Narrative Society

In this episode of the Narrative Society podcast, Josh Bull shares a Christmas message from a recent church service in Melbourne. He reflects on the joy, hope, and meaning of Jesus’ arrival, even in challenging times, and shares stories from the journey of planting a new church in the city. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, encouragement, or a deeper understanding of the Christmas story, this episode invites you to experience true joy and hope in Jesus.

Do you ever wonder how to have a quiet time and meet with God? In today's episode, Josh sits down to share part 2 on his thought around prayer and the importance of being still & knowing God.  Today's episode is helpful and practical. It will give you real-life examples of how to meet with God.  Follow Josh Bull: @joshuabull_ Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content: www.joshuabull.org Email: [email protected] Matthew 6:5-6 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

On today's episode with Parker Smith, we talk through habits, the importance of goal setting, and setting targets for the teams you lead plus give an inside look into the realities of leading a small business while being a husband and father.  There is a lot to learn from this conversation.  We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends. Follow Parker Smith: https://www.instagram.com/parkersmithstatefarm/ Instagram: @joshuabull_ @taylabull_ Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content: www.joshuabull.org Email: [email protected]

How you view God shapes the way you live.What comes to mind when you think about God? In part one of this thought around prayer we talk about the idea of shutting the door, praying to your father in heaven, and how you can be honest with God.  Follow Josh Bull:@joshuabull_Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content:www.joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected] notes:Matthew 6:5-65 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward youThe depth of a relationship is shown in how honest you are with one another. Your level of honesty shows the depth of a relationship.Ps 140:10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!Ps 68:3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.Ps 142:2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.

John Shelton is a pastor, worship leader, and songwriter who just published his first album. This episode will show you the behind-the-scenes of developing your gifting/character over the years. We talk through the writing process, and creativity in general and know this will encourage you no matter what you do. We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Follow John Shelton:@johnshelton_Check out his album - Love & WarFollow Josh Bull:@joshuabull_Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content:www.joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

 Grieving birthdays and the anniversaries of loved ones passing away are always monumental. How do we handle these days? How do we navigate the holidays and grief? In this episode, Josh shares what the four year anniversary of his mums death was like. He also  speaks to Christmas, what it was like and lessons learned from this year. We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Instagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content:www.joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

Kate Young is an author, and poet who just published a brand new book. This episode will show you the behind-the-scenes life of an author and the process of development over the years. There are lots of helpful insights in this conversation for anyone who is working on a craft, developing their character, and pursuing their dreams. We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Follow Kate Young:@youngkate__https://www.youngkate.com/Instagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content:www.joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

Here's a drive-by episode chatting through the past few weeks with my family being in town from Australia and some lessons learned.We chat about thanksgiving and living a life full of thankfulness. We talk about the pain of the holidays and how God redeems. We talk about legacy and walking through pain together. I hope this episode encourages you. Instagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content:www.joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

It's been a while and we're excited that season 2 of Narrative Society is here! We've got a lot for you to enjoy this season where we are going to interview a bunch of guests and have special interactive episodes. Here's a little life update for you and get ready for all that is ahead! We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Instagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content:www.joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

At 2.5 years old Mari Clarie's mom tragically passed away. Growing up with her dad and brother she had to walk through life without her mom and the pain that came with it. As a teenager, her dad showed her a journal from her mom that had letters written to her that changed her life. She grew up and saw God's redemptive work through the pain. She's her mom's legacy and is now a mother herself living with hope and impacting others.  In this episode, she shares openly and honestly about the reality of grief. No matter what you're walking through this episode will encourage you and bring hope.   We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Follow Mari Claire:@mariclairehawkinsInstagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Sign up for the newsletter and exclusive content:www.joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected] declarative prayer from my Mari Claire on healing:  “My wings trust the Wind of your Spirit. I am dependent on your love every day. I look to you daily for companionship. By evening I rest in your arms. You restore what is broken. Your kindness makes me whole. I am no longer a captive to my pain - I spread my once broken wings and soar on your healing. I love you, God. Amen.”

