The Writers Bloc Podcast

Have a big writing goal but struggle to make consistent progress? Whether you're dreaming of writing a book, finishing a manuscript, or building a sustainable writing habit, reaching your goals doesn't have to mean sacrificing everything else in your life. In this episode of The Writers' Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray sits down with Gabe Cox, goal-setting and business strategist, author, and host of Pursu...

What if your writing matters even if it never reaches a large audience? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast , Cara Ray welcomes bestselling author, pastor, and professor Jared C. Wilson for an encouraging conversation about the writing life, based on his book The Storied Life: Christian Writing as Art and Worship . With more than thirty books to his name, Jared has plenty of experience wi...

Is it ever too late to start writing? And what happens when self-doubt makes you question whether your story is worth telling? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast , Cara Ray welcomes author and Writers’ Bloc member Cheryl Balcom to talk about her journey from lifelong reader and journal keeper to self-published author after 50. Cheryl began by writing her memoir, Winds of Grace , before t...

What does it look like to write with both truth and beauty? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast , Cara Ray talks with author and poet Laura Wifler about her writing journey—from the early days of blogging and co-founding Risen Motherhood to writing children’s books, poetry, and resources for writers. Laura shares what Risen Motherhood taught her about prioritizing truth over beautiful lan...

Could hosting a virtual summit help you grow your community, expand your reach, and connect with other Christians? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara talks with writer, speaker, and ministry leader Tara Borgonah about what it really takes to plan and host a successful virtual summit. After hosting the Call to Create Summit, Tara learned firsthand what works, what takes longer than...

What does it look like to keep writing faithfully when your body, attention, energy, and capacity are changing? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast , Cara talks with author Aimee Joseph about writing through perimenopause with what Aimee calls “consistency with compassion.” They talk about the very real ways midlife can affect memory, focus, sleep, creativity, and productivity—and why tho...

Marketing your writing can sometimes feel like tossing good work into the social media void and hoping someone sees it before it disappears. But Pinterest works differently. In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara talks with Pinterest marketing strategist and educator Heather Farris about how writers can use Pinterest as a search engine to help readers discover their work—and keep disco...

What do we do with grief when the words won’t come—or when they won’t stop coming? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast , I’m joined by writer, journaling guide, and founder of The Pen and Mend Collective, Kristin Vanderlip , for a thoughtful conversation about grief, lament, journaling, and the healing power of putting words on the page. After experiencing the devastating loss of her firs...

How does an author write 4–5 books a year, work across multiple genres, collaborate with bestselling authors, and still have creative energy left? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, I’m talking with USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Tricia Goyer about the habits, systems, and mindset behind her remarkably prolific writing life. Tricia shares how she has learned to follow wh...

In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray talks with author and The Love Offering Podcast host Rachael Adams about one of the most important tools writers can use to grow their audience: lead magnets. But a great lead magnet isn't simply a way to collect email addresses. It's an opportunity to serve your readers, solve a real problem, begin a relationship, and invite people into your...

What if the reason writing feels so hard has less to do with discipline and more to do with the way God designed your brain? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara sits down with Ashriel Huber — founder of Called and Curious, host of the Called and Curious podcast, and creator of Love Moves, a six-minute inside-out makeover that helps women reconnect with peace, beauty, and truth throu...

In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, I sit down with author and Bible teacher Glenna Marshall to talk about her newest book, Praying in Pain , and the sixteen-year journey with chronic illness that shaped it. Glenna shares what it was like to go from running and full health to years of undiagnosed, agonizing nighttime pain — and how those long nights taught her to keep praying when healin...

Your manuscript could be flawless, and readers still might not give it a chance—because the cover never invited them in. This week on The Writer’s Bloc Podcast, I’m joined by graphic designer Kaycee Parker of KP Communications, who’s spent over a decade helping authors and churches communicate with clarity through design. Kaycee brings a rare dual perspective to this conversation: she’s a working...

What does it look like to offer your words as an act of worship — not just to an audience, but to the church? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc podcast, Cara sits down with her own worship leader and songwriter, Josh Sellers — Director of Worship at Christ Church in Mesa, Arizona — for a conversation that moves from Canadian Idol to a leper colony in India, from co-writing in Nashville to the f...

I’ve been sitting with this conversation since we recorded it — and I keep coming back to the moment Thomas compared a well-written AI prompt to the book of First Timothy. Paul opens with identity ( I, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ ), then establishes the recipient and their role, then gives detailed instructions. Thomas’s point was quiet but clarifying: the better you can articulate who you ar...

What If the Key to Growing Your Platform Is Linking Arms Instead of Striving Harder? Becky Beresford never planned to be a writer. A special needs mama navigating postpartum depression, she found herself with a passion for discipling women and no way to get out of the house to do it. So she picked up her pen — and everything changed. In this conversation, Cara sits down with Becky Beresford — writ...

What if building your writer platform didn’t have to feel fake, forced, or exhausting? In this conversation with Kimberley Grabas, we talk about: • Why most writers approach platform-building backward • The difference between platform, branding, marketing, and tactics • How to identify your ideal reader • Why “niching down” can feel impossible for creative people • How to market your work without...

If you want to become a better writer… Read more. Not just to produce something. Not just to “get content.” But because over time, it builds something inside you. A kind of file cabinet in your mind— filled with ideas, illustrations, and insights you didn’t even know you’d need. And when it’s time to write… you’re not starting from empty. You’re drawing from a life that’s been paying attention. 🎙️...

What does it really take to write, edit, and launch your first book while juggling real life, family, and faith? In this special episode of The Writers’ Bloc, the tables are turned as Cara Ray is interviewed by writer and educator Keri Willis about her debut book, The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places. Together, they pull back the curtain on the real journey of writing a boo...

What if fruitfulness in your creative life isn’t about producing more but about cultivating a deeper life with God? In this conversation, Cara Ray welcomes prophetic artist, writer, and speaker Bette Dickinson to explore the surprising parallels between vineyards, creativity, and the spiritual life. Drawing from the rich imagery of John 15, Bette shares how learning from a real-life vine dresser r...

Is Cozy Fantasy the Genre We’ve Been Missing? A Conversation with Deborah Pettit What exactly is cozy fantasy, and why is it suddenly everywhere? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara sits down with children’s fantasy author Deborah Pettit (author of The Heroes of Tuduma Forest series) to explore the rise of cozy fantasy, what sets it apart from epic fantasy, and why this genre may be...

If you’re a writer who’d rather hide behind your laptop than step on a stage… this interview is for you. 🙌 Join me for this fun and informative conversation with Robyn Dykstra—a national Christian speaker and bestselling author. We talk about one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) ways writers can grow their platform: ✨ Turning your book message into a signature talk. In this interview,...

Why do ministry creatives — writers, teachers, and leaders — need intentional retreat time? In this conversation, Cara welcomes Bible teacher, pastor, author, and podcaster Angie Baughman back to The Writers’ Bloc to talk about the spiritual and practical value of creative retreats. Together they explore how getting away — even briefly — can bring clarity, peace, deeper listening to God, and more...

Ghostwriting can sound mysterious—but Kent Sanders pulls back the curtain and shows how practical (and relational) it really is. In this conversation, Kent shares how he went from teaching ministry and theology at a small Christian college to building a full-time writing business, why ghostwriting is often misunderstood, and what it takes to become the kind of steady, professional presence high-le...

Is your idea strong enough to become a book? If you've ever wrestled with that question, you're in good company. In today’s episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, I sit down with writing coach and author Ann Kroeker to talk about how to know whether your idea has the depth, clarity, and longevity needed for a full manuscript. Together, we explore: ✨ How to test and validate your book idea long bef...