My Friend Writes

For more than 30 years, Kristin Gjedstad kept her extraordinary spiritual experiences mostly to herself. As a mental health professional, she wondered how others might respond to the things she had seen, heard, and experienced. In this episode of My Friend Writes , Kristin shares how those experiences eventually became her book, Benedictions Given to an Ordinary Woman . We talk about writing later...

What happens to a writer when their journey takes an unexpected turn, especially when she believes God has given her words to share? In this solo episode of My Friend Writes , I'm reflecting on faith, stewardship, lessons learned, and the decisions that come after publication. Then, join me on Substack for a walk along the beach, where I'm once again talking to God about the same book, onl...

What happens when a childhood dream finds its way back into your life years after you've tucked it away? This week on My Friend Writes , I'm visiting with Kayla Nelson, author and founder of Sower and Seeds Magazine , a Christian publication that brings together writers of all ages to encourage families in their faith. We talk about writing as a path to healing, the unexpected joy of becom...

What happens when life gives you stories you never imagined having to tell? This week on My Friend Writes , I'm catching up with my friend and fellow author Lea Turner, whose book, The Freedom to Feel: Finding God in the Midst of Grief and Trauma , grew out of unexpected loss, family challenges, and her journey through grief. We talk about writing through painful memories, the healing that can...

You wrote the book, celebrated its release, and maybe even enjoyed a little success. Then someone asked, "So, what's next?" I'm flying solo this week on My Friend Writes , exploring a question I've been asking myself lately: What if that was my only book? I'm sharing what it's like to write in the shadow of Reflections of Joy , why my next book, What Now, God? , has t...

Barbara Howlin didn’t begin writing Can It Be That Easy? A Practical Guide to Rewild Your Intuition because she had everything figured out. She began because a flash of jealousy made her ask herself an honest question: Do you want to write a book? The answer was yes. In this episode of My Friend Writes , Barbara talks about moving from burnout and self-doubt toward creativity, curiosity, and intui...

What happens when writing your story helps you finally recognize yourself? This week on My Friend Writes , I’m talking with author and creative director Shonda Ramsey about the journey from poetry to nonfiction to clean and wholesome romance, and what each book has taught her about herself. We talk about plotting fiction, building a writing life around a full-time career, creating characters reade...

A technical writer and paranormal investigator walks into a 165-year-old jail… and eventually writes a book about it. This week on My Friend Writes , I’m talking with my longtime friend Edward Quentin, author of Historical and Haunted Tales of the 1859 Jail . What began with paranormal investigations led Edward deep into the history of Independence, Missouri, uncovering stories involving Frank Jam...

Writers do a strange thing. We spend months, sometimes years, writing a book, and then we get uncomfortable telling people about it. In this solo episode of My Friend Writes , Kim reflects on receiving an award for Reflections of Joy and the reminder it gave her to stop, look around, and appreciate the work that brought her there. She talks about why writers struggle to celebrate their accomplishm...

What happens when you know God has called you to write, but you do not yet know what story He is asking you to tell? In this episode of My Friend Writes , I talk with Jennifer Longenecker, co-author of Held in the Dark , about writing alongside her daughter, Heather, and telling the story of their family’s journey through eating disorder recovery. Jennifer shares how the writing process helped her...

What happens when the story you never expected to live becomes the story you need to write? This week on My Friend Writes , I’m talking with Erin Copeland, author of Welcome to Caregiving: The Things Caregivers Never Talk About . Erin shares how her husband’s cancer diagnosis, liver transplant, and frightening complications changed the course of both of their lives, eventually leading her to sit d...

For the final special August episode of My Friend Writes , I’m sharing one more glimpse into my own writing life and what learning a new formatting program has reminded me about being a beginner. After years of becoming capable and confident in the things we do, starting something new can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. This week, I’m talking about staying teachable, giving ourselves grace to lea...

What happens when a writer misses her own deadline? This week, Kim reflects on The Gift of a Little Wiggle Room and the freedom that comes with building a creative life with space to wander. From doctor’s appointments and babysitting the grands to an unexpected Sunday drive on a Friday, sometimes stepping away from the schedule gives us the experiences, perspective, and joy that make our writing r...

