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Hey Friend, I just got back from Texas, where I had the joy of speaking to an incredible group of women at a church in Waco. And some of what I shared with them is newer content I’ve been working on. A little bit of that is woven into today’s conversation.  But first, I want to talk about something I’ve been saying for years: getting up on the balcony.  Here’s what I believe: you cannot see your own life clearly when you’re standing in the middle of it. You’re too close. When you’re at ground level, all you can see is the next thing in front of you. Getting up on the balcony means stepping away — intentionally, seasonally — to get a wider view of your life. It’s one of the most necessary and most neglected rhythms I know.  About fifteen years ago, I started driving to Chicago every three months for a retreat. I didn’t love the drive, but arriving at that retreat center changed something in me. That rhythm of stepping away became foundational to my own personal and professional growth — and I’ve never regretted a single trip.  It doesn’t have to be far. It doesn’t have to be long. But it does have to be away. A weekly Sabbath does some of this work — and it’s valuable — but there’s something about a seasonal reset, a 24 to 48-hour step outside your ordinary routine, that reaches a different layer. After six years of offering retreats like this to our certified coaches, Farmer Dale and I are finally opening the farm to you. Small groups, intentional time, home-cooked meals, and the beauty and simplicity of life on a fourth-generation family farm in South Central Illinois.  Our first retreat is September 17–19, 2026. Only six seats. Registration is open now, and there’s already a waitlist forming — so don’t sit on this too long. If you’re in a season of transition, longing for clarity, or just overdue for a real rest and reset, this might be exactly what you need. 🌿 FALL FARM RETREAT: A small, intimate gathering here on the farm — limited to 6–8 people. https://therealifeprocess.com/farm 🌿 LINKS & RESOURCES:  • Farm Registration: https://therealifeprocess.com/farm • The Springs Retreat Center, Southern Indiana: https://www.thespringsindiana.org/ • All REALIFE Process® Resources - https://therealifeprocess.com

Hey friend, welcome back to REALIFE Conversations from the Porch. I'm coming to you on a rainy Saturday morning in Central Illinois with something I've been sitting with for a while — and I think it's finally time to say it out loud.  I've been teaching time management for almost ten years. And I think I've been using the wrong word.  The word that keeps surfacing for me — the one that changes the whole posture — is stewardship. Managing something implies you're in charge of it. But friend, you and I were never in charge of our time. We all get the same twenty-four hours. We don't control time — we live inside it.  Stewardship starts somewhere different. It says: this day, this week, this life has been gifted to me. Mine to tend to. And the way I spend it tells a true story about what I actually believe and what I actually value.  The four purposeful areas — Present Time, People Time, Project Time, and Prep Time — aren't going anywhere. But when I approach them from stewardship rather than management, something deepens. I'm not just scheduling anymore. I'm tending.  I'll leave you with this: Does the way you're spending your time feel like someone who knows they've been given a gift? Or does it feel like you're just trying to survive the week? We can change it — slowly, intentionally, with a lot of grace. That's the Real Life Process. FREE RESOURCES  • Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your favorite podcast app!  • Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? Click here to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. → https://byf.therealifeprocess.com/needs-values  • Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. → https://www.therealifeprocess.com/freeoffer  OTHER RESOURCES  • Prefer to watch and listen? Check out our YouTube Channel — subscribe so you get all the latest updates. → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDgZh9XIoKi4hyfBrf6jA3w  • Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush by Teresa McCloy is available now! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. → DoWhatMattersBook.com  • Discover Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your story — new digital downloads for personal or professional use. → www.onelifemaps.com

