There are moments in life when something feels off, but we can’t quite explain why.

In this Seat at the Counter conversation, Laura is joined by Kristan Swan, a life and spiritual guide who helps people reconnect with themselves through curiosity, reflection, and honest exploration.

Together, they explore the tension between inner knowing and external messaging, how conditioning can shape the way we relate to ourselves, and what it looks like to gently rebuild trust in your own voice. Kristan shares how early experiences, relationships, grief, journaling, and self-reflection helped her begin listening to what was true beneath the surface.

This is a conversation about noticing, questioning, and learning to honor what you sense, even before you can fully name it.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The tension between what you feel and what you’ve been told
• Why it can be difficult to trust your inner knowing
• How early experiences shape self-trust and identity
• The fear that can come with becoming more fully yourself
• Learning to listen to your own discernment in relationships
• Gentle ways to reconnect with what feels true
• Journaling as a practice of noticing and self-trust

Soul Care Reflection

• What are you sensing, even if you can’t name it yet?
• Where might your inner knowing be asking for your attention?
• What would it look like to approach yourself with curiosity instead of doubt?

Scripture / Reflection

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10

A Gentle Resource from Kristan

Kristan has created a free workbook, Clouds to Clear Skies Clarity, designed to help you explore your inner knowing, reflect on your story, and reconnect with what feels true for you. https://kristanswan.com/clouds-to-clear-skies/

This resource offers simple, thoughtful prompts to help you slow down, listen inward, and begin putting language to what you’ve been sensing.

Connect with Kristan Swan

You can learn more about Kristan and her work at:  https://kristanswan.com

Through her journals, workshops, and guided classes, Kristan helps people explore their stories, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and move forward with clarity and intention.

Next Steps

Listen gently. Reflect slowly. Trust what stayed with you.

If this conversation stirred something deeper, you’re welcome to explore more through Laura’s book At the Counter:

https://amzn.to/4c4RSIv

And the companion Soul Pause Journal:

https://amzn.to/4dO0GEV

Closing

Pull up a chair.

You don’t have to have all the words right away.

If this episode met you where you are, I’d love to hear from you. What stayed with you?

Support the show

☕ The counter is always open.

If today's conversation stirred something in you, you'll find more gentle reflections, soul care resources, and ways to connect at BakingPastor.com.

You can also explore the At the Counter Soul Pause Journal, created as a companion for quiet moments of prayer, reflection, and everyday faith.

And if you'd like to share a question, reflection, prayer request, or something that's been sitting with you, visit Voices from the Counter and leave a message. You may even hear your voice in a future episode.

👉 https://bakingpastor.com/

*****Interested in being a guest on At the Counter with the Baking Pastor?

I invite you to listen to a few recent conversations first to get a feel for the heart of the podcast.

At the Counter is a gentle space for honest conversations about faith, grief, burnout, identity, healing, purpose, and the sacred ordinary moments of everyday life.

If it feels like a good fit, I'd love to hear from you on PodMatch:

👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/atthecounterwiththebakingpastor

Pull up a chair and tell me what you'd love to bring to the counter.