Bookish Talks with Lia

In this episode, I’m joined by Brad Wetherell, senior pastor at a church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, to talk about his book Saved to Sin No More: How Union with Christ Empowers a Life of Holiness.

We spend time unpacking what it really means to be united with Christ and how that truth speaks directly into our everyday experience of sin, guilt, and fear. Brad walks us through how Scripture frames the Christian life—not as striving in isolation, but as living out the reality of what has already been made true in Christ.

We also talk about why so many believers feel worn down in their fight against sin, where misunderstandings about sanctification often show up, and how union with Christ reshapes the way we think about growth, struggle, and obedience.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, discouraged, or unsure of what real spiritual growth looks like, this conversation points you back to the hope and freedom we have in Jesus.

In this epsiode:

• The story behind Saved to Sin No More
• Why union with Christ matters for everyday Christian life
• Why believers still struggle with sin
• How Scripture reframes guilt, fear, and spiritual discouragement
• What real growth in holiness actually looks like
• Practical encouragement for weary Christians

Buy the book: Saved to Sin No More: How Union with Christ Empowers a Life of Holiness

Connect with Lia:Bookstagram: @liarossreads

Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Abbey Wedgeworth. We’re talking about her new book, Help! I’m Ruining My Kids.

In this conversation, we talk about the weight of our shortcomings in everyday parenting moments and how easy it is to feel like we are not measuring up. Abbey helps us think biblically about motherhood, pointing us back to Christ instead of self-reliance.

We talk about:

• The pressure moms feel in everyday parenting
• What to do with our sense of failure and shortcomings
• Resting in Christ instead of ourselves
• How grace meets us in weakness, not after we fix ourselves

If you are a mom who feels the gap between the mother you want to be and the mother you feel like you are, this conversation will encourage you.

Connect with Abbey:

Website: https://www.abbeywedgeworth.com
Instagram: @abbeywedgeworth

Books by Abbey Wedgeworth:

• Help! I’m Ruining My Kids
• Held
• Training Young Hearts series

Connect with Lia:

Bookstagram: ⁠@liarossreads⁠

Instagram: ⁠@bookishtalkspodcast⁠

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by Brittany Allen, author, wife, and mother, to talk about her book Free to Weep: Finding the Courage to Grieve and Embracing the God Who Heals.

The last time Brittany was on the show, we talked about her book Lost Gifts. In this conversation, we turn to the topic of grief more broadly and what it looks like to walk through suffering honestly.

We talk about the messages many of us hear in hard seasons like “suffering is good” or “at least it could be worse,” and why those can leave us feeling confused or alone. Brittany helps us name the common lies we tend to believe about suffering and gently points us back to the truth of who God is.

Together, we discuss what it means to grieve well, how to hold both sorrow and truth at the same time, and the comfort of knowing that God is near to the brokenhearted. If you are walking through grief or want to better support someone who is, this episode offers thoughtful, biblical encouragement.

In this episode, we cover:

• Common misconceptions about suffering

• What it means to “suffer well”
• How God meets us in our grief
• Supporting others in hard seasons
• Creating safe spaces for honesty in the local church and friendships

Resources mentioned:

• Free to Weep: Finding the Courage to Grieve and Embracing the God Who Heals by Brittany Allen
• Lost Gifts by Brittany Allen

Connect with Brittany:

• Follow Brittany and learn more about her work at brittleeallen.com and subscribe to her Treasuring Christ newsletter on Substack.

Listen to Brittany’s previous episode:

• Walking Through Miscarriage with Brittany Lee Allen

In this episode, I’m joined by Timothy St. John, a counseling pastor and author of After Church Hurt: Healing in the Care of the Good Shepherd.

We’re talking about church hurt and healing, what it is, how to recognize it, and what it looks like to begin healing in a healthy, biblical way. Timothy shares practical wisdom and Scripture-based guidance for processing pain, rebuilding trust, and discerning what a healthy church community can look like after hurt.