Hey friend, welcome back to Real Life Conversations from the Porch! This week’s episode came straight from a real moment in my own life — and honestly, I think it might hit a little close to home for you too. I’m coming to you fresh off a beautiful camping weekend with Farmer Dale, and I wanted to share something I’ve been sitting with: the idea that the little things are never really just about the little things. It started with my sock drawer. Yep — you heard that right. My sock drawer had quietly become a mess over the last six to eight months. Socks separated from their pairs, things tossed about, worn-out ones taking up space long past their time. And every time I opened that drawer, something inside me cringed. Maybe you know that feeling. Maybe it’s a drawer in your bathroom, your kitchen, your garage. Here’s what I’ve come to understand: that cringe isn’t you being dramatic. Research tells us that our brains are constantly scanning our environment and registering disorder — even when we’re not consciously aware of it. That low-grade irritation you feel when the mail piles up, the laundry sits in the basket too long, or the friend you’ve been meaning to call keeps getting pushed to the back burner? Those are signals. And they’re trying to get your attention. When the manageable things start slipping, it’s almost always a sign that something bigger is going on underneath. So what do we do with that? We pause. We bring it to the surface. We notice it without shame — because grace is always the way. In this episode, I also share how the 90-Day Reset built into the Real Life Process was made for exactly these moments — and why we need resets in small ways (weekly), medium ways (quarterly), and big ways (annually) to keep our lives from owning us instead of the other way around. And there’s an exciting announcement! This fall, I’m opening up the farm — Farmer Dale’s family farm right here in Southern Illinois — for a very small, very intentional Real Life Living Farm Experience. Think a handful of people, beautiful fall scenery, and real space to breathe and reset. If you want to be the first to know when dates are set, reply with the word FARM wherever you’re finding me, or email me directly at [email protected]. 📚 Also: The audiobook for Do What Matters: Live from Rest, Not Rush is now available on Amazon — read in my own voice! In This Episode: •       Why the little things are never really about the little things •       What your brain is actually doing when it scans a messy environment •       The difference between noticing and shaming yourself •       How the 90-Day Reset fits into the Real Life Process •       Weekly, quarterly, and annual rhythms for staying aligned •       A very special farm retreat announcement for this fall Mentioned & Links: •       📧 Email Teresa: [email protected] (spell “real life” with one L!) •       🌐 Website: thereallifeprocess.com •       📚 Do What Matters: Live from Rest, Not Rush audiobook — available now on Amazon •       🌾 Reply with FARM to get on the waitlist for the Fall Farm Experience

On todays porch talk I'll share a Saturday porch conversation about boredom, asking when I last let myself be truly bored without reaching for a phone, TV, or other noise. While camping in a new camper, I noticed my impulse to fill the quiet with Wi‑Fi, screens, and music, but choosing to stay in the stillness helped creativity come back to life and reminded me of childhood moments when being sent outside to “figure it out” led to play, wandering, and even writing music. I connect this to neuroscience and the brain’s default mode network, which supports creativity, problem-solving, and self-reflection, and to the biblical idea of being still. I challenge myself to stop solving boredom so fast, and I invite listeners to complete a short survey about content preferences and join an open summer conversation call. CLICK HERE TO TAKE OUR SURVEY FREE RESOURCES:Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your favorite podcast app! Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? Click here to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn't matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: Prefer to watch and listen? Check out our YouTube Channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush by Teresa McCloy is available now! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com https://DoWhatMattersBook.com/?UTM_source=YT&UTM_medium=organic Would you like to discover Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your story? Check out new digital downloads for personal or professional use here. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with me and fellow listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with Teresa on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: I'm Teresa McCloy, founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. I'm on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into everyday life. I live with my husband of 44 years on our 4th generation family farm in central Illinois, where you'll usually find me with a good cup of coffee on the porch, tending to my flower gardens, or planning my next adventure. Come pull up a chair and join me there. I'd love the company!

After seven years of recording a weekly podcast without missing an episode, something shifted. In today’s episode, Teresa opens up about why she recently stepped back, what she’s been wrestling with personally, and why the message behind her upcoming audiobook feels more urgent now than when the book was first released in 2022. We are living in a world that feels faster, louder, and more reactive than ever before. Between AI, nonstop news cycles, social media, and the pressure to constantly keep up, many of us are carrying a level of exhaustion we can barely name. But beneath all the noise, there is another invitation:A slower, more intentional way of living. In this deeply personal conversation, Teresa shares: Why the “old normal” wasn’t actually workingHow constant urgency is shaping our inner livesThe hidden cost of living reactivelyWhat she noticed in herself after years of nonstop outputWhy she believes we’re not longing for more content, but for depthHow creating a “rule of life” helps you live from rest instead of rushWhy this audiobook needed to be heard in her own voice This episode is ultimately an invitation:To pause.To listen.To ask yourself what kind of life you truly want to live before the world answers that question for you. A Question for You How rushed are you feeling these days, honestly? If you had to rate it from 1–10, where would you land right now? Hit reply or send Teresa a message — she reads every response. Coming Soon Teresa’s audiobook releases in less than a month, and podcast listeners will be the first to hear all the details. Stay connected for release updates and behind-the-scenes conversations coming soon. With love from the porch. FREE RESOURCES: Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your Favorite Podcast App Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link Teresa’s Book  Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush is available. ! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out New Digital Downloads for personal or professional use  here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.

