Table of (Mal)Contents

As children, most of us were captivated by the world and everything in it. Every blade of grass, every cloud, ever unidentifiable brown thing on the ground… all of it intrigued us. We wanted to know what it was. We asked the question “why”… All. The. Time.

And somewhere along the way, we lost it, and started to think of things as boring. So how did this happen, and how can we get this sense of curiosity back? Barnabas Piper and I discuss this and more in the first part of a two-

I remember dreading the moment when we’d have to start reading Shakespeare during my seventh grade English class. I could understand what I was reading, but never really knew why I was doing it at all, beyond it being part of the curriculum. So is there a good reason for us to read plays, and not simply watch them? Actor and playwright Max McLean and I discuss this and more on today’s episode of Reading Writers.

Also in this episode, we discuss:

* How McLean feels abo

I’ve never been a fan of horror movies. In fact, when my dad and sister used to watch them together, I would almost always find something—anything—else to do. In another room. Outside, if the weather was nice. I’m not a fan of gore, but I am a fan of stories that create an emotional response, particularly ones that cause some genuine fear and excitement. And I enjoy sharing these with my kids (in age-appropriate ways, of course).

But what’s the benefit of this? Why shoul

What does it take to create a new fantastical world? And how does fantasy help us enjoy this world more? N.D. Wilson, discuss this, Star Trek, and the realities of publishing in today’s episode of Reading Writers.

Thanks for listening to part one of my interview with N.D. Wilson. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review on iTunes. Your feedback really does help more people find the show. Be sure to check out Wilsons books, including the 

How does reading really help us? How does it affect us, change us, and help us as worshipers? Listen in as Stephen Miller and I discuss in a favorite moment from season one of Reading Writers.

Thanks for listening and tune in next week for another favorite moment from season one of Reading Writers, and look for season two to begin in March 2017.

I don’t know what it’s like to have “the talk”. Not that “the talk,” of course—the kind Ta-Nehisi Coates describes in his book, Between The World and Me. The kind that many African American fathers have to have with their sons about what to expect living in a nation still dealing with deep divides based on the color of your skin.

A few months ago, Jared Wilson and I discussed this book and its implications, which I’m revisiting in today’s best

What does it really mean to say you like a book? Does it mean you find it morally praiseworthy? Does it mean you agree with everything in its pages?

One of my favorite conversations from the first weeks of the podcast centered around this topic as Barnabas Piper and I discussed what it means to be a curious reader. On today’s first best-of episode of Reading Writers, I’m sharing a portion of that conversation with you. Enjoy!

Tune in next week for a favorite moment from my c

This is it: after a hiatus in December, Reading Writers is back with our season finale! Today, Emily joins me for a look back at three favorite funny moments on the podcast (and possibly create a few new ones along the way). Listen in as we look back on:

* The time Brandon Smith and I got into a heated discussion about Batman;

* When Emily confused Norm MacDonald for Rick Moranis (but really meant someone else entirely); and

* A silly, never-before-heard moment as Kevin Peck

There are some books that you get uncomfortable admitting you’ve never read. Within certain circles, Desiring God is one of them. But should you be concerned about that? And is there any value in reading Christian romance novels? Ronnie Martin joins me to discuss these questions and more on this week’s episode of Reading Writers.

In this episode, you’ll hear

* What Ronnie likes about Christian Christmas romance books;

* One of the best preaching books you ha

What keeps leaders from developing other leaders? This is a pretty sticky subject, but there might be a real answer (even if we don’t really like what it is). So what is it? Kevin Peck and I discuss this and more on today’s episode of Reading Writers.

In this episode, you’ll hear

* What keeps leaders from developing other leaders;

* Why leaders need to be (broad) readers;

* What prevents us from being better readers; and

* The book I’m goi