The Englewood Review of Books Podcast

In this episode, C. Christopher Smith , founding editor of ERB, chats with poet Julie Moore, who is also the new producer of this podcast. Chris and Julie offer a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast and discuss Julie's hopes for her work as producer. They also discuss Julie's brand new collection of poems, Devil's Backbone, which arrives in bookstores this week. A Best of the Net...

In this episode, Chris Smith, founding editor of ERB , speaks with best-selling author Shannan Martin and first-time author Amar Peterman about the intersecting themes of faith, justice, and community in their new books. Their conversation explores the tension between life’s “heavy goodness” and its “undercurrent of grief,” demonstrating that "we can only counter what we're first willing...

Joel hosted a fun and freewheeling discussion, with a stand-out panel of readers, of our favorite books from 2025. They discuss many books that were published in 2025, but not exclusively new titles, covering a wide swath of genres from biblical studies to young adult literature to poetry. There's something in this discussion for everyone! Jessica Hooten Wilson is the Fletcher Jones Endowed C...

Chris (founding editor of the ERB) spoke with first-time podcast guest (and one of our most-frequently mentioned writers!) Kathleen Norris and returning guest Amy Julia Becker, regarding some common themes in their published writing. They speak about disability, what it means to be human, and their experiences accompanying family members with disabilities. Their conversation is humble, sincere, vu...

Lindsey Cornett, Managing Editor of Englewood Press, spoke with authors Sarah Arthur and Mitali Perkins about the value and significance of children’s literature for spiritual formation. We discuss how literature connects us to the heart of God, how Mitali and Sarah think about their own audiences as they write, and why adults should be reading children’s literature. As always, the conversation wr...

Chris sat down for an in-person conversation with 3 of the co-authors of "The Shape of Our Lives" from Englewood Press. They discuss the concept of formation, it's inevitability, and what it means for leaders of congregations to pursue intentional formation in the context of community and worship. Books Mentioned in this Episode: If you’d like to order any of the following books, we...

Joel spoke with two first-time guests to the podcast, Jonathan Tran & Malcolm Foley, about their recent books and their work to more precisely illuminate and define the "racial capitalism" in which those of us in the Western world live. It's a stimulating and wide-ranging conversation about race, economics, history, higher education, politics and more. Of course, we end with a d...

Lindsey Cornett, Managing Editor of Englewood Press, spoke with two writers of notable nonfiction, Esau McCaulley and Katie Blackburn, not about their "books for grownups," but about their recent publications for children. They discuss their unexpected journeys into children's literature, why it's important to write books for children, and their upcoming projects. Books Mention...

Chris sat down with two first-time guests, Mandy Smith and Dennis Edwards, at the recent Missio Alliance Awakenings event. Chris brought them together because their recent work shares a thematic connection of exploring "humility," which is the foundation of their conversation. They talk about their experiences as ministry leaders, biblical and theological dimensions of humility, and how...

Joel spoke with repeat guest Nijay Gupta and first-time guest Melissa Barciela Mandala about Paul's notion of "love." They discuss the impulse to find a "theological center" to Paul's New Testament writings, the success of Nijay's attempt to locate the love of God as this "center," and of course, what we are all currently reading and enjoying. Nijay K....

Chris spoke with two first-time podcast guests, Carey Wallace and Charlie Peacock, about their careers and varied experiences of pursuing creative work. They consider the role of community in creativity, what it means to be "inspired," and how they recount these observations in their recent books. They reflect on the connections between the act of surrender, spiritual disciplines, and he...

Joel hosted a freewheeling conversation with Chris Smith (Founding Editor of ERB), Lindsey Cornett (Managing Editor of Englewood Press) and Jen Pollock Michel (author, writer, former ERB podcast host) all about our favorite books from 2024. We discuss our personal perspectives on how to choose 'favorite' books, and we talk about a wide range of titles, including fiction, poetry and non-f...

Chris had a wide-ranging conversation with first-time guest, Lore Ferguson Wilbert, and repeat guest, Ragan Sutterfield, in which they touched on various topics including: processing the recent U.S. election, grief and lament, pace and time, rootedness and place, story, and of course, what they have been recently reading. Books Mentioned in this Episode: If you’d like to order any of the following...