In this episode, we sit down with our friend and fellow coach, Tim Austin, to explore what it really looks like to navigate a major life transition—especially when it involves calling, identity, and purpose. Tim shares his journey of spending 20 years overseas as a missionary and the unexpected challenges of returning home. What does it feel like to leave behind a place, a role, and a sense of purpose that defined so much of your life? We talk honestly about the loss, the uncertainty, and the deep identity questions that come with that kind of shift. We also explore the tension between urgency and trust—how easy it is to want immediate clarity, and how important it is to slow down, breathe, and allow space for God to lead. Tim opens up about the “in-between” season, where he stepped into a role he didn’t expect, and how that became a meaningful part of his journey into coaching. This conversation is especially for anyone walking through transition—whether you’re leaving a career, stepping out of ministry, or simply sensing that something new is unfolding. We reflect on how nothing is wasted, how past experiences shape future purpose, and how living on mission can look different in every season. We hope this episode encourages you to trust the process, embrace the unknown, and stay open to what might be possible next. FREE RESOURCES: Tim Austin https://www.encompasslifecoaching.com/ [email protected] Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your Favorite Podcast App Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link Teresa’s Book  Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush is available. ! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out New Digital Downloads for personal or professional use  here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!

In today’s episode, we’re having a real and honest conversation about something that doesn’t get talked about enough—the hidden costs of coaching. When I first started coaching, I thought it was mostly about showing up for sessions and having meaningful conversations. And while that’s absolutely part of it, there’s so much more happening behind the scenes. In this episode, Erica and I unpack three key areas that every coach—whether you’re just starting or growing your practice—needs to understand: ✨ The emotional and mental energy it takes to truly hold space for others ✨ The time commitment beyond the session itself (prep, follow-up, scheduling, and more)  ✨ The financial realities of building and sustaining a coaching business We also talk about capacity, boundaries, and how to steward your time and energy in a way that allows you to show up well—not just for your clients, but for your life. This isn’t about discouraging you—it’s about equipping you with the truth so you can build something sustainable, meaningful, and aligned with your calling. If you’ve ever wondered, “What is coaching really like day in and day out?”—this conversation is for you. FREE RESOURCES: Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your Favorite Podcast App Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link Teresa’s Book  Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush is available. ! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out New Digital Downloads for personal or professional use  here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!

In today’s episode, Erica and I sat down to have a really honest conversation about a question we hear all the time: Can you actually make money as a coach? We didn’t hold back in this one. We talked about the real journey—from feeling called to help people, to realizing that coaching isn’t just a skill… it’s also a business. I shared from my own experience of building multiple businesses over the years and how coaching eventually became the expression of both my calling and my entrepreneurial wiring. Erica brought such a grounded perspective as well, especially around what sustainability can look like in different seasons of life. We explored the difference between simply having coaching skills and actually building something that generates income. Because the truth is—those are two very different things. We also talked about: Why most coaches need more than one income streamHow your season of life impacts your business modelWhat “full-time” really means todayThe importance of investing in yourself as a coachAnd why you don’t have to have it all figured out to start One thing I want you to hear clearly: Yes, you can make money as a coach. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all path, and it does require intention, learning, and growth over time. If you’re in a place of wondering whether this could be something more for you, I hope this conversation gives you both clarity and courage to take your next step. FREE RESOURCES: Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your Favorite Podcast App Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link Teresa’s Book  Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush is available. ! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out New Digital Downloads for personal or professional use  here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!

