Pastor Writer: Conversations on Reading, Writing, and the Christian Life

Doug Basler — Finding Novels for the New Year

Doug Basler is married to his wife, Katie, and is the father of Addie, Jackson, and Isaac. He currently serves as pastor of Union Park Presbyterian Church in Des Moines and First Presbyterian Church of Grimes. His pastoral ministry has also taken him to congregations in Aberdeen, Washington, and Cooke City, Montana.Doug recently completed a Doctor of Ministry in the Sacred Art of Writing at Western Theological Seminary and holds degrees from Westmont College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of All Swirling and Weaving: Reflections on Reading Fiction and Growing in Faith, a work that explores how attentive engagement with literature can shape Christian imagination and spiritual formation.A lifelong sports fan, Doug roots enthusiastically for the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Tommy Brown — Why the Bible Calls us to a Quiet Life

Author Tommy Brown joins me to talk about his new book, The Speed of Soul: Four Rhythms for a Quiet Life. We explore what it means to love deeply, live quietly, mind our own affairs, and work with our hands. We all feel like the speed of life is accelerating, but how does the Bible call us to a different way of living? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Janet Kobobel Grant — Your Book Needs a Better Hook

Janet Kobobel Grant is the President and Founder of Books & Such Literary management. She is also an experienced writer and has experience within top publishing positions. Janet and I have had the privilege of working together on several publishing projects. She joins me on the podcast to talk about developing a great book proposal and why the hook is so important to publishers. She also shares details on a new writing initiative her agency is launching to help authors take the next step in their publishing career. You can learn more at booksandsuch.com/writing-intensive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Katherine González — Sailing, Writing &Lessons in Faith

From the Graveyard of the Pacific to the paradise of the Polynesian Islands…This is the true story of a journey with real people, real places, and the adventures that inevitably follow.Katherine and Andrés leave lucrative jobs and a stable life to accomplish his dream of sailing the world.She worries what awaits them beyond the horizon: Failure? Pirates? Poverty? Will they make it to the South Pacific, and will they survive the voyage? (Better yet, will their marriage?)The epic expedition puts them face-to-face with waves that threaten to take their lives, whales that take their breath away, and strangers who show serendipitous hospitality.Katherine, a natural storyteller, invites you aboard to experience first-hand an immersive, multimedia journey that places you on deck as they cross the world’s largest ocean. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Karen Stiller — Reclaiming a Life of Holiness

These days, brokenness feels more comfortable to discuss than holiness. It’s easier to say that we are messy than holy, that healing is a long way off. To say that we are holy seems like one step away from holier than thou, and no one ever wants to be that.Holiness Here offers practical and inspiring ways to transform your life by helping you see the holiness within your ordinary, everyday life. Holiness is a warm invitation to a new and better way to live a calling for our lives in Scripture a search that marks the life of a Christian (even when we don’t live fully into that reality) a most basic urge―to live and love differently that we did before―because what we believe changes the way we act As a fellow pilgrim on the journey, Karen Stiller weaves together captivating stories, theological insights, and spiritual reflections to help you discover holiness in the mundane moments of your life. With her engaging style and accessible voice, Karen invites you to embark on a journey of spiritual growth, discipleship, and wisdom. You will explore holiness from a fresh perspective, from the importance of community and the role of the church to ways to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and live out your faith. Karen also explores topics like the fruit of the Spirit, money and work, hospitality, and humility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices