The Englewood Review of Books Podcast

The ERB Podcast is back after a summer break! Jen is joined by two first-time guests for an honest discussion about processing grief, loss and heartache, and how that intersects with the writing and reading life. Clarissa Moll is an author, podcaster, and the young widow of author Rob Moll. Her husband’s first book, The Art of Dying, was released in April 2021 with Clarissa’s new afterword. Claris...

Joel takes over the podcast for another wide-ranging "reviewer round-up" with two excellent first-time guests. They talk a lot about books that intersect with the conversation about race in America, and of course, list off the titles they are currently reading. Joshua E. Livingston is a writer and community developer currently residing in Indianapolis. He is the director of Cultivating C...

This episode is all about celebrating and reading great literary works. Jen is joined by first-time guest Jessica Hooten Wilson, as well as repeat guest Karen Swallow Prior, who are both outstanding guides through the world of classic literature. They discuss the value of great literature, the historical difference between Catholic and Protestant novelists, and of course what they are currently re...

Joel hops into the host seat for a fun and freewheeling conversation with a few ERB reviewers about recent publications they've written about, what they are looking forward to in publishing, and of course, what we are all currently reading. Justin Cober-Lake is a pastor in central Virginia. He holds an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Virginia and has worked in academic publish...

Chris takes over the podcast today for a thoughtful and incisive discussion on the insidious nature of hierarchy and how it impacts so much of human society and structures. He is joined by two first-time guests, Beth Allison Barr and Jonathan Brooks, who bring a wealth of personal experience and academic rigor to the conversation. Books/Writing Mentioned in this Episode: If you’d like to order any...

Jen is joined by two first-time guests, Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel, to discuss the new re-release of their 2017 book The Way of the Dragon or The Way of the Lamb, while also touching on the more general concept of healthy or toxic uses of power in the church in our culture today. Jamin Goggin serves as a pastor at Mission Hills Church. He has been in pastoral ministry for seventeen years. Jamin...

Jen hosts a freewheeling conversation with Chris and Joel about their collective reading habits in 2021, how they identify books for "lists" like this, and of course, which titles rose to the top as their favorite reading experiences in 2021. A host of various ERB contributors also chime in with their favorites of the year. Books and Writing Mentioned: If you’d like to order any of the f...

Chris sits in the host chair again for a conversation all about Willie Jenning's commentary on Acts. He is joined by two first-time guests who are pastors that have found Jenning's commentary particularly helpful in their local church work. They discuss what it is about Jenning's approach that is so innovative and helpful, and especially why this is a timely commentary for a post-co...

Chris sits in the host chair to speak with two outstanding first-time podcast guests: Andy Root and John Swinton. They have a sharp and philosophically-informed discussion on our experience of time, modernity, and the social concepts of "acceleration" and "resonance." John Swinton is professor of theology at the University of Aberdeen, and author of numerous books. Some listene...

Joel takes the host seat again for a "round-up" conversation with Chris Smith and John Wilson for a freewheeling conversation about recent ERB content, intriguing upcoming book releases, and of course lots of discussion about what we are current reading! Books & Content Mentioned: If you’d like to order any of the following books, we encourage you to do so from Hearts and Minds Books...

Joel takes over the podcast for an episode focused on writing book reviews! He is joined by repeat podcast guest John Wilson and first-time guest Tamara Hill Murphy for a discussion of the form of the book review, the tensions involved in writing reviews, and of course what they are currently reading. John Wilson was the founding editor of Books & Culture (1995–2016). He is Contributing Editor...

Jen is joined by two great first-time guests to discuss the current evangelical reckoning with destructive spiritual leadership, narcissism, humility, and of course lots of books on the subject! Hannah Anderson lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she spends her days  writing and reading and caring for her family.  She is the author of multiple books, including All That’s Good: Reco...

The ERB Podcast is back after our summer reprieve! Jen is joined by returning guest Ashley Hales, and first-time guest Nathan Oates, to discuss the ways their writing interacts with the themes of stability, limits, and the work of ministry in our current cultural climate. Ashley Hales is the author of two books. Her first book, Finding Holy in the Suburbs, released in 2018. Her second book, A Spac...

