In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by Dr. Natalie Brand to discuss her new book, From Crimson to White: Finding Gospel Joy at Calvary. You might remember Dr. Brand from Episode 5: Ladies Love Theology, and it was such a joy to welcome her back to the podcast.

Many Christians struggle with guilt, shame, and the constant pressure to perform. Add the busyness of everyday life, and it’s easy to lose sight of the joy that is ours in Christ. In Crimson to White, Dr. Brand takes us back to the heart of the gospel, showing how the truth of the cross frees us from striving and reminds us that we are fully loved and clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

In our conversation, we talk about how performance-based thinking steals our joy, why so many believers feel spiritually weary, and how returning to the cross helps us rediscover the deep, lasting joy found in Christ.

If you’ve been feeling weighed down by guilt, shame, or the pace of life, this episode is a beautiful reminder of the freedom and joy we have because of what Jesus accomplished at Calvary.

In This Episode

• Why so many Christians struggle with guilt, shame, and spiritual exhaustion
• How performance-based faith steals our joy
• What it means to be clothed in Christ’s righteousness
• How the truth of the cross restores real gospel joy
  

Book Mentioned

Crimson to White: Finding Gospel Joy at Calvary by Dr. Natalie Brand

Have you ever opened your Bible and wondered, Where do I even start? Or maybe you’ve felt unsure if you’re “doing it right.” In this episode, I’m talking with Kelly Needham, author, Bible teacher about her new study, See for Yourself: How to Study Your Bible with Confidence and Joy.

We cover practical tools for studying Scripture, what to do when a passage feels confusing or hard to apply, how to make time in the Word even when life feels full, and how to move from simply gathering information to experiencing real transformation. Whether you’re a longtime Bible reader or someone who struggles to even open it, this episode is a warm invitation to see the Bible as God’s living Word and to study it with confidence and joy.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Kelly Needham’s new study: See for Yourself: How to Study Your Bible with Confidence and Joy

  
  

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m talking with the team behind Redeemed Reader, a ministry helping Christian parents and educators confidently choose books for children and teens.

We dive into their book, The Redeemed Reader: Cultivating a Child’s Discernment and Imagination Through Truth and Story, discussing:

• Why stories matter in shaping kids’ hearts and minds

• How to shepherd your children’s imaginations

• Tips for choosing books with both literary excellence and a biblical worldview

• Why Redeemed Reader engages with both Christian and secular books

Redeemed Reader’s mission is simple: “We’re reading ahead for you so that you can confidently choose books for your children and teens.” Their reviews, book lists, news, and resources equip parents and educators to raise thoughtful, discerning readers.

Whether you’re a homeschool parent, a teacher, or just a book-loving mom, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical guidance for raising readers who engage both heart and mind.

Connect with Redeemed Reader: https://redeemedreader.com

Get their book: The Redeemed Reader: Cultivating a Child’s Discernment and Imagination Through Truth and Story

In this episode, we’re talking about walking by faith when suffering touches every part of life and has no clear end in sight. My guest is Karrie Hahn, author of Limping Heavenward: Living by Faith in Comprehensive and Chronic Suffering. Karrie is an editor, writer, and biblical counselor who serves as associate editor for Ligonier Ministries and Tabletalkmagazine. She brings both wisdom and compassion to this conversation.

Together, we discuss what it means to hold grief and faith together during seasons of comprehensive and chronic suffering, how believers can persevere even when life feels overwhelming, and ways the church and loved ones can walk alongside those experiencing long-term hardship. Karrie also shares practical guidance for trusting God and keeping faith alive when there seems to be no end in sight.

Whether you’re personally facing chronic illness or long-term struggles, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is full of encouragement, insight, and biblical hope.

Resources and Links:

• Grab Karrie’s book: Limping Heavenward: Living by Faith in Comprehensive and Chronic Suffering 

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I am joined by Bible teacher and author Elizabeth Woodson to talk about her new book, Habits of Resistance. We dive into how culture subtly disciples us through false gospels, why so many of us feel spiritually stuck, and how we can intentionally practice habits that form us more into the image of Christ.

Elizabeth helps us think clearly about the tension between the story culture tells and the story God tells, how to recognize when we are being spiritually malformed, and what it looks like to step into God’s true story in everyday life. This conversation is rich, practical, and full of hope for anyone longing for greater wholeness in Christ.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How Elizabeth came to know the Lord and into ministry

• What inspired her to write Habits of Resistance

• The seven cultural “false gospels” shaping us today

• How to recognize when culture is forming us more than Christ

• What it looks like to engage culture without being consumed by it

• The role of community and accountability in spiritual formation

• Which chapter and which habit most impacted Elizabeth personally

  
  

  Order the book: Habits of Resistance: 7 Ways You're Being Formed By Culture and Gospel Practices to Help You Push Back by Elizabeth Woodson

Music is a powerful part of corporate worship—but it can also be a source of tension in many churches. How can we engage in singing that truly glorifies God and strengthens the body of Christ?