Joel hosted a conversation with two ERB reviewers, who each recently reviewed new books about the intersection of creativity and faith. They discuss the craft of poetry, their personal experiences with creative slumps, how certain books and poems do (or do not!) aid the creative process, and what this all means about humans, belief, and existing in God's creation. It was a fun, honest, and op...

Our new managing editor, Lindsey Cornett sat down with the writer and illustrator of the brand-new "Book of Belonging" collection of Bible stories for children. They discuss the problems and difficulties with many "traditional" children's bibles, how the two of them met and decided to collaborate on this project, what sets this project apart from other approaches, and how...

Chris spoke with two first-time guests, Sarah Bessey and Sarah McCammon about the Exvangelical movement and so-called 'deconstruction' in American Christianity. They speak about their own experiences in conservative, evangelical Christianity, how they approached deconstruction, what they are observing about deconstruction in our cultural moment, and of course, what they are currently rea...

Joel hosted a conversation with two first-time podcast guests all about 'CCM' or 'Contemporary Christian Music.' They explore various cultural aspects of 'CCM,' as well as the reality of profit-driven corporate influence. Larry Norman figures prominently in their discussion, and Joel reflects a bit on his experience as a 90s kid immersed in this industry. Leah Payne i...

The audio for this episode was recorded during a live event in collaboration with The Table and Gravity Commons, in which Matt Tebbe interviewed Jon DePue (co-author of 'Beyond Justification' with Douglas Campbell). The conversation focuses on the themes of this book, common interpretations of Paul's theology and ways to re-approach Paul with new lenses. Books Mentioned in this Epis...

Chris sat down at the recent CCDA conference with two first-time podcast guests, Stephanie Vander Lugt and Kimberlee Medicine Horn Jackson, each of whom hosted CCDA workshops. They discuss their work as it relates to the religious practices of indigenous people, the importance of attentiveness, and of course, what they are currently reading. **This episode is sponsored by InterVarsity Press, publi...

Chris hosted a lively and interactive conversation between first-time guest David Fitch and returning guest Myles Werntz concerning the thesis of David's brand-new book from Brazos Press, the use of power in ministry and the institution of the church, whether power and conflict can be leveraged healthily in community, and of course what they are currently reading. Books Mentioned in this Epis...

Jen sat down (live!) with two first-time podcast guests at the recent CCDA conference: E.K. Strawser and Lisa Rodriguez-Watson. They have an impassioned discussion about the importance of contextualizing discipleship work in the setting of the local congregation, as well as the importance of Western Christians listening to the global church. Books Mentioned in this Episode: If you’d like to order...

Chris sat down with 3 co-authors and first-time podcast guests at the recent CCDA conference to discuss their work in the intersection of the topics of disability, inclusion, ministry leadership and the life of the church. Books Mentioned in this Episode: Disabling Leadership: A Practical Theology for the Broken Body of Christ by Andrew Draper, Jody Michele & Andrea Mae A Disability History of...

The podcast crew (Jen, Chris & Joel) is joined once again by Ashley Hales for our favorite topic: the books we enjoyed the most this year! ERB Contributors from 2023 also offer their suggestions throughout, so we cover a wide, wide range of titles. Enjoy this veritable feast of reading suggestions to keep you occupied until next year! Books Mentioned in this Episode: If you’d like to order any...

Jen welcomes co-authors Matt Mikalatos (returning ERB podcast guest) and Kathy Khang (first-time podcast guest) for an honest and heartfelt discussion about the topic of their recent book: disagreement and Christian unity. Books Mentioned in this Episode: If you’d like to order any of the following books, we encourage you to do so from Hearts and Minds Books (An independent bookstore in Dallastown...

Chris sat down with two first-time ERB Podcast guests, Soong-Chan Rah and Mark Charles, at the recent CCDA conference to discuss their work related to colonialism, race, history and the church. Books Mentioned in this Episode: If you’d like to order any of the following books, we encourage you to do so from Hearts and Minds Books (An independent bookstore in Dallastown, PA, run by Byron and Beth B...