Stories are a way of inviting others in, opening the door to compassion, empathy, and understanding. Stories help us make sense of the world around us, allowing us to process overwhelming emotions. As humans, we are drawn to stories that show characters overcoming obstacles, growing wiser and stronger through the journey. 

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Julie Cantrell recognizes the power of narrative to guide us spiritually and ground us emotionally. When she was pregnant with her first child, she began writing from a place of love, gratitude, and celebration. As she began wrestling with her own pain and loss, she started to use writing as an outlet to communicate a new narrative of resilience. Crafted from her research into the Choctaw tribe, her book “Into the Free” tells the story of a girl coming of age in Depression-era Mississippi.

She joins Eddie and Chris to talk through how she discovered her gift for writing and developed a discipline for integrating writing into her life. They discuss the ways that stories help connect us, citing Jesus’s passion for sharing stories as a way of shaping people’s hearts. They talk about the power of stories throughout the Bible and how they create space for connection in our everyday lives. 

RESOURCES:

You can order Julie’s newest book “Crescendo: The True Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town” and any of Julie’s other books at her independent bookstore: https://shop.aer.io/juliecantrell 

Watch Julie’s Tedx Talk here: https://youtu.be/Oi4sqDJ8Wno 

Follow Julie on the web: https://www.juliecantrell.com 

Follow Julie on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/juliecantrell/ 

https://www.facebook.com/juliecantrellauthor