Jen is joined by 3 great first-time guests for a lively and wide-ranging conversation. In this episode (part 2), they continue their conversation about ongoing projects, as well as talk about their reactions to Diana's newest work, "Freeing Jesus." Diana Butler Bass is an award-winning author, popular speaker, and inspiring preacher. She holds a doctorate in religious studies from D...

**This is the corrected version of episode 29. There was a technical glitch with the episode that was originally uploaded on 6/21 which left most of the episode blank. Please listen to this episode instead. We apologize for the confusion!** Jen is joined by 3 great first-time guests for a lively and wide-ranging conversation. In this episode (part 1), they talk about reading during the Covid-year...

Jen is joined by 3 great first-time guests for a lively and wide-ranging conversation. In this episode (part 1), they talk about reading during the Covid-year and what they are currently reading, researching, and working on. Diana Butler Bass is an award-winning author, popular speaker, and inspiring preacher. She holds a doctorate in religious studies from Duke University. Her most recent book is...

Jen is joined by Liuan Huska and Amy Julia Becker for a thoughtful and honest conversation about the integration of spirituality, health and wholeness, particularly when experiencing chronic pain, brokenness and different abilities in our bodies. Liuan Huska is a freelance writer and speaker focusing on topics of embodiment, ecology, and spirituality. Her first book, Hurting Yet Whole: Reconciling...

Joel takes over the podcast for a chance to touch-base with a few contributing reviewers for Englewood. This time they talk about authors and recent books that are somewhat thematically connected to the "Inklings." Erin Feldman is a content writer for The Austin Stone Institute, at The Austin Stone Community Church. Her recent projects include liturgies in Words for Winter and An Introdu...

Jen is joined by Lisa Deam and Christiana Peterson for a rich conversation about diving into the deep wells of reading ancient, Christian mystics. Lisa Deam uses art of the Christian past to illuminate modern faith. Her other books include A World Transformed: Exploring the Spirituality of Medieval Maps and 7 Ways the Ancient Church Saved My Faith. A former professor, Lisa has a PhD in medieval ar...

Jen is joined by A.J Swoboda and Nijay Gupta (who have recently launched their very own podcast called "In Faith and Doubt," which we highly recommend to ERB listeners!) to discuss the role of reading, especially slow reading, in the journey through doubt and deconstruction. Books Mentioned in this episode: If you’d like to order any of the following books, we encourage you to do so from...

Joel takes over the hosting role for a freewheeling conversation with the ERB editors (Chris Smith, John Wilson and Erin Wasinger). We discuss content from the website, upcoming books we are looking forward to, and as always, what we are reading right now. Enjoy! Books and Writings mentioned in this episode: If you’d like to order any of the following books, we encourage you to do so from Hearts a...

John Pattison is co-author of Slow Church: Cultivating Community as well as Besides the Bible . He is also the content manager for Strong Towns and co-host for The Membership podcast, a podcast about the life and work of Wendell Berry. John writes and speaks frequently on topics related to the neighborhood, the church, and the creative life. He lives with his family in rural Oregon. Christie Purif...

Joel takes over as podcast host for our first "reviewer round-up" episode. He is joined by two regular ERB contributors to discuss their recent book reviews, as well as what they're currently enjoying and reading. Ope Bukola is a founder of Behold , an app that helps Christians practice stillness and pray the scriptures every day. You can learn more and get the app on iPhone or Andr...

Jen is joined by two great guests to continue discussing the theme of our previous episode: reading and mental wellness. This time, her conversation partners look at this important topic through the lens of church history. Diana Gruver writes about spiritual formation and discipleship in the everyday. She is the author of Companions in the Darkness: Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and D...

Jen kicks off 2021 with a thoughtful and timely discussion of the reading life, and the connections between one's sense of place and mental wellness. The poet Tania Runyan joins Jen and Chris for this conversation. Tania Runyan is the author of many poetry collections: What Will Soon Take Place, Second Sky, A Thousand Vessels, Simple Weight and Delicious Air , which was awarded Book of the Ye...