Bookish Talks with Lia

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...

In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Jen Oshman, author, Bible teacher, and women’s ministry leader, to talk about her newest study, Very Good: What the Bible Says About Being a Woman. There are so many messages coming at women about who we are and what our lives should look like. It can feel overwhelming trying to sort through what’s true and what’s just noise. In this conve...

This is a tender but deeply important conversation. I’m joined by Vaneetha Risner to talk about her new book,  This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce , and to walk through the deep heartache of divorce, grief, and what it looks like to keep trusting God in a story you never would have chosen. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Vaneetha’s honest reflections on s...

Motherhood was never meant to be a solo sport, yet many of us find ourselves navigating it alone. Today, I’m chatting with Ashlee Gadd, founder of Coffee + Crumbs and editor and contributor of  You're in Good Company . This book is a collection of essays about friendships, food, hospitality, and the kind of community so many moms are longing for. It’s full of real-life stories, practical ideas...

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Dr. Natalie Brand to discuss her new book, From Crimson to White: Finding Gospel Joy at Calvary . You might remember Dr. Brand from Episode 5: Ladies Love Theology , and it was such a joy to welcome her back to the podcast. Many Christians struggle with guilt, shame, and the constant pressure to perform. Add the busyness of everyday life, a...

Have you ever opened your Bible and wondered,  Where do I even start?  Or maybe you’ve felt unsure if you’re “doing it right.” In this episode, I’m talking with  Kelly Needham , author, Bible teacher about her new study,  See for Yourself: How to Study Your Bible with Confidence and Joy . We cover practical tools for studying Scripture, what to do when a passage feels confusing or hard to apply, h...

In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m talking with the team behind  Redeemed Reader , a ministry helping Christian parents and educators confidently choose books for children and teens. We dive into their book,  The Redeemed Reader: Cultivating a Child’s Discernment and Imagination Through Truth and Story , discussing: Why stories matter in shaping kids’ hearts and minds How to shepherd...

In this episode, we’re talking about walking by faith when suffering touches every part of life and has no clear end in sight. My guest is Karrie Hahn, author of  Limping Heavenward: Living by Faith in Comprehensive and Chronic Suffering . Karrie is an editor, writer, and biblical counselor who serves as associate editor for Ligonier Ministries and  Tabletalk magazine. She brings both wisdom and c...

In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I am joined by Bible teacher and author  Elizabeth Woodson  to talk about her new book,  Habits of Resistance . We dive into how culture subtly disciples us through false gospels, why so many of us feel spiritually stuck, and how we can intentionally practice habits that form us more into the image of Christ. Elizabeth helps us think clearly about the t...

Music is a powerful part of corporate worship—but it can also be a source of tension in many churches. How can we engage in singing that truly glorifies God and strengthens the body of Christ? In this episode, I’m joined by Ryanne J. Molinari , pianist, organist, worship director, and author of Spirit-Filled Singing: Bearing Fruit as We Worship Together . Ryanne shares a biblical framework for Spi...