The Votive Podcast

Haley interviews celebrated author Gary D. Schmidt, the winner of multiple Newbery Honor awards and a National Book Award finalist, about his middle grade novel, The Labors of Hercules Beal. They discuss how great stories can equip the young reader with courage and hope and explore the value of the classical myths and medieval literature. They also talk about Gary’s approach to writing for children and crafting books that respect the child reader.

Learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Haley interviews poet and fiction writer Sally Thomas. In this episode they discuss Sally’s wonderful novel Works of Mercy, how to get children to love poetry, and the delightful surprise of the different seasons of life for parents who are also writers or artists. 

Learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Haley interviews John Herreid, a graphic designer and illustrator. They discuss the rise of images generated by artificial intelligence, what we lose as artists and human beings with AI, and what simple things we can do in our families to push back and cultivate an appreciation for human-made art.

Learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

In this episode Haley interviews Sarah Mackenzie, homeschooling mom of many, founder of Read Aloud Revival, and author of several books including A Little More Beautiful and Because Barbara. They discuss the elements of a wonderful picture book, their favorite books to read aloud, Sarah’s friendship with celebrated author/illustrator Tomie dePaola, and trends in children’s publishing.

Learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

In this episode, Haley interviews Claire Swinarski, the award-winning author of What Happened to Rachel Riley? They discuss the often overlooked genre of middle grade fiction. The conversation explores how to help young readers wrestle with difficult experiences through stories that equip them with courage and hope. 

Learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

In this episode Haley interviews Daniel Mitsui, a professional artist specializing in sacred art. They discuss the artistic traditions that influence his work and how to help our children not merely be familiar with art history but to truly develop a love and appreciation for beautiful art. Daniel also shares specific recommendations for great illustrators and wonderful picture books to share with the children in your life.

Learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

This episode features Fabiola Garza, the author and illustrator of bestselling book Princesses of Heaven. Haley and Fabiola discuss this incredible project, how books like this can form a young reader’s understanding of her worth and dignity, and the kind of extensive research that goes into writing and illustrating a book about historical figures (in this case, the saints). If you’re looking for someone to help your child connect with, be inspired by, and befriend the saints, look no further than Fabiola Garza.

Order your copy of Princesses of Heaven from the Word on Fire bookstore and learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Haley Stewart interviews Dr. Abigail Favale, a professor in the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and the author of The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory. In this episode we discuss how to communicate the sacramentality of the body to young children in a culture that’s confused about gender and embodiment. We also talk about the importance of good stories in sharing better narratives of femininity and masculinity, what the Barbie movie may have gotten right, and Dr. Favale’s brand new book for children: Here I Am. 

Order your copy of Here I Am from the Word on Fire Bookstore and learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Haley Stewart interviews Dr. Vigen Guroian, author of Tending the Heart of Virtue. They discuss the importance of reading fairy tales like those from the Brothers Grimm and George MacDonald, how fairy tales form the imagination for the Gospel, and why these stories are essential reading to help children learn to navigate life.

Learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Haley interviews Cory Heimann and Tricia Dugat, the author/illustrator team behind two innovative books: Light of the Saints and Light of the Sacraments. This episode discusses what inspired Cory and Tricia to develop these projects, how family life contributes to the creative life, and how to communicate theological concepts to children in ways that elicit awe and wonder and are never dull.

Learn more about the children’s literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.