Bookish Talks with Lia

In this episode, I chat with Bethany McIlrath, author of the Abigail series, about teaching kids biblical truth through stories. We discuss the heart behind the series, how relatable characters and everyday adventures help young readers apply Scripture to their lives, and her newest release, Abigail and the Fear Fix. Bethany also shares how parents can help children navigate their fears while learning to trust God. Plus, I share about the⁠ Abigail Yoto cards⁠ coming to The Good Book Company on November 1!

Books Mentioned

The Abigail Series by Bethany McIlrath

1. Abigail and the Big Start Over

2. Abigail and the Career Day Catastrophe

3. Abigail Gets Left Out

4. Abigail and the Christmas Contest

5. Abigail and the Summer Situation

6. Abigail and the Fear Fix

   Get the full series

   
   

Connect with Lia:

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠

Connect with Bethany:

• Instagram: @bethanymcilrath
  

In this episode, I'm joined by Katie Polski to discuss her new devotional, You Are a Child of God: Devotions for Living Your Grace-Filled Identity. Together, we explore what it means to live confidently as a daughter of God, why so many women struggle with their identity, and how the truth of the gospel provides freedom, security, and hope.

Katie shares the heart behind this eight-week devotional, the role of Zephaniah 3:17 in shaping the book, and practical encouragement for women who may be wrestling with doubt, loneliness, insecurity, or feeling distant from God.

We also talk about adoption into God's family, finding purpose in suffering, and how understanding our identity in Christ transforms the way we relate to both God and others.

Book Mentioned

You Are a Child of God: Devotions for Living Your Grace-Filled Identity⁠

Connect with Katie

• Website: katiepolski.com
• Instagram: @katiepolski

Connect with Lia:

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠
  

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Walking Through Anxiety and Depression with Hope Blanton and Christine Gordon

In this episode, I’m joined by returning guests Hope Blanton and Christine Gordon to discuss their new book, Hope for the Anxious and Depressed: A Biblical and Practical Guide for Christians Walking through the Darkness.

Anxiety and depression are struggles many Christians face, yet questions about faith, counseling, medication, and mental health often leave believers feeling confused or alone. Hope and Christine bring together theological insight, clinical experience, and personal stories to help Christians think biblically about anxiety and depression while pointing readers to the hope found in Christ.

We discuss common misconceptions surrounding mental health struggles, the difference between everyday worry and clinical anxiety, the role of counseling and medication, how churches can better support those who are hurting, and practical ways to walk alongside loved ones experiencing anxiety or depression.

In this episode:

• ​The heart behind Hope for the Anxious and Depressed
• ​Common misconceptions about anxiety and depression
• ​Distinguishing everyday worry from clinical anxiety and depression
• ​Why faith and professional mental health care are not competing solutions
• ​The role of counseling, medication, and spiritual disciplines
• ​How churches can better support those struggling with anxiety and depression
• ​Practical ways to care for loved ones who are hurting
• ​The hope Christians have in the midst of anxiety and depression

Book Mentioned

Hope for the Anxious and Depressed: A Biblical and Practical Guide for Christians Walking through the Darkness by Hope A. Blanton and Christine B. GordonPrevious Episode: Finding Freedom in Your Bible Study with At His Feet Studies

More Conversations on Biblical Counseling and Mental Health

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out these related Bookish Talks with Lia conversations:

• ​Caring for One Another Well in Your Local Church with Helen Thorne
• ​Healing After Church Hurt with Timothy St. John
• ​Supporting Others Through Trauma with Darby Strickland
• ​Counseling with Biblical Truth and Hope with Rebekah Hannah of Anchored Virtual
• ​Helping Kids Build Their Identity in Christ with Jonathan Holmes
• ​Becoming Trauma Aware with Eliza Huie

Connect with Hope and Christine

Website: https://www.athisfeetstudies.com

Instagram: @athsfeetstudies

Connect with Lia:

• ​Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• ​Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠

In this episode, I am joined by Courtney Doctor to talk about her new children’s book, Andy and His Big Question: A Story About How God’s Love Always Comes First, which she co-wrote with her grandson, Bo Doctor.

We talk about the inspiration behind the book, answering kids’ big questions about God, teaching children foundational biblical truths, and creating space for meaningful conversations about faith. Courtney also shares about the unique experience of writing a book with her grandson and how parents and grandparents can use books to encourage discipleship conversations at home.

Books Mentioned:

Andy and His Big Question: A Story About How God’s Love Always Comes First by Courtney Doctor and Bo Doctor

Connect with Courtney

• Website:https://www.courtneydoctor.org
• Instagram: @courtneycdoctor
• Podcast: The Deep Dish

Connect with Lia

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠

What does the Bible have to say about what we wear?

In this episode, I’m joined by Caroline Saunders, author of But What Do I Wear?: The Biblical Story of Clothing, How It Helps Us Think About Getting Dressed, and Approximately Seventeen Stories I May Regret Telling.

We talk about the biblical story of clothing, why getting dressed can carry so much emotional weight, and what it looks like to approach getting dressed as an act of worship.

Caroline also shares about her faith and writing journey and what it means for us to ultimately be clothed in Christ.

