This Week’s Listener Question:

Why doesn’t the Soul Enchilada Podcast discuss politics or take a stance on today's key issues?

SOUL Group Questions:

Ask each other these questions to build a stronger connection with a friend or in your Soul Group.

1. What do you notice about your body/nervous system when you’re watching a heated, polarized debate?

2. Think of a political issue where people take one of two opposing sides. What would be a wise middle path between those opposing paths?

3. Where are you being called to be an agent of reconciliation or spend time with people who have different viewpoints from you?

4. How can you lead with love when listening, talking, or spending time with people who hold different political or spiritual views than you?

Connect with the Soul Enchilada:

Have a question for us? Please send them to questions@soulenchilada.com.

Check out our new cool and cozy t-shirts at soulenchilada.com

Connect with Laura:

To sign up for one-on-one grief and/or faith support with Laura, visit griefandhope.org

To ask Laura to speak at your event – laurabusse.com

Learn more about Laura’s ministry, The 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call – HERE

Connect with Christine:

To learn more about Christine’s counseling practice – HERE

This Week’s Listener Question:

Looking back before your best friend died, what do you wish you’d known and what surprised you about grief?

SOUL Group Questions:

Ask each other these questions to build a stronger connection with a friend or in your Soul Group

1. Laura and Aubrey invited you into their intimate conversation and shared raw stories of grief and loss. What’s one story you can relate to?

2. When Aubrey’s best friend, Jenn, was dying, she visited her often and stayed close; yet, God seemed to be far away. When have you had a season in life when God seemed distant or silent?

3. Why do you think it’s helpful to share our grief and heartache with other women? How has your life benefited when you have been vulnerable and honest with a girlfriend?

4. What’s one thing you want to remember from Laura and Aubrey’s real and raw conversation? Does knowing that encourage you to take action or make a change?

Connect with Laura:

Have a question for us? Please send them to questions@soulenchilada.com.

Check out our new cool and cozy t-shirts at soulenchilada.com

To sign up for one-on-one grief and/or faith support with Laura, visit griefandhope.org

To ask Laura to speak at your event – laurabusse.com

Learn more about Laura’s ministry, The 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call – HERE

Connect with Aubrey Sampson:

Learn more about Aubrey – aubreysampson.com

Follow Aubrey on Instagram – @aubsamp

Resources:

What We Find in the Dark: Loss, Hope, and God’s Presence in Grief – Book

Known: How Believing Who God Says You Are Changes Everything – Book

This Week’s Listener Question:

How do you reconnect with someone special to you when it’s been a hot minute/month/or even years?

SOUL Group Questions:

Ask each other these questions to build a stronger connection with a friend or in your Soul Group.

1. Name 2-3 people you’ve lost touch with whom you would like to reconnect with.

2. What obstacles hold you back from reaching out to them today?

3. What do you think is contributing to the rise of loneliness in the US? What are some ways you can safeguard your life from loneliness and live in close connection with others?

4. Why do you think it’s vitally important to share our lives with others and stay closely connected? How will you do that this week?

Connect with Laura:

Have a question for us? Please send them to questions@soulenchilada.com.

Check out our new cool and cozy t-shirts at soulenchilada.com

To sign up for one-on-one grief and/or faith support with Laura, visit griefandhope.org

To ask Laura to speak at your event – laurabusse.com

Learn more about Laura’s ministry, The 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call – HERE

Resources:

Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware – BOOK

This Week’s Listener Question:

This week, Laura talks with longtime friend, author, and Orthodox Jewish woman Dinah Bucholz about how to love our neighbors in a world where antisemitism is ever present for Dinah and her family. They share real stories, raw emotions, and highlight how we can lead with love, even when our neighbors have different faith practices or worldviews.

SOUL Group Questions:

Ask each other these questions to build a stronger connection with a friend or in your Soul Group.

1. What about Laura and Dinah’s conversation encouraged or challenged you?

2. Have you ever experienced or witnessed racial and religious cruelty similar to Dinah’s daughter being shoved off the subway? If so, how did you feel, and what did you learn?

3. In what ways can we take the time to learn more about our neighbors who may hold different beliefs or view the world through a unique lens?

4. Dinah explained that love is about doing, not necessarily about feeling. When have you witnessed loving your neighbor in action?

5. Million Dollar Question: How can we look past a person’s appearance and see them as made in “God’s image”? (Email Laura if you have any Ah-ha thoughts ;)

Connect with Laura:

Have a question for us? Please send them to questions@soulenchilada.com.

