Okay, that title was a little clickbaity, I’ll admit. The truth is that I made this episode of The Waffler after 6 failed attempts to record some writing course content. I realised that I wasn’t in a headspace to be teaching – I just needed to relax and chat with you guys.

The last week has been a whirlwind in so many ways as I reconfigure my plans look for the remainder of the year (you know… in light of not going to Oxford come October).

But despite the clickbait title of this episode, I can confirm that I’m shockingly okay. And there’s a reason why. See, God keeps doing the same little miracle every time I reach a crossroads in my career. He’s been doing it for the last 6 years. And to my amazement, He’s done it again. I shouldn’t be surprised, but my limited human understanding really does fall down in awe every time I get an ounce of God’s supernatural goodness crossing my path.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Mentioned in this episode

I did not get in to Oxford.

I tanked my Oxford interview, and this is what it taught me...

If you’d like to upgrade to a paid subscription to listen to the full episode (and get a year comped subscription to my C.S. Lewis podcast), you can do so by clicking here.

Join The Writer’s List to get emails of encouragement specifically for Christian writers (and my free punctuation email course launching later this month).

Click here to listen to the C.S. Lewis Podcast.

I don’t often make an entire episode of The Waffler free to all subscribers, but I felt like this discussion was worth having and sharing with the wider public (at the risk of being internet cancelled) because I’ve been seeing an INFLUX of Christian writers jumping on the topic of AI here on Substack. As a writing teacher, ya’ll, I have THOUGHTS. And some of them don’t appear to be very trendy. But I invite you to approach this topic through a more nuanced lens (and at the very least, give me some grace!)

Because truth be told, I don’t think that the discussions which have been circulating on Notes are particularly healthy. I think they encourage a tribalism and gatekeeping spirit towards the craft of writing. I think they ignore the importance of operating with discernment. And I think that there’s a lot more to consider about the use of AI as a writing tool than the binary conversations which I’m currently watching unfold.

So pull up a seat, grab a cuppa, and join in for a waffley, hot take on whether Christians should be using AI in their writing.

And if, after listening to said waffle, you think to yourself “Hey, I’d like to learn more about writing from this chick,” then it’s worth mentioning that Pick Up Your Sword, my writing course for aspiring Christian authors, is opening for enrolment again this Friday. And if you join the waitlist below, you’ll get a special £150 discount when the cart opens (because I just like you and stuff).Join the waitlist: https://christinalynnwallace.myflodesk.com/waitlist

Mentioned in this episode:Magic Like This essay on Screwtape Letters and humility.Magic Like This podcast episode on humility.My 7-day devotional for Christian writers.

I’m really spilling the tea about some of my deepest insecurities and fears in this episode of The Waffler after having an incredible experience with God on Good Friday in a beautiful little Presbyterian chapel in Scotland. I’ll also be sharing some minor pivots that I’ll be making to The Battle Cry moving forward in response to this new invitation to rest in my own “quietness.” I hope you’ll join me for the oh-so-waffley ride.

Mentioned in this episode

Kristen LaValley’s essay on the Edinburgh Writing Retreat

I Can’t Keep Silent About This Anymore

If you’d like to upgrade to a paid subscription to listen to the full episode (and get a year comped subscription to my C.S. Lewis podcast), you can do so by clicking here.

Click here to join The Writer’s List to get emails of encouragement specifically for Christian writers.

Click here to listen to the C.S. Lewis Podcast.

My essay on the Enneagram exploded, I spent 5 hours cleaning and having a theological debate with myself, and then God brought me to a place I’d grieved and given up 7 years ago. (Spoiler alert: He’s giving it back to me.)

Welcome to your behind-the-scenes-waffle of an incredible new chapter of my testimony and how it will (hopefully) encourage you in your own faith as a curious, creative follower of Christ.