In this episode, Erica and I talk about the role of the International Coach Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics, and why ethics should never feel like a restrictive set of rules. Instead, ethics are really about love, respect, and protecting the coaching relationship. We explore why clarity with clients matters—from written agreements to how faith might show up in sessions—and how being transparent builds trust. One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centers around the influence we carry as coaches. When clients bring deep emotions or spiritual questions into a session, it can be tempting to guide, correct, or even teach. But coaching isn’t about persuasion or authority—it’s about curiosity, partnership, and honoring the client’s own journey. Ultimately, faith and ethics aren’t in competition with one another. When done well, they actually strengthen each other. Integrity builds trust.And trust creates space for transformation. If you’re a coach who wants to grow in both your spiritual formation and professional practice, this conversation will encourage you to stay grounded, humble, and client-centered as you serve others. FREE RESOURCES:Link to ICF Code of Ethicshttps://coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-ethics/icf-code-of-ethics/ Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your Favorite Podcast App Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link Teresa’s Book  Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush is available. ! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out New Digital Downloads for personal or professional use  here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!

In this episode of Real Life Conversations for Christian Coaches, I sit down with Erica Vinson for a real, honest conversation about how technology has changed coaching—and how it hasn’t. We’ve both been coaching long enough to remember dial-in phone lines, paper notes, and simple scheduling. Now we’re navigating Zoom calls, AI tools, automated systems, and more options than ever before. But here’s what I keep coming back to: Technology has changed how we coach. It has not changed why we coach. In this conversation, we talk through what we’re seeing in the coaching space right now, including the shift from phone to video, how we think about scheduling and rhythms, and the growing presence of AI in coaching businesses. We’re not offering a step-by-step guide or telling you what tools to use. We’re inviting you into discernment. We talk about: How coaching platforms have evolved over timeWhy phone coaching still holds valueHow to use scheduling tools without losing marginWhat role AI can (and cannot) play in coachingCreating guardrails for your digital presenceWhy coaching remains an inside-out practice If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the tools available—or unsure how to move forward with clarity—this conversation is meant to steady you. You don’t need every new tool.You don’t need to panic about AI.You do need to stay present, grounded, and aligned with your calling.FREE RESOURCES: Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your Favorite Podcast App Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link Teresa’s Book  Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush is available. ! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out New Digital Downloads for personal or professional use  here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!

Episode 371 – Coaching from Rest, Not Rush In this conversation, erica and I  reflect on how our weekly rhythms and internal posture directly impact the quality of our coaching presence. This episode is especially for coaches who want to build a sustainable practice—one that allows space for rest, discernment, and long-term faithfulness. In this episode, we discuss: Why “being always available” often leads to burnoutHow to determine how many clients and sessions feel right for this seasonThe difference between managing time and stewarding itThe importance of margin before and after coaching callsEntering sessions with prayer, presence, and grounded intentionCoaching the person, not just the problemHow honoring your capacity supports long-term sustainabilityResources & Links: Learn more about the REALIFE Process Accelerator: 👉 https://therealifeprocess.com/acceleratorCertification information:👉 https://therealifeprocess.com/certificationUpcoming Accelerator Dates: February 24March 19Accelerators are intentionally small (3–4 people) to allow for depth, presence, and meaningful engagement.

As a Christian coach, I’ve wrestled with this question for years: Am I a Christian coach… or a coach who is a Christian? In this episode, Erica and I open an honest conversation about the tension many coaches feel around faith, integrity, and how explicitly to lead with our beliefs in our coaching work. We talk through two frameworks that have helped us personally and professionally: Faith-forward coaching and Faith-focused coaching. Neither approach is right or wrong—but each carries implications for our clients, our ethics, our messaging, and the kind of practice we’re building. Rather than offering quick answers, we invite you into discernment. To notice where your faith currently sits in your work. To reflect on who you feel most alive serving. And to consider what integrity might look like if you stopped trying to please everyone. This conversation is especially for you if you care deeply about faith, want to coach ethically, and are learning how to show up fully and honestly in this season of your life and work. You don’t have to decide this forever. You just have to listen for the invitation right now. FREE RESOURCES: Listen to our sister podcast the REALIFE Practice Podcast on your Favorite Podcast App Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link Teresa’s Book  Do What Matters, Live from Rest Not Rush is available. ! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out New Digital Downloads for personal or professional use  here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!