Check out our new cool and cozy t-shirts at soulenchilada.com

To sign up for one-on-one grief and/or faith support with Laura, visit griefandhope.org

To ask Laura to speak at your event – laurabusse.com

Learn more about Laura’s ministry, The 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call – HERE

Scripture Mentioned:

Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. – Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Love your neighbor as yourself. – Leviticus 19:18

Good Samaritan Story – Luke 10:25-37

SOUL Group Questions:

Ask each other these questions to build a stronger connection with a friend or in your Soul Group.

1. What did you hear from Laura and Mick’s conversation that surprised you about grief?

2. When have you walked through the D’s Laura brought up (death, divorce, devastation, disease, debt…)? How did that experience impact how you see the world today?

3. What are ways we can support people who are grieving? Why is it important to be careful with the words we choose and the language we use around grief and loss?

4. Who needs your presence, listening ear, or loving-kindness because they are walking through a dark valley or along a tough road? How will you show up for them?

Connect with Laura:

Have a question for us? Please send them to questions@soulenchilada.com.

Check out our new cool and cozy t-shirts at soulenchilada.com

To sign up for one-on-one grief and/or faith support with Laura, visit griefandhope.org

To ask Laura to speak at your event – laurabusse.com

Learn more about Laura’s ministry, The 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call – HERE

This Week’s Listener Question:

My child came home from college and says he now identifies as gay and has a boyfriend. I was raised in a church that believes homosexuality is a sin. What do you think I should do?

SOUL Group Questions:

Ask each other these questions to build a stronger connection with a friend or in your Soul Group.

1. What are your first thoughts and emotions after listening to this podcast? What comes up for you?

2. When you’re faced with a tough topic, how do you usually prepare for the conversation and carry it out?

3. If you grew up in the church or attend one now, why do you think some sins are talked about more than others?

4. Laura and Christine referred to the Bible passage Micah 6:9 – What does the LORD require of you? To act justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. How might this call help us to have the courage to engage in tough conversations?

Connect with Laura & Christine:

Have a question for us? Please send them to questions@soulenchilada.com.

Check out our new cool and cozy t-shirts at soulenchilada.com

To sign up for one-on-one grief and/or faith support with Laura, visit griefandhope.org

To ask Laura to speak at your event – laurabusse.com

Learn more about Laura’s ministry, The 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call – HERE

Learn more about Christine Ruth, counseling practice, and future retreats – HERE

This Week’s Listener Question:

It seems that we’re living in a time when family and friends disagree significantly on important issues. I find myself arguing with some people and ignoring others because I’d rather live in unity and everyone get along. Do you have any advice?

SOUL Group Questions:

Ask each other these questions to build a stronger connection with a friend or in your Soul Group.

1. How has judgment, categorizing, or labeling wounded you or someone you care about in the past?

2. How can we step back from judging others and open up curious conversations? What does that look and sound like?

3. Even when you disagree with someone, how can you maintain a connection of love or friendship?

4. When have you welcomed people into your home or life who have different beliefs or lifestyles than you? Share your stories to encourage others to do the same.

Connect with Laura & Christine:

Have a question for us? Please send them to questions@soulenchilada.com.

Check out our new cool and cozy t-shirts at soulenchilada.com

To sign up for one-on-one grief and/or faith support with Laura, visit griefandhope.org

To ask Laura to speak at your event – laurabusse.com

Learn more about Laura’s ministry, The 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call – HERE

Learn more about Christine Ruth, counseling practice, and future retreats – HERE

This Week’s Listener Question:

I just got a job offer to move to Portland, Oregon. I’ve always lived in the Midwest. If I go, I’ll leave family, friends, and everything familiar. But this is a great opportunity for my career, and it could really feed my adventurous soul. How do I decide?

SOUL Group Questions:

Ask each other these questions to build a stronger connection with a friend or in your Soul Group.

1. What intelligence center (head, heart, or gut) did you use to make decisions as a child? Which one was prioritized in your family of origin?

2. How have you cultivated or practiced an intentional time of stillness? Where do you tend to go? What do you do during this time?

3. Let’s practice! Think about one decision you need to make. Now imagine each option you could take. How does each one feel in your body? Do you have a sense of pressure, delight, or expansion? Does this help you make your decision?

4. When have you done something afraid where you were trembling with fear? What did you learn about yourself, God, or others from this experience?

Save the Date:

Laura and Christine are planning a Soul Enchilada Live (SEL) event in Boulder, Colorado, on June 13 – 14, 2025. More information will be coming soon!

Connect with Laura & Christine:

Have a question for us? Please send them to questions@soulenchilada.com.

Check out our new cool and cozy t-shirts at soulenchilada.com

To sign up for one-on-one grief and/or faith support with Laura, visit griefandhope.org

To ask Laura to speak at your event – laurabusse.com

Learn more about Laura’s ministry, The 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call – HERE

Learn more about Christine Ruth, counseling practice, and future retreats – HERE