In this episode, I’m joined by Ryanne J. Molinari, pianist, organist, worship director, and author of Spirit-Filled Singing: Bearing Fruit as We Worship Together. Ryanne shares a biblical framework for Spirit-filled worship, exploring how the fruit of the Spirit can shape the way we sing and worship together. We talk about cultivating intentional worship, encouraging congregations and worship teams, and growing in Christlikeness through song.

Ryanne also shares her favorite worship artists, books that have shaped her faith and ministry, and insight for anyone seeking to deepen their worship life. Whether you lead worship, sing in the congregation, or simply want to grow in Spirit-filled singing, this episode is full of encouragement and practical takeaways.

Topics We Cover:

• What Spirit-filled singing looks like in practice
• How the fruit of the Spirit applies to corporate worship
• Encouragement for worship teams and congregants
• Ryanne’s favorite Christian books and worship music
• Growing in Christlikeness through worship
  

Resources & Links:

• Buy the book: Spirit-Filled Singing: Bearing Fruit as We Worship Together by Ryanne Molinari
• Ryanne’s website: https://ryannemolinari.com/writing/
• Spotify Playlist
• Follow Ryanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanne_molinari/

On today’s episode I’m chatting with Carolyn Lacey, a writer, speaker, and pastor’s wife based in the UK. We dive into her newest book, Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe of God, a devotional designed to help us lift our eyes off ourselves and focus on God’s glory, power, kindness, and wisdom.

Carolyn shares the heart behind the book, the Scriptures that shaped her writing, and why cultivating awe of God brings freedom from fear, comparison, and spiritual weariness. We also talk about practical ways to experience awe in everyday life and how we can encourage one another to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why growing in awe of God matters for your daily life

• How awe brings freedom from fear, comparison, and spiritual “meh” seasons

• Practical ways to cultivate awe in work, parenting, and ordinary moments

• The Scriptures that inspired Carolyn as she wrote Amazed

• How we can help each other grow in awe of God

Resources & Links:

• Follow Carolyn Lacey on Instagram

• Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe of God – Link to purchase

Do you ever feel like your Bible study has to look a certain way—or that you’re falling short if it doesn’t? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m talking with Christine Gordon and Hope Blanton, co-founders of At His Feet Studies, about how women can approach Scripture without burden, performance, or guilt.

Christine and Hope share their journey of starting At His Feet Studies, how their Bible studies are designed to be practical, approachable, and life-giving, and tips for women in every season of life to engage with God’s Word in a meaningful way.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How to study the whole Bible—even the hard or overlooked parts—without feeling overwhelmed.

• Tips for women returning to the Word after a dry season.

• Their favorite Bible study tools, personal habits, and encouragement for daily Scripture engagement.

  
  

  Grab their studies: www.athisfeetstudies.com

Has your attention felt scattered lately? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by author and ministry leader Aimee Joseph to discuss her new book, Look, Listen, Live: Cultivating Attention in a Distracted Culture.

Aimee explores how we can move from distracted living to deeper devotion by practicing presence, noticing beauty, and even allowing pain to shape our attention in life-giving ways. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, and personal experience, she offers practical and spiritual guidance for cultivating holy attention in a world full of distractions.

We also dive into Aimee’s journey of faith, her experiences in ministry and motherhood, and how her own life has shaped her approach to attention, worship, and spiritual growth. Whether you’re seeking to be more present with God, your family, or your community, this conversation is full of encouragement and challenge for living with focused, meaningful attention.

Grab the book here

Have you ever felt like your sense of awe has faded? In this conversation, Lia sits down with Alicia Hamilton, author of Wonder: Rediscovering Our Awe of God and Reclaiming a Childlike Faith, her new devotional with Hosanna Revival. Together, they talk about what it means to rediscover the majesty of God, how to cultivate wonder in everyday life, and how Scripture—especially the Psalms—helps us reclaim a childlike faith.

Alicia also shares how Wonder came to be, how her time in the Word deepened her awe, and practical ways we can slow down and delight in who God is.

Connect with Alicia:
Instagram

Threads

Substack

Book link: Wonder: Rediscovering Our Awe of God and Reclaiming a Childlike Faith

 Connect with Lia:
Bookstagram: @liarossreads
Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast