Bookish Talks with Lia

In this episode, I chat with Bethany McIlrath, author of the Abigail series , about teaching kids biblical truth through stories. We discuss the heart behind the series, how relatable characters and everyday adventures help young readers apply Scripture to their lives, and her newest release,  Abigail and the Fear Fix . Bethany also shares how parents can help children navigate their fears while l...

In this episode, I'm joined by Katie Polski to discuss her new devotional,   You Are a Child of God: Devotions for Living Your Grace-Filled Identity . Together, we explore what it means to live confidently as a daughter of God, why so many women struggle with their identity, and how the truth of the gospel provides freedom, security, and hope. Katie shares the heart behind this eight-week devo...

Walking Through Anxiety and Depression with Hope Blanton and Christine Gordon In this episode, I’m joined by returning guests Hope Blanton and Christine Gordon to discuss their new book, Hope for the Anxious and Depressed: A Biblical and Practical Guide for Christians Walking through the Darkness . Anxiety and depression are struggles many Christians face, yet questions about faith, counseling, me...

In this episode, I am joined by Courtney Doctor to talk about her new children’s book,  Andy and His Big Question: A Story About How God’s Love Always Comes First , which she co-wrote with her grandson, Bo Doctor. We talk about the inspiration behind the book, answering kids’ big questions about God, teaching children foundational biblical truths, and creating space for meaningful conversations ab...

What does the Bible have to say about what we wear? In this episode, I’m joined by Caroline Saunders, author of  B ut What Do I Wear?: The Biblical Story of Clothing, How It Helps Us Think About Getting Dressed, and Approximately Seventeen Stories I May Regret Telling . We talk about the biblical story of clothing, why getting dressed can carry so much emotional weight, and what it looks like to a...

In this episode, author Ana Ávila joins me to discuss her new book, Life in Devotion:Cultivating a Deeper Relationship with God in the Everyday. We talk about what it looks like to move beyond a checklist or a “quiet time” routine and into a life of communion with the Lord. Ana shares her story of coming to know Christ, how she stepped into writing and ministry, and the heart behind this book. We...

What does it look like to care for one another well in your local church? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Helen Thorne-Allenson, author of A Church That Cares: A Biblical Guide to Loving One Another Well . We talk about what it means to build a culture of care in your local church and why caring for one another isn’t simply the responsibility of pastors or counselors. It’...

Do you ever feel like you're constantly running from one thing to the next, yet still feel restless and exhausted? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I'm joined by author and ministry leader Aimee Joseph to talk about her newest book, Made to Rest: True Peace in a World That Never Stops . We talk about why it's so difficult for us to truly rest, the ways control, striving, and...

In this episode, I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin to discuss her newest book,  Dust to Dust: Aging Wisely in an Anti-Aging World . In  Dust to Dust , Jen challenges the cultural narrative that aging is something to fear or resist. Instead, she invites us to see aging through a biblical lens and recognize the dignity, wisdom, and value found in every season of life. In this episode...

In this episode, Shannon Popkin joins me to talk about her book Kinda Judgy and how Scripture reshapes the way we think about judgment, pride, and mercy. Through six biblical stories, Shannon helps us see how easily a critical spirit can take root and how Jesus leads us into something better by receiving mercy and extending it to others. If you have ever felt weighed down by comparison, criticism,...

In this episode, I am joined by author and Director of Women’s Ministries Cheryl Marshall to discuss her new book All of Me: Pursuing a Life Wholly Devoted to God . We talk about what it means to live wholeheartedly for God, how His mercy fuels our devotion, and how Romans 12:1–2 calls believers into whole-life worship. Cheryl shares biblical encouragement for women who want to grow in devotion, o...

I’m so excited to welcome Sarah Rice back to  Bookish Talks with Lia ! Sarah previously joined me to talk about her book  Gospel-Shaped Womanhood , and in this bonus episode released as we are all gathered at The Gospel Coalition Women’s Conference, we’re looking ahead to her upcoming Bible study,  Becoming a Gospel-Shaped Woman . This study walks through Ephesians over ten weeks and is designed t...