After seven years of weekly podcasting, we felt it was time to pause, reflect, and make a thoughtful shift. In this episode, we talk honestly about change—what it is, what it isn’t, and how to recognize when it’s time to realign rather than quit. This isn’t about ending something. It’s about pruning, tending, and creating space for healthier growth. We share why the podcast is shifting to an every-other-week rhythm, how our two sister podcasts will now work together, and what this kind of discernment has looked like for us as coaches and leaders. We also talk about capacity—how honoring it isn’t failure, but wisdom. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering: Is it time for something to change… or are we just tired?How do we honor our capacity without giving up on meaningful work?What does healthy growth actually look like in this season?This conversation is for you. Our hope is that as you listen, you’ll feel permission to slow down, notice what needs tending in your own life and work, and trust that change—when discerned well—can be a gift. FREE RESOURCES: Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: 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 lives through live group calls, group coaching, training videos, downloadable resources, and an interactive community. Visit www.therealifeprocess.com/membership to join us today! Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link My new book, Do What Matters, is available NOW! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out these tools here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!

January often comes with pressure—to reset, to plan, to figure everything out quickly. But what if the beginning of the year is meant to be entered slowly? In this solo episode, I reflect on the year that was, shares my Word of the Year—Quiet Trust—and invites Christian coaches, therapists, spiritual directors, and helping professionals to consider a gentler way of beginning the year. Drawing from personal experience, Let’s explore: Why January doesn’t have to be a deadline How honoring the year we’ve lived shapes the year ahead What Quiet Trust means in both life and leadership How a word or phrase can guide us from being into doing Why sustainable, faithful work requires trust more than urgencyI also want to share  ways listeners can stay connected and supported throughout the year through pop-up workshops, community, and certification opportunities. This episode is my  invitation to walk into the year—not run—and to trust the work God is already doing. FREE RESOURCES: Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: 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 lives through live group calls, group coaching, training videos, downloadable resources, and an interactive community. Visit www.therealifeprocess.com/membership to join us today! Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link My new book, Do What Matters, is available NOW! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out these tools here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!

As we step into a new year, I invite you as a  listeners into a quieter kind of beginning. This episode features a prayer I originally wrote on New Year’s Eve of 2023—a prayer I’ve returned to again and again. This prayer isn’t bound to one year. It’s a companion prayer for every season. In this reflective episode, I  shares the full prayer and then walk through the heart behind each line—inviting you to consider how planning, presence, stillness, work, and faith can be held with open hands rather than pressure. This conversation is for anyone who wants to begin again gently—without hustle, without fixing, and without urgency—by returning to what matters most. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: Why beginning again doesn’t have to be dramatic How to plan well while holding your days with open hands The importance of noticing people in ordinary moments Rethinking stillness as presence, not perfection How daily practices shape a grounded, faithful life over time Reflection Question: What might you want to carry into this year as a practice—not a pressure? therealifeprocess.com/resources FREE RESOURCES: Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment. FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn’t matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource! OTHER RESOURCES: 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 lives through live group calls, group coaching, training videos, downloadable resources, and an interactive community. Visit www.therealifeprocess.com/membership to join us today! Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. My Book Link My new book, Do What Matters, is available NOW! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com. LifeMapping Tools Would you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out these tools here https://www.onelifemaps.com/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME: Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®, a framework designed to empower individuals and groups with the tools, training, and community needed for personal and professional growth. Through the REALIFE Process®, Teresa is on a mission to help others grow in self-awareness, establish sustainable rhythms, and enhance their influence and impact by integrating faith and work into their everyday lives. She lives with her husband of 42 years on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens and traveling as much as possible.  About Erica Vinson: Erica Vinson helps clients walk through defining moments with confidence and courage enabling them to move forward in freedom and embrace fearless living. As an ACC Credentialed and Certified Professional Life & Leadership Coach, she uses wisdom from all 3 Centers of Intelligence to help clients gain deeper self-awareness and grow in relationships with others both personally and professionally. Erica is a certified REALIFE Process® Master Coach, an ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner, and has a certificate in Spiritual Transformation through the Transforming Center. She lives in the Metro East St. Louis area and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, golfing, tennis, boating/water skiing, traveling, is a bit of a technology nerd and loves learning!