For years, Brian J. Plachta lived by logic. As an attorney, he thrived on strategy and success—yet beneath the achievement, he felt a restlessness he couldn’t outthink. His faith was real but distant, more learned than lived. When that inner ache grew louder than the demands of his calendar, Brian began seeking God not in concepts but in quiet. That search transformed his life—and became his lifelong mission: helping others experience the peace and presence of God in everyday life.
A lifelong Catholic, Brian learned early to value faith, reason, and service. He earned his Juris Doctor degree and spent more than two decades practicing law before hearing a deeper vocational call—to help people find the peace he himself had long sought. He went on to earn a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling and became a certified spiritual director, blending the clarity of a legal mind with the compassion of a soul guide.
For over thirty years, Brian has led retreats, workshops, and spiritual direction sessions across the country, teaching practical ways to quiet the mind and awaken the heart to God’s presence. Drawing on Scripture, the Christian contemplative tradition, and insights from psychology and neuroscience, he coined the term divineFlow—a path that helps people move from striving to surrender and from information to transformation.
His book Finding Flow: Spiritual Practices to Reclaim Inner Peace, Balance, and Wholeness is endorsed by clergy and lay leaders nationwide for its accessible wisdom and down-to-earth guidance. His forthcoming book, Divine Flow: Reclaiming the Lost Art of Contemplation for Everyday Life, continues that invitation to live in rhythm with grace.
Brian lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife, Denise. They have four adult children and a lively band of grandchildren who remind him daily that life’s holiest moments often come wrapped in ice cream smiles, sidewalk chalk, and bedtime prayers.
Whether leading a retreat, writing, or sitting with a directee, Brian’s purpose is steady: to help others quiet their minds, listen for God’s voice, and live from the deep peace of divineFlow.
Featured Talks
Quiet the Noise: Discovering the Power of Stillness
In a world that prizes productivity and noise, silence can feel impossible. Brian guides audiences into simple, daily practices that open space for God to speak. Through stillness, we rediscover inner peace and learn to live from a place of presence rather than pressure.
Replacing the Doom Scroll with Soul Food
The Gift of Spiritual Reading What we feed our minds shapes our souls. This talk invites participants to trade distraction for nourishment—to replace endless scrolling with the wisdom of Scripture and the inspiration of the saints. Brian offers practical ways to create a rhythm of spiritual reading that leads beyond information to transformation.
Circles of Trust: Finding Companions for the Journey
Faith deepens in community. Drawing from his work in spiritual direction, Brian helps audiences identify and nurture relationships that call them to growth, authenticity, and joy. Together, we learn the power of shared discernment and mutual encouragement in walking with God.
Discover Your Divine Design: Uncovering Your Spiritual Gifts and Purpose
Every person carries a unique reflection of God’s creativity. Brian’s engaging teaching helps audiences recognize their spiritual gifts, understand their purpose, and live out their calling with confidence and gratitude. It’s an invitation to serve God from who you truly are.
When God Feels Distant: Living the divineFlow Lifestyle
Sometimes we wonder if God hears us. We whisper, “Where are You, God?” Yet God’s silence isn’t absence—it’s invitation, gently drawing us closer to the heart of Divine Love. In this keynote talk, Brian introduces the contemplative path of divineFlow—a way of life that helps us recognize God’s presence through quiet time, spiritual reading, discovering our spiritual gifts, and walking with others in community. Listeners leave with renewed hope and simple tools to quiet their minds and experience God’s presence in everyday life.