Friendship can be one of God's greatest gifts, but building and maintaining meaningful relationships isn't always easy. In this episode, I'm joined by returning guest Bailey T. Hurley to discuss her new book,  The Friendship Devotional: 40 Days to Move Past Loneliness and Find Your Community . Bailey shares why so many women struggle with loneliness, what it looks like to cultivate dee...

In this episode, author Dustin Crowe joins me to discuss his book Your Wilderness Is Not a Waste . We talk about how seasons of suffering, waiting, spiritual dryness, and uncertainty can become places where we more clearly see God’s presence and work in our lives. Dustin unpacks key wilderness stories in Scripture including Hagar, Moses, David, Elijah, and Jesus, helping us understand how God is f...

In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I am joined by Megan Hill, author and managing editor for The Gospel Coalition. We’re discussing her booklet  Sabbath Rest , part of the  Disciplines of Devotion  series from Crossway. In this episode, we talk about what Sabbath rest is, why God gave it to us as a gift, and how to practically implement it in everyday life. Megan shares wisdom on slowing...

In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I am joined by author and Bible teacher Emily Jensen, co-founder of  Risen Motherhood , to discuss her booklet  Worship  from The Gospel Coalition’s  Disciplines of Devotion  series. We talk about what it looks like to move beyond a limited view of worship as something reserved for Sunday mornings and see it instead as a daily, whole-life response to wh...

In this episode, I am joined by author and Bible teacher Glenna Marshall to discuss her booklet in Crossway’s Disciplines of Devotion series, Bible Study . Together, we talk about what it looks like to build simple, sustainable rhythms for studying Scripture, especially in the middle of a distracted and busy culture.  Glenna shares practical encouragement for women who want to grow in consistency,...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Annie VanderHeiden, author of Cradled: Christ's Care for Postpartum Moms.  We’re talking about the realities of new motherhood—the identity shifts, the physical exhaustion, and the quiet moments where you might wonder who you even are anymore. Annie shares from her own postpartum journey and reminds us that Christ meets us right in the middle of it all. Throug...

In this episode, I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Sharonda Cooper. We spend time getting to know her and hearing more about her parenting journey as a mom who has launched two kids. Sharonda shares from her own experiences in motherhood, offering both encouragement and perspective for whatever season you may be in. We also talk about her 5-week devotional, Wisdom for Parenting , and how it h...

In this episode, I’m joined by Amy DiMarcangelo, author of the 5-week devotional,   Wisdom for Fighting Sin . This resource dives into what it looks like to trust Christ in the ongoing fight against sin and how the gospel gives us real hope in the middle of it. We talk about how to bring our struggles to God honestly without shame, and what it means to rely on Christ instead of ourselves in the fi...

In this episode, I’m joined by Brad Wetherell, senior pastor at a church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, to talk about his book  Saved to Sin No More: How Union with Christ Empowers a Life of Holiness . We spend time unpacking what it really means to be united with Christ and how that truth speaks directly into our everyday experience of sin, guilt, and fear. Brad walks us through how Scriptu...

In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Abbey Wedgeworth. We’re talking about her new book, Help! I’m Ruining My Kids. In this conversation, we talk about the weight of our shortcomings in everyday parenting moments and how easy it is to feel like we are not measuring up. Abbey helps us think biblically about motherhood, pointing us back to Christ instea...

In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Brittany Allen, author, wife, and mother, to talk about her book  Free to Weep: Finding the Courage to Grieve and Embracing the God Who Heals . The last time Brittany was on the show, we talked about her book  Lost Gifts . In this conversation, we turn to the topic of grief more broadly and what it looks like to walk through suffering hone...

In this episode, I’m joined by Timothy St. John, a counseling pastor and author of  After Church Hurt: Healing in the Care of the Good Shepherd . We’re talking about church hurt and healing, what it is, how to recognize it, and what it looks like to begin healing in a healthy, biblical way. Timothy shares practical wisdom and Scripture-based guidance for processing pain, rebuilding trust, and disc...

In this episode, I am joined by Joanna Kimbrel to talk about her devotional, You Are Satisfied: Devotions for Your Longing Heart (Gospel Truth for Women) . We’re diving into how we can find true contentment and satisfaction in God—even when life feels messy, disappointing, or uncertain. Joanna shares practical ways to turn to Scripture, trust God’s provision, and focus on the Giver rather than the...