In this episode, we cover:

• What church hurt is and how to recognize it
• How to begin healing after church hurt
• What it looks like to rebuild trust after church hurt
• Biblical wisdom for navigating church community after pain

Get the book:
After Church Hurt by Timothy St. John

In this episode, I am joined by Joanna Kimbrel to talk about her devotional, You Are Satisfied: Devotions for Your Longing Heart (Gospel Truth for Women). We’re diving into how we can find true contentment and satisfaction in God—even when life feels messy, disappointing, or uncertain.

Joanna shares practical ways to turn to Scripture, trust God’s provision, and focus on the Giver rather than the gift. We also talk about finding hope in God’s promises, His plan, and His presence, and what it looks like to grow in satisfaction that lasts.

If you’ve ever felt restless, longing, or like your heart won’t be satisfied, this conversation is for you.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• You Are Satisfied: Devotions for Your Longing Heart (Gospel Truth for Women)
• The Gospel Truth for Women series

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by Jen Oshman, author, Bible teacher, and women’s ministry leader, to talk about her newest study, Very Good: What the Bible Says About Being a Woman.

There are so many messages coming at women about who we are and what our lives should look like. It can feel overwhelming trying to sort through what’s true and what’s just noise. In this conversation, we slow down and look at what Scripture actually says about being a woman and how that shapes the way we live today.

Jen shares the heart behind Very Good, a 7-session Bible study that walks through the story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. We talk about identity, purpose, and what it looks like to understand our place in God’s design. We also touch on how to approach difficult passages, think through cultural messages, and live faithfully in today’s world.

This conversation is both grounding and encouraging, especially if you’ve ever felt the tension between what culture says and what God’s Word teaches. My hope is that it points you back to Scripture with clarity and confidence.

In this episode, we cover:

• Navigating cultural messages about womanhood
• Understanding identity and purpose through Scripture
• Approaching difficult or confusing passages in the Bible
• The role of women in God’s redemptive story
• Living faithfully as a woman in today’s culture

Featured Book:

• Very Good: What the Bible Says About Being a Woman

More from Jen Oshman:

• Enough About Me
• Cultural Counterfeits
• Welcome
• It's Good to Be a Girl

This is a tender but deeply important conversation. I’m joined by Vaneetha Risner to talk about her new book, This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce, and to walk through the deep heartache of divorce, grief, and what it looks like to keep trusting God in a story you never would have chosen.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Vaneetha’s honest reflections on shame, lament, and forgiveness
• The slow, often painful work of healing after loss
• How to trust God in the middle of unexpected heartache
• Wisdom for loving a friend walking through similar struggles

Plus:

• Learn about Vaneetha’s podcast for more conversations about grief, hope, and God’s faithfulness
• Check out my past episode with Vaneetha
• Grab the book: This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce

Motherhood was never meant to be a solo sport, yet many of us find ourselves navigating it alone. Today, I’m chatting with Ashlee Gadd, founder of Coffee + Crumbs and editor and contributor of You're in Good Company.

This book is a collection of essays about friendships, food, hospitality, and the kind of community so many moms are longing for. It’s full of real-life stories, practical ideas, and encouragement to show up consistently—even when life is messy.

In our conversation, we talk about why motherhood wasn’t meant to be a solo sport, simple ways busy moms can build meaningful friendships, and why showing up in real life still matters—even in a digital world.

I also want to note that I reference something Ashlee said related to Sarah’s essay Collateral Damage. That comment isn’t actually in the essay itself—it came from a separate Coffee + Crumbs conversation here.

In this episode:

• Why motherhood isn’t meant to be a solo sport

• How to build meaningful friendships as a busy mom

• Redefining hospitality in everyday life

• Simple ways to gather and create community

• Why showing up in real life still matters

  
  

  Connect with Ashlee & Coffee + Crumbs

• Coffee + Crumbs website: https://www.coffeeandcrumbs.net

• Coffee + Crumbs Podcast: Apple Podcasts

• Instagram: @coffeeandcrumbs

• Ashlee Gadd on Instagram: @ashleegadd

• Ashlee Gadd website: https://www.ashleegadd.com

Buy the book: You're In Good Company: The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood, and Showing Up

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