What's Going On?

A couple of updates and some Substack recommendations

Hi everyone,

I have a couple of events I’m participating in that I wanted to let you know about. Then I share several of the Substacks that are moving me these days.

Soul-Driven Author Summit

People have sometimes asked me how I wrote a book with a full-time job and family, and I say that it took me about ten years. With the encouragement of a dear friend and a seasoned editor, I wove writings, articles, and sermons together that I had worked on carefully over time to become “The Holy Ordinary.”

I have joined a great group of speakers at the “Soul Driven Author’s Summit,” organized by Laura B. Fox, to talk about the process. I admire Laura’s dedication to supporting writers and celebrating the craft of spiritual writing, and it was a joy to be in conversation with her. If you’d like to watch our interview or learn from others about the inspiration and mechanics of writing a spirituality book, I encourage you to check this out. This event takes place September 24-26. Click the link above or here for free registration.

Off the Page Podcast

I joined the writer and podcaster Stephen Copeland of Franciscan Media to talk about my book. His thoughtful questions took the conversation in meaningful directions. Have a listen on Youtube or on the show’s home page here if interested.

Harvard Divinity School, November 4

I’ll be speaking at Harvard Divinity School in November. If you are in the Boston/Cambridge area, want to join? It would be wonderful to connect. Here’s the flyer:

From The Heart To The Page And Back Again Hds Alumnx Authors On The Spiritual Life (1)

4.65MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Substacks That Are Inspiring Me Right Now

Substack is hopping, if you didn’t already know! There are so many talented writers here. The following is a shortlist of folks who have inspired me lately. Check them out.

Cameron Trimble’s “Piloting Faith”

This almost-daily newsletter sometimes stuns me with its wisdom.

Adam Bucko’s “Contemplative Witness

Stirring contemplative reflections that call us to prayer and revolutionary love.

Randy Woodley

Randy Woodley is here writing about politics, spirituality, Indigeneity, and hope. Deeply informed by history, Scripture, and ecology.

Paul Swanson’s “Contemplify”

Once a month, Paul Swanson sends out evocative, poetic musings on the contemplative life and what books he has been reading. It’s a gem.

J. Kameron Carter’s “Religion Otherwise”

This Princeton scholar weighs in here rarely, but when he does (like in the past couple of weeks), he writes with incisive moral passion, bringing in-depth analysis to current events.

The Beinart Notebook

Peter Beinart has been writing courageously about the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza for several years now.

Life, Death, and Comedy

I discovered this one several days ago, and really love what the writer is up to. Plus, it looks like this Substack is just starting out—want to share some encouragement and subscribe?

Teaching Through Emotions

Teacher trainer and psychotherapist Betsy Burris’s primary audience is folks in the classroom, but really her stirring insights are about how to be better humans.

The Porch

Gareth Higgins is writing a beautiful series called “Principles” that offers big picture reflections about finding a way out of collective despair and violence.

And I’m sure I missed so many! What Substacks are inspiring you lately? Place them in the comments for people to discover. Have a great week.