How do you celebrate mother's day after loss, miscarriage, or death? Is there still joy to be found in the day? How do you celebrate and grieve with those around you?  In this episode, Josh & Tayla chat about mother's day and what they've learned about this special day, and what has helped them prepare for this big day every year.We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Instagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Download '22 books for 2022joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

The Ukraine refugee crisis is heartbreaking. Recently Austin Duffey got to fly to the Polish and Ukraine border to witness the refugee crises and see a community of people come together to help bring aid and support to the refugees. In this conversation, you'll hear stories of refugees, what it was like at the border, what the refugee centre felt like and how we can be a part of the solution. Connect with BCA Poland - www.bcapoland.orgWe hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Instagram:@duffandstuff@joshuabull_@taylabull_Download '22 books for 2022' joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

Stories from dating. How's our marriage going? Lessons from becoming parents. If we could repeat one memory with Josh's mum what would it be? In this episode, Josh & Tayla chat about all sorts of topics are together. Some tears are shed and there's lots of laughing. Enjoy this chat!We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Instagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Download '22 books for 2022' joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

Does therapy matter? When should you go and see a counsellor? Who do you go and see? What's the point of seeing someone? In this episode Josh shares some of his experience with seeing a counsellor help with his journey of grief. It was awkward and uncomfortable at times but so worth it! Seeing a professional became a safe space to be completely open and transparent. It helped him learn more about the way his brain was wired, the reason he thought a certain way and gave tools for walking through grief. We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Instagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Download '22 books for 2022' joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected].

A couple of weeks after Josh's mum had passed away his family had to learn what the new normal of life would look like while grieving. In this episode Josh tells the story of saying goodbye to his family in Australia, hopping on a plane and flying back to his life in America. He talks about how his community and friends played such a big part in his grief journey. When they arrived back at their house which they had only gotten the keys to a few days before his mum died, they were welcomed home to a house full of friends who had made their house feel like a home. They had filled their fridge with food, cleared out the moving boxes and made their home so inviting. It was a moment they wouldn't forget, a community was with them through the pain. This episode is all about trying to find the new normal of life after the death of their mum and how their friends played such a big part in their healing journey. We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends.Instagram:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Download '22 books for 2022' joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected] 

How are you supposed to scatter the ashes of someone you love? Is there a playbook for how to handle grief? This moment felt like the close of one chapter of grief and the beginning of a big long journey. It was Josh's last day in Australia and after his family decided to cremate his mum's body he woke up early one morning to go scatter some of her ashes. There he sat looking at the ocean, feeling the cocktail of all the emotions. Trying to remember some of his memories with his mum. Let his mind wander about the future. What would his life look like without his mum? Up until this moment, it felt like she was gone on a holiday or he was just having a bad dream. But this bad dream was very quickly sinking in as his reality as he held his mum's ashes knowing that she wasn't coming back. She was gone. Listen to this podcast to hear what that moment felt like scattering his mum's ashes. We hope this podcast helps you see the power in your story! We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends as we hope it helps people. Social Media:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Download '22 books for 2022' joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected]

No one could prepare us for the exhaustion of grief. When you hear the news that a loved one has passed away adrenaline kicks in and you do whatever you have to do to survive. Decisions have to be made, things have to get done then all of a sudden this extreme exhaustion hits. In this episode, Josh shares the behind the scenes of exhaustion of grief. After his mum's funeral Tayla and he snuck away for a couple of nights to comprehend what had just happened. This was a moment when the reality of grief started to sink in. What their future was going to be like without their mum was hitting them. We hope this episode encourages you. We'd love you to leave a review and share this with your friends as we hope it helps people. Social Media:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Free Grief Toolkitjoshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected]

How do you prepare for a funeral? What do you do when the person you love the most suddenly dies? What decisions are you supposed to make? In this episode, Josh and Tayla share the story of preparing for the funeral of their mum and what it was that was like. Hear about special moments looking over photos from the past and being flooded with memories. How people changed the holiday plans to fly to come and be at the funeral. How many lives were impacted by this moment of celebrating the life of Joanne Bull. Social Media:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Free Grief Toolkit:joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected]

It's storytime while road tripping to Sydney. Josh shares some stories from his time in Australia and talks about what it was like returning to Australia without his mum being here. How at random moments he would feel grief triggered and what that was like. This episode is full of stories, book recommendations and a flat tyre. Enjoy this bonus episode and we'll get back into our regular episodes next week. Social Media:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Free Grief Toolkit:joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected]

