124: Reimagine Your Work Day Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Today I'm revisiting a topic we've talked about here before but with a bit of a new spin in light of the world having changed and everything. I hope this will be especially helpful if you worked from home before the pandemic and now you have to find new ways to do that thing you've always done — listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode: