What does it look like to make a big transition in mid-life, and how does this impact life with God? In this episode, we continue our series on seasons of spiritual formation across decades by welcoming Jim Carroll, who transitioned from nearly 30 years in physical therapy to serving as a campus pastor. Jim shares how midlife questions like “Is this all there is?” led to a process of discernment and a career change. He describes the excitement and challenges of the shift, especially time boundaries, while noting strong continuity in people-focused care. Jim reflects on God’s long-term preparation through loss, faith development, mentors, and community. Listen in!
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00:00 Welcome and Series Setup
00:56 Meet Jim Carroll
02:36 Midlife Questions and Career Restlessness
05:42 The Unexpected Pastoral Call
06:24 Discerning the Decision
10:03 First Months as Campus Pastor
15:47 How God Prepared Him
19:56 New Rhythms and Spiritual Practices
26:04 Mentors Community and Generational Perspective
29:53 Wrap Up Resources and Next Episode
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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 over four decades on their 5th generation family farm in central Illinois and enjoys great coffee, growing beautiful flower gardens, and traveling as much as possible. Connect with Teresa on
Facebook or
Instagram.
About Lindsay Sterchi:
Lindsay Sterchi is the Spiritual Formation Director at the REALIFE Process®. She also writes about habits and rhythms for the Mind, Body, and Soul for a holistic approach to spiritual growth and formation at
lindsaysterchi.substack.com.
She lives with her husband Tyler and elementary-aged twin daughters. She has an M.A. in Transformational Leadership from Bethel Seminary, and her background is in church ministry.
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, you’re most likely to find her reading a good book. Connect with Lindsay on
Facebook or
Instagram.
What is the REALIFE Practice Podcast?
The REALIFE Practice Podcast is a space where hosts Teresa McCloy and Lindsay Sterchi explore the rhythms of life through the lens of spiritual growth. Together, they provide practical insights on how to integrate faith into everyday moments, offering tools and resources for deepening your faith, and recognizing and responding to God in your everyday life story. Through personal stories and reflections, the podcast encourages you to pay attention to God’s presence in both the ordinary and extraordinary. Whether you’re seeking spiritual renewal or simply want to practice living with intention, this podcast is your guide to nurturing your faith in daily life and your deeper life story.