Brian J. Plachta
Writer, Spiritual Director, and Speaker
Brian J. Plachta is a writer, spiritual director, and speaker. A lay ecclesial minister for thirty-five years, Brian holds a master's in pastoral counseling and is a frequent teacher on a broad variety of practical spirituality topics at workshops, retreats, conference centers, and colleges. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Dominican Spiritual Life Center in Michigan and is the founding partner of Plachta, Murphy & Associates, where he practices law. Brian’s passion is helping men and women discover their Inner Compass—the divine voice of wisdom in their souls.
Brian’s blog, Simple Wisdom for Everyday Living, has more than a thousand subscribers, and he’s been sending a new blog post to his subscribers every week since April 2016. He is also the author of two self-published books: Pillars of Steel: How Real Men Draw Strength from Each Other and Life’s Toolbox: Blueprints Included.
A life-long learner, Brian recently graduated from the two-year program at the Rohr Institute for Action and Contemplation and has taken theological courses at Western Theological Seminary and Creighton University. Brian has been a spiritual director for twenty-five years and volunteers at Guiding Light Mission, an addiction recovery center.
He and his wife of thirty-six years live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with their dog, Riley, and cat, Rascal. Having successfully launched their fourth child, the Plachtas are empty-nesters who now enjoy an ever-growing brood of grandchildren.