If you’d like to upgrade to a paid subscription to listen to the full episode, you can do so here: https://christinalynnwallace.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I share some grounding reminders for anyone who is in a season that feels a bit like a desert. Because even in the midst of GOOD things, I personally find it way too easy to root my mind in the bondage of poor mental health. Doubt, lack of gratitude, worry: it all sets in. And while I may “look” like I have it all together (because that’s part of my job during a launch), make no mistake – I retreat to the familiarity of old, toxic patterns just like the Israelites did after they were freed from Egypt.

I hope this episode encourages you, and I hope you’ll take a look at my other resources below, because if the work I do can help you explore your own gratitude, faith, and creativity, then I count that as a job well done.

Further resources:

Click here to listen to my C.S. Lewis podcast or subscribe below.

Learn more about my writing course by joining the Pick Up Your Sword list here.

Today, I’m coming ‘atcha with allll the updates on why this week has been simultaneously sucky and AWESOME, how I feel God is strengthening my “joy muscle,” a bit of insight into my system for reading Scripture on an (almost) daily basis, updates on Oxford and my academic life, and, most importantly, Exodus. I was NOT expecting God to tell me that Exodus would be the first book of the Bible to kick off my studies this year. But as always, He knows what He’s doing.

This one waffles with the best of them because I recorded it on 4 hours (at best) of sleep. But it ends on a high! So enjoy! Happy New Year, friends!

Chapters for the episode:

00:00 Reflections on 2025: A Year of Hope

05:02 The Intersection of Suffering and Joy

09:17 Exciting Developments in Writing Career

15:00 Launching a Writing Course: Pick Up Your Sword

20:56 Pursuing Academic Dreams: A Theology Degree

26:38 The Call to Influence: Engaging with Culture

30:56 Engaging with Scripture: A Personal Approach

36:24 Exploring Exodus: Parallels to Modern Humanity

38:47 Understanding Exegesis vs. Isogesis in Scripture

43:25 The Complexity of God's Character: Pharaoh's Heart

50:47 Waging War on Paganism: The Plagues of Egypt

01:00:42 The Cycle of Comfort and Disobedience

01:08:58 Embracing a Year of Jubilee: Living in Hope

Listen to my C.S. Lewis podcast, Magic Like This:

https://magiclikethis.substack.com/

Essays mentioned in this episode:https://christinalynnwallace.substack.com/p/something-is-happening-can-anyone

https://christinalynnwallace.substack.com/p/taylor-swift-and-our-inky-black-mire

Join the waitlist for the Pick Up Your Sword course:

https://christinalynnwallace.myflodesk.com/waitlist

Register your interest for my 90-minute writing workshop:

https://christinalynnwallace.myflodesk.com/swordfromthestone

Book a Writer's Audit 1:1 mentorship call:

https://calendly.com/hellochristinalynnwallace/90-minute-writer-s-audit?month=2025-01

In the inaugural episode of The Waffler, Christina Wallace introduces her private podcast, sharing her motivations and the raw, unedited nature of the content. She reflects on her journey from a challenging upbringing in the Mojave Desert to finding her voice in writing and teaching in the UK. Christina emphasises the importance of personal and spiritual growth, the balance of humour and seriousness in her work, and her aspirations for the future as a self-employed writer and entrepreneur.

Get accessed to future episodes of this paid podcast by visiting https://christinalynnwallace.substack.com and becoming a paid subscriber

Takeaways

The Waffler is a raw and unedited podcast.

Christina aims to connect more personally with her audience.

She draws inspiration from her friend Dusty's podcast.

The podcast will explore themes of creativity and spirituality.

Christina's writing journey began in her teenage years.

She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in sharing scripture.

Her upbringing in the Mojave Desert shaped her desire for change.

Meeting her husband in the UK was a pivotal moment in her life.

Teaching became a passion she discovered unexpectedly.

Christina's journey reflects resilience and the pursuit of dreams.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Waffler Podcast

01:33 The Heart Behind The Waffler

04:40 Navigating Life's Challenges and Emotions

08:31 Christina's Journey to the UK

17:59 The Evolution of Writing and Teaching

27:38 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Reflections