Bookish Talks with Lia

Latest Episodes:

Singing That Bears Fruit with Ryanne Molinari Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Music is a powerful part of corporate worship—but it can also be a source of tension in many churches. How can we engage in singing that truly glorifies God and strengthens the body of Christ?

In this episode, I’m joined by Ryanne J. Molinari, pianist, organist, worship director, and author of Spirit-Filled Singing: Bearing Fruit as We Worship Together. Ryanne shares a biblical framework for Spirit-filled worship, exploring how the fruit of the Spirit can shape the way we sing and worship together. We talk about cultivating intentional worship, encouraging congregations and worship teams, and growing in Christlikeness through song.

Ryanne also shares her favorite worship artists, books that have shaped her faith and ministry, and insight for anyone seeking to deepen their worship life. Whether you lead worship, sing in the congregation, or simply want to grow in Spirit-filled singing, this episode is full of encouragement and practical takeaways.

Topics We Cover:

What Spirit-filled singing looks like in practice
How the fruit of the Spirit applies to corporate worship
Encouragement for worship teams and congregants
Ryanne’s favorite Christian books and worship music
Growing in Christlikeness through worship

Resources & Links:

Buy the book: Spirit-Filled Singing: Bearing Fruit as We Worship Together by Ryanne Molinari
Ryanne’s website: https://ryannemolinari.com/writing/
Spotify Playlist
Follow Ryanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanne_molinari/

Growing in Awe of God with Carolyn Lacey Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode I’m chatting with Carolyn Lacey, a writer, speaker, and pastor’s wife based in the UK. We dive into her newest book, Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe of God, a devotional designed to help us lift our eyes off ourselves and focus on God’s glory, power, kindness, and wisdom.

Carolyn shares the heart behind the book, the Scriptures that shaped her writing, and why cultivating awe of God brings freedom from fear, comparison, and spiritual weariness. We also talk about practical ways to experience awe in everyday life and how we can encourage one another to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Why growing in awe of God matters for your daily life
How awe brings freedom from fear, comparison, and spiritual “meh” seasons
Practical ways to cultivate awe in work, parenting, and ordinary moments
The Scriptures that inspired Carolyn as she wrote Amazed
How we can help each other grow in awe of God

Resources & Links:

Follow Carolyn Lacey on Instagram
Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe of God – Link to purchase

Finding Freedom in Your Bible Study with At His Feet Studies Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Do you ever feel like your Bible study has to look a certain way—or that you’re falling short if it doesn’t? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m talking with Christine Gordon and Hope Blanton, co-founders of At His Feet Studies, about how women can approach Scripture without burden, performance, or guilt.

Christine and Hope share their journey of starting At His Feet Studies, how their Bible studies are designed to be practical, approachable, and life-giving, and tips for women in every season of life to engage with God’s Word in a meaningful way.

In this conversation, we explore:

How to study the whole Bible—even the hard or overlooked parts—without feeling overwhelmed.

Tips for women returning to the Word after a dry season.
Their favorite Bible study tools, personal habits, and encouragement for daily Scripture engagement.

Grab their studies: www.athisfeetstudies.com

Cultivating Attention in a Distracted Culture with Aimee Joseph Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Has your attention felt scattered lately? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by author and ministry leader Aimee Joseph to discuss her new book, Look, Listen, Live: Cultivating Attention in a Distracted Culture.

Aimee explores how we can move from distracted living to deeper devotion by practicing presence, noticing beauty, and even allowing pain to shape our attention in life-giving ways. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, and personal experience, she offers practical and spiritual guidance for cultivating holy attention in a world full of distractions.

We also dive into Aimee’s journey of faith, her experiences in ministry and motherhood, and how her own life has shaped her approach to attention, worship, and spiritual growth. Whether you’re seeking to be more present with God, your family, or your community, this conversation is full of encouragement and challenge for living with focused, meaningful attention.

Grab the book here

Rediscovering Our Awe of God with Alicia Hamilton Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt like your sense of awe has faded? In this conversation, Lia sits down with Alicia Hamilton, author of Wonder: Rediscovering Our Awe of God and Reclaiming a Childlike Faith, her new devotional with Hosanna Revival. Together, they talk about what it means to rediscover the majesty of God, how to cultivate wonder in everyday life, and how Scripture—especially the Psalms—helps us reclaim a childlike faith.

Alicia also shares how Wonder came to be, how her time in the Word deepened her awe, and practical ways we can slow down and delight in who God is.

Connect with Alicia:
Instagram

Threads

Substack

Book link: Wonder: Rediscovering Our Awe of God and Reclaiming a Childlike Faith

Connect with Lia:
Bookstagram: @liarossreads
Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

Facing Death with Loved Ones with Whitney Pipkin Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I sit down with Whitney K. Pipkin, wife, mom of three, and author of We Shall All Be Changed: How Facing Death with Loved Ones Transforms Us. Whitney wrote this deeply personal and honest book after walking with her mom through the final season of a long cancer journey. Named the 2024 TGC Book Award winner in the First-Time Author category, her story points readers to truth, hope, and the presence of God even in grief.

We talk about the heart behind her writing, the surprises she encountered in the process, and the hope she wants readers to carry away. Whether you’re walking through grief, caring for a loved one, or simply wanting to approach conversations about death with courage and faith, this episode offers encouragement, insight, and hope.

Grab the book

Thriving After Cancer with Marissa Henley Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, I’m joined by author and speaker Marissa Henley to talk about what it looks like to truly thrive after cancer and how we can love others well through that journey.

Marissa was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer in her 30s, and she shares how God met her in that season and how it transformed her view of faith, suffering, and community. We also discuss what inspired her to write After Cancer: Thriving with Hope and Loving Your Friend Through Cancer, and the lessons she’s learned about walking alongside those who are hurting.

If you’ve ever wondered how to support a friend facing illness—or you’re in a hard season yourself—this conversation offers both compassion and practical guidance.

Grab your coffee or tea, and let’s get started.

How Marissa came to faith and began writing
What her cancer journey taught her about God’s character
Encouragement for survivors learning to live beyond treatment
Practical ways to love a friend walking through cancer
How the body of Christ can better support one another in suffering
What to avoid saying when you want to help

Marissa Henley is a writer, speaker, and the author of After Cancer: Thriving with Hope and Loving Your Friend Through Cancer. She holds a graduate certificate in systematic theology from Reformed Theological Seminary and serves the body of Christ through her local church and ministry efforts. Marissa lives in Northwest Arkansas with her husband, where she loves annoying her teenage daughter with Gen Z slang and trying to lure her two sons home from college with offers of food and laundry.

After Cancer: Thriving with Hope by Marissa Henley
Loving Your Friend Through Cancer by Marissa Henley

Teaching Kids to Lament with Alyson Punzi Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Today, I am joined by Alyson Punzi, author of the new picture book He Always Hears, published by Crossway. Her book helps children understand grief and sadness through biblical lament, teaching them that God hears their prayers and meets them in their emotions.

In this episode, we talk about what biblical lