In this episode of Read the Damn Book, Michelle Glogovac interviews debut author about her novel Too Blessed to Stress, a sharp and timely exploration of influencer culture, church communities, and the impact of social media on modern faith.

Ali shares the inspiration behind Too Blessed to Stress, her research into Christian influencer spaces, and how she crafted complex, relatable characters navigating ambition, belief, and online identity. The conversation dives into the pressures of curated perfection, performative faith, and the blurred lines between authenticity and branding in today’s digital world.

If you're interested in books about influencer culture, social media satire, women in faith communities, or contemporary fiction exploring religion and identity, this episode offers thoughtful insights and behind-the-scenes perspective from a rising debut author.

What We're Talking About...

1. Faith and influencer culture: exploring Christianity in the age of social media
2. The research behind Too Blessed to Stress and writing authentic church communities
3. Character development in contemporary Christian fiction
4. Social media’s impact on identity, authenticity, and online personas
5. Influencer branding, performative faith, and curated perfection
6. Writing nuanced, respectful social commentary about religion and modern culture
7. Representation of women navigating ambition, belief, and digital spaces

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

02:06 Overview of Too Blessed to Stress and Themes

03:58 Researching Religious Communities and Influencer Culture

06:59 Character Development and Representation

10:03 Social Media's Role in Shaping Identity

12:55 Nuance, Respect, and Satire in the Book

16:09 The Power of Online Personas and Secrets

19:06 Inspiration for Characters and Plot Elements

22:12 Upcoming Book 'People Please' and New Directions

23:50 Author's Journey and Future Plans

26:03 Closing Remarks and Where to Find the Book

Links Mentioned

Alli Hoff Kosik's Website: https://allihoffkosik.com

Order Your Copy of Too Blessed to Stress: https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress

Alli Hoff Kosik's Upcoming Events: https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress-events

Alli Hoff Kosik's Substack: https://allihoffkosik.substack.com/?r=1frb8&utm_medium=web&utm_source=navbar

Alli Hoff Kosik's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allihoffkosik