Bookish Talks with Lia

On today’s episode I’m chatting with  Carolyn Lacey , a writer, speaker, and pastor’s wife based in the UK. We dive into her newest book,  Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe of God , a devotional designed to help us lift our eyes off ourselves and focus on God’s glory, power, kindness, and wisdom. Carolyn shares the heart behind the book, the Scriptures that shaped her writing, and why cultivating...

Do you ever feel like your Bible study has to look a certain way—or that you’re falling short if it doesn’t? In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m talking with Christine Gordon and Hope Blanton, co-founders of  At His Feet Studies , about how women can approach Scripture  without burden, performance, or guilt . Christine and Hope share their journey of starting At His Feet Studies, how...

Has your attention felt scattered lately? In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by author and ministry leader  Aimee Joseph  to discuss her new book,  Look, Listen, Live: Cultivating Attention in a Distracted Culture . Aimee explores how we can move from distracted living to deeper devotion by practicing presence, noticing beauty, and even allowing pain to shape our attention in...

Have you ever felt like your sense of awe has faded? In this conversation, Lia sits down with  Alicia Hamilton , author of  Wonder: Rediscovering Our Awe of God and Reclaiming a Childlike Faith , her new devotional with  Hosanna Revival . Together, they talk about what it means to rediscover the majesty of God, how to cultivate wonder in everyday life, and how Scripture—especially the Psalms—helps...

In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I sit down with Whitney K. Pipkin, wife, mom of three, and author of  We Shall All Be Changed: How Facing Death with Loved Ones Transforms Us . Whitney wrote this deeply personal and honest book after walking with her mom through the final season of a long cancer journey. Named the 2024 TGC Book Award winner in the First-Time Author category, her story...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by author and speaker Marissa Henley to talk about what it looks like to truly thrive after cancer and how we can love others well through that journey. Marissa was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer in her 30s, and she shares how God met her in that season and how it transformed her view of faith, suffering, and community. We also discuss what inspired her to...

Today, I am joined by  Alyson Punzi , author of the new picture book  He Always Hears , published by Crossway. Her book helps children understand grief and sadness through biblical lament, teaching them that God hears their prayers and meets them in their emotions. In this episode, we talk about what biblical lament really means, why it matters for children, and practical ways caregivers can have...

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , we sit down with Darby Strickland, author of When It's Trauma: A Biblical Guide to Understanding Trauma and Walking Faithfully with Sufferers . Darby shares her expertise on trauma from a Christian perspective and offers practical insights on how we can support those who have experienced trauma. Whether you’re a counselor, a friend, or someone who si...

Today I’m joined by  author Hunter Beless , wife and mother of four, who is passionate about helping women and children know and love God—especially through His Word. You probably know her best as the founder and host of the  Journeywomen Podcast , and she actively serves in her local church. In today’s episode, we talk about her newest children’s book,  Jesus Loves You More , and explore practica...

In this episode, Julie shares her story of childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and grief—and how learning to lament became the pathway from sorrow to hope. Through Scripture and her personal journey, she reminds us that it’s okay to bring our pain before God and that healing often begins when we do. We talk about: How childhood experiences shape the way we relate to God and others What emotional...

Today I’m chatting with  Laura Wifler , a wife, mother, and founder of  The KidLit Lab , where she helps authors create true, beautiful, and helpful picture books that children will return to again and again. Many of you know her from her previous ministry,  Risen Motherhood , and today we’re talking about her newest picture book,  Your Worth Never Wavers: Discover True Beauty as a Girl Made by Go...

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting—but it doesn’t have to keep us from experiencing God’s peace. In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Blair Linne—Bible teacher, author, spoken word artist, and co-leader of the Family Worship Micro Conference with her husband, Shai. Blair’s new book,  Made to Tremble: How Anxiety Became the Best Thing That Ever Happened t...

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I sit down with Courtney Reissig , author of Someone to Believe In: Embracing the Savior Who Stays the Same When Everything Else Changes . Courtney shares her journey of faith through seasons of doubt, burnout, and disappointment—and how she learned to trust the unchanging nature of Jesus even when everything else in life feels uncertain. We dive into: T...

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Oghosa Iyamu, author of her first Bible study, Forever Welcomed: A Study on God’s Impartial Love for All . We dive into the heart of God’s impartial love, how it’s displayed in Scripture in passages like James 2, and what it means for us and how we live. Oghosa shares what inspired her to write this study, how the Bible guided her message,...

When life feels overwhelming, where do you turn for help? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Rebekah Hannah , a biblical counselor and the founder of Anchored Virtual , to talk about what biblical counseling really is, why it matters, and how God’s Word offers anchored hope for the struggles we all face. Rebekah shares her own story of following Jesus and how the Lord led he...

What do we do when hope feels out of reach? How do we cling to God in the long nights of suffering and waiting? In this conversation, I’m joined by author and speaker V aneetha Risner, who has walked through profound suffering—chronic illness, loss, and divorce—and yet continues to point us to Christ as the source of lasting hope. We talk about her newest book, Watching for the Morning: 90 Devotio...

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by author Brittany Lee Allen to discuss her deeply personal and hopeful book, Lost Gifts: Miscarriage, Grief, and the God of All Comfort . Brittany shares her story of losing three babies to miscarriage, the pain and confusion she faced, and how she found God’s comfort in the midst of her grief. We explore what it means to grieve openly in a c...

I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Glenna Marshall to talk about her newest book, Known & Loved: Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139 . You’ve probably heard the verse “fearfully and wonderfully made,” but Glenna invites us to go deeper. In this rich and honest conversation, we talk about what it means to be fully known and deeply loved by God. Glenna shares how Psalm 139 has sha...

What if your weakness wasn’t something to hide, but the very place God wants to show His strength? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Bible teacher and author Christine Hoover to talk about her new Bible study, More Than Enough: God’s Strength in Our Weakness in 2 Corinthians . Christine shares how 2 Corinthians speaks directly to our struggles with inadequacy, and how God's...

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by S. D. Smith, author of The Green Ember Series—an adventure saga that’s captivated over a million readers. We talk about the heart behind his storytelling, the enduring impact of rabbits with swords, and his exciting new project: Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb —a novel releasing alongside its very own video game! Sam shares what make...

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Kyle Worley—pastor, author, and co-host of the Knowing Faith Podcast . Kyle and I talk about what it really means to be at home with God through union with Christ, and how we’re all being spiritually formed every day—often without realizing it. We dive into his books, Home with God and Formed for Fellowship , and explore how beholding God c...

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , we’re discussing how to disciple your children without the pressure. If the idea of discipling your kids feels overwhelming or if you’ve ever wondered if you’re qualified, you’re not alone. Chris Ammen, a children’s pastor and father of four, has been there. Chris shares insights from his debut book, Raising Disciples at Home: Nurturing Your Kids into Fa...

In this episode, I'm sharing a more personal conversation in light of graduation season. Whether you're heading to college, graduating, a parent cheering someone on, or just curious about my story, this episode is for you. I’m taking you back to my early days as a new believer in college — the struggles, the joys, and the simple habits that kept me grounded in my faith through college and...

What’s better than visiting one bookstore? Visiting five—in a single day! In this episode of  Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by  Meagan Robertson , host of the  Faith and Fables  podcast, to chat all about her epic  12-hour road trip  from  North Carolina to Tennessee  for McKay’s 50th anniversary celebration. Meagan, along with her friends (and her baby!), hit the road to explore multiple Mc...

Have you ever dreamed of turning your love for books into a real-life bookstore? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia , I’m joined by Deidre Lail—bookstagrammer, book lover, and now bookshop owner of My Chapter House in downtown Hickory, NC. Deidre shares her journey of bringing a bookstore to life—from the first sparks of the dream to the decision to buy a shop and make it her own. We chat a...