How do you grow as a writer without losing your voice along the way? In this solo episode of My Friend Writes , Kim talks about honoring your reader by showing up authentically, choosing the right publishers, editors, coaches, and collaborators, and learning the difference between improving your writing and replacing your voice.

In this episode of My Friend Writes , I sit down with author Paula Romang , whose memoir Thriving in the Barren Place: How Trust in God Fueled My Journey Through Heartache and Loss tells the story of raising her son Matthew, walking through unimaginable grief, and discovering a deeper trust in God. Paula shares how a lifelong dream of becoming an author stayed hidden for years until God used both...

When grief enters our lives, it changes far more than our circumstances. It changes our identity, our relationships, and the way we see the future. Award-winning author Dr. Jerry Woodbridge knows that journey well. In this episode of My Friend Writes , Jerry shares the personal losses that shaped her life, including pregnancy loss, the sudden death of her husband, and the experiences that eventual...

Every week on My Friend Writes , I sit down with an author to talk about the book they wrote. We usually begin with the manuscript, but we almost never stay there. Somewhere along the conversation, we begin talking about courage, healing, obedience, identity, and the surprising ways writing changes the person holding the pen. In this solo episode, I'm sharing the story behind My Friend Writes...

What if the hardest parts of your story become the places where God shines brightest? In this episode of My Friend Writes , Kim Mosiman sits down with author, speaker, and podcaster Amanda Schafer to explore how writing helps us discover God's fingerprints throughout our lives. Amanda shares the remarkable story behind Holy Plot Twist , the healing that came through revisiting her own past, an...

What if your creativity isn't just a talent... but part of your calling? In this episode of My Friend Writes , Kim Mosiman welcomes author Rose Ward to share the remarkable journey behind her debut fantasy novel, Prophecy Changer . Rose opens up about writing through seasons of healing, processing childhood trauma, overcoming imposter syndrome, and learning to trust God's timing after carr...

How does writing a book change the person who writes it? In this episode of My Friend Writes , Kim Mosiman sits down with Australian relationship coach, speaker, and author Alfina Lafaro to explore the unexpected transformation that happens after you finally say yes to your story. Alfina shares the journey behind Love Deliberately: How to Be Less Shit at Relationships , revealing why writing the b...

What happens when the book you’re meant to write is born out of betrayal, heartbreak, and a healing journey you never would have chosen? In this episode of  My Friend Writes , Kim Mosiman sits down with author, retired marriage and family therapist, and speaker  Linda J. MacDonald  to talk about her newest book,  Redeeming the Post-Affair Divorce . Together, they explore the deeply personal story...

What happens when a family's ordinary life is interrupted by trauma? In this episode of My Friend Writes , Kim Mosiman sits down with author Bonnie McDonald to discuss her upcoming book, Firm Foundation: Resilience After Trauma . Together they explore the life-altering events that inspired the book, the long road from calling to completion, and the surprising ways God uses our hardest seasons...

What happens when a lifelong introvert decides to share his stories with the world? In this episode of My Friend Writes , Kim Mosiman sits down with first-time author Scott Shafer , whose book Still Learning How to Adult was released in May 2026. Together, they explore the surprising journey from retirement to publication, the courage required to be seen, and why writing can become one of the most...

In this episode of My Friend Writes , Kim sits down with author, columnist, and storyteller Janet Hart Leonard to discuss the life-changing power of writing, faith, forgiveness, and sharing your story. For more than 20 years, Janet has written a weekly newspaper column that has encouraged readers through life's joys, disappointments, detours, and unexpected blessings. Together, Kim and Janet e...

In this episode of My Friend Writes Podcast , Kim sits down with author, somatic coach, and physical therapist Kate Bartley for a powerful conversation about writing, healing, nervous system regulation, chronic stress, trauma, self-abandonment, and what it really means to become visible. Kate shares the deeply personal story behind writing her book, The Good Girl Prescription: Breaking Free from G...