There he found himself throwing away his mum's possessions while wishing his mum was still here. In this episode, Josh talks about the time when his family cleared out his mum's possessions and reflects on the life that they had together. This episode will make you think about what you will leave behind you when you die. It's a question we must ask ourselves. Will we live a life accumulating possessions or will we live a life for a legacy? Social Media:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Free Grief Toolkit:joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected]

How do you handle grief on Christmas day? What are you supposed to do? Only days early Josh's mum had died but there he found himself on Christmas morning sitting at the table he grew up on. Looking at the seat his mum had always sat at knowing she wouldn't sit there this Christmas or ever again. What turned out the be this bizarre mix of pain and joy was his families first Christmas. Listen to the story of their first Christmas since his mum died. Social Media:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Free Grief Toolkit:joshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected]

Flying to Australia, Josh had a moment of panic realising he'll never make a memory again with his mum. So he got this journal out and wrote down as many memories as he could remember of his mum. These memories and moments would shape him for the future. After landing in Australia he later found himself standing in the same place he saw his mum in person for the last time in person but this time he wouldn't see her again. He'd then embrace his Dad for the first time since her death, they'd be on this journey together. What do you do when you're alone with your thoughts in the middle of grief? Social Media:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Free Grief Toolkitjoshuabull.orgEmail:[email protected]

How are you supposed to fly around the world when you just found out your mum died? Josh and Tayla sit down for a chat telling more of the story of how they had to respond to death. Within 24 hrs after the death of Josh's mum, they were on a plane to travel around the world to Australia to be reunited with family but it felt like everything possible that could go wrong did. Enjoy this conversation and share it with your friends. Social Media:@joshuabull_@taylabull_Free Grief Toolkitjoshuabull.org

Flying around the world with a toddler is a wild ride but the Bulls made it to Australia! Josh hit record while walking around Sydney to share some stories about their travel, the impact of the pandemic and tells about how it's been 3 years since seeing his mum in person. Enjoy this bonus episode. Get the Grief Toolkit for free at joshuabull.org and connect on social media: @joshuabull_ Subscribe and share this with your friends!

How are you supposed to react to the news that your mum had died? How do you tell other people the worst news you've received? How do you spend those first few hours with the pain of grief?After hearing the news Josh's mum had died, he had to immediately respond and click into action mode. He would crush Tayla's world by telling her the news and doing everything they could to get back to Australia to be with family. In this episode, you'll hear about the story of that brutal night.Get the Grief Toolkit for free at joshuabull.org and connect on social media: @joshuabull_ Subscribe and share this with your friends!

A regular day turned into the worst day of Josh's life. This is the episode where he tells the in-depth story of his mum suddenly passing away.  It was four days before Christmas. The last day of work before the holidays was nearly over when all of a sudden he saw multiple missed calls from his dad and a text that said, "Josh call me now." He knew something was wrong... What awaited him on the other side of that call would change his life forever. He felt the crushing weight of grief cripple him in a moment. He felt pain pierce his heart. His mum was gone?!?!?! Get the Grief Toolkit for free at joshuabull.org and connect on social media: @joshuabull_ Subscribe and share this with your friends!

4 days before Christmas Josh's mum suddenly died. This is a key part of his story. In this episode, Josh Bull shares the idea that one day we will be old (a little bit wrinkly) and sharing the stories of our lives. He shares some of his stories around death, grief and loss. Often in life, we have to walk through painful seasons and we need others to share some light for the journey ahead of us.This episode gives an introduction to the journey that we're about to go on in this season of the podcast talking about grief. Get the Grief Toolkit for free at joshuabull.org and connect on social media: @joshuabull_Subscribe and share this with your friends!

Days before Josh's mum died she was texting him asking to set a time to Facetime for Christmas - he didn't think much about it. The day before she died he missed a call from her. At that moment he took those simple things for granted yet his world would radically change when he got that call from his dad telling him his mum dad died. Life is filled up with many simple mundane moments that we don't think much about but there are also many moments we won't forget. We struggle to remember what we had for lunch yesterday yet we can remember a random moment from our childhood. In this episode, Josh reflects on some key moments of his life that lead up to the moment his mum suddenly died. Get the Grief Toolkit for free at joshuabull.org and connect on social media: @joshuabull_ Subscribe and share this with your friends!