Books Mentioned:

But What Do I Wear?: The Biblical Story of Clothing, How It Helps Us Think About Getting Dressed, and Approximately Seventeen Stories I May Regret Telling by Caroline Saunders

Connect with Caroline

Author Website: WriterCaroline.com 

Facebook: Caroline Saunders 

Instagram: @writercaroline 

Connect with Lia:

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠

In this episode, author Ana Ávila joins me to discuss her new book, Life in Devotion:Cultivating a Deeper Relationship with God in the Everyday. We talk about what it looks like to move beyond a checklist or a “quiet time” routine and into a life of communion with the Lord.

Ana shares her story of coming to know Christ, how she stepped into writing and ministry, and the heart behind this book. We also talk honestly about the discouragement many believers feel when spiritual disciplines feel inconsistent, and how Scripture and prayer can become places of joy rather than pressure.

If you’ve ever struggled with consistency in your walk with God or felt like you’re always starting over, this conversation will encourage you.

Connect with Ana Ávila

• Book: Life in Devotion: Cultivating a Deeper Relationship with God in the Everyday
• @anaavilaosuna

Connect with Lia:

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠
  

What does it look like to care for one another well in your local church?

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by Helen Thorne-Allenson, author of A Church That Cares: A Biblical Guide to Loving One Another Well. We talk about what it means to build a culture of care in your local church and why caring for one another isn’t simply the responsibility of pastors or counselors. It’s something every Christian can participate in.

Helen shares practical, biblical wisdom for caring for one another in the church, especially when we don’t feel equipped or know exactly what to say. We talk about what it looks like to listen well, come alongside someone in need, and trust God rather than feeling like we have to have all the answers.

We also talk about the role church leaders play in creating a culture where people are encouraged and equipped to care for one another. Helen shares why vulnerability matters for leaders and why having healthy boundaries around confidentiality is so important when caring for others.

Whether your church already has a strong culture of care or you see areas where there is room to grow, this conversation will encourage you to consider how you can love and care for the people God has placed around you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What it means to create a culture of care in your local church
• Depending on God through prayer
• Learning to listen well
• How leaders can model honesty, weakness, and repentance
• Accountability and healthy boundaries in pastoral care
• Practical ways you can contribute to a caring church
  

About Helen Thorne-Allenson

Helen Thorne-Allenson is a biblical counselor and author who writes about applying biblical truth to the complexities of everyday life. In A Church That Cares, she offers practical and biblical guidance for developing a church culture where people genuinely love and care for one another.

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

• A Church That Cares: A Biblical Guide to Loving One Another Well by Helen Thorne-Allenson
• Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships by Edward T. Welch

Biblical Counseling Resources: Find articles, podcasts, books, and other resources from Biblical Counselling UK to help you care for others well. Explore Biblical Counselling UK Resources

Connect with Lia:

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠

Do you ever feel like you're constantly running from one thing to the next, yet still feel restless and exhausted?

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I'm joined by author and ministry leader Aimee Joseph to talk about her newest book, Made to Rest: True Peace in a World That Never Stops.

We talk about why it's so difficult for us to truly rest, the ways control, striving, and our desire for satisfaction can leave us restless, and what it looks like to receive rest as a gift from God rather than simply taking a break from our busy lives.

Aimee also shares about Sabbath, finding peace in Christ, and cultivating rhythms of rest even when life doesn't slow down.

If you've been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you simply can't turn your brain off, I think this conversation will be a timely encouragement.

I hope you're encouraged and challenged to consider what it looks like to truly rest in Christ.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Made to Rest: True Peace in a World That Never Stops by Aimee Joseph
• Look, Listen, Live: Cultivating Attention in a Distracted Culture by Aimee Joseph
  

Connect with Aimee:

• Website: ⁠⁠https://aimeejoseph.blog
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@aimeejosephwrites

Connect with Lia:

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin to discuss her newest book, Dust to Dust: Aging Wisely in an Anti-Aging World.

In Dust to Dust, Jen challenges the cultural narrative that aging is something to fear or resist. Instead, she invites us to see aging through a biblical lens and recognize the dignity, wisdom, and value found in every season of life.

In this episode, we talk about the arc of life, caregiving, honoring our aging parents, intergenerational discipleship, the graying of America, and how the church can better embrace and serve people across generations.

You can order Dust to Dust: Aging Wisely in an Anti-Aging World by Jen Wilkin from:

• Amazon
• Westminster Books 
• 10ofThose 

Connect with Jen Wilkin:

Instagram: @jenwilkin Website: https://www.jenwilkin.net

Other Books Mentioned:

• Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
• The Knowledge of Holy by A.W. Tozer

Connect with Lia:

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠

In this episode, Shannon Popkin joins me to talk about her book Kinda Judgy and how Scripture reshapes the way we think about judgment, pride, and mercy.

Through six biblical stories, Shannon helps us see how easily a critical spirit can take root and how Jesus leads us into something better by receiving mercy and extending it to others.

If you have ever felt weighed down by comparison, criticism, or strained relationships, this episode will help you move toward a more merciful way of seeing others and yourself.

Book Mentioned

Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible by Shannon Popkin

Connect with Shannon Popkin

• Website: shannonpopkin.com
• Instagram: @shannonpopkin
• Podcast: Listen to Live Like It’s True Bible Podcast
  

Connect with Lia:

• Bookstagram: ⁠⁠@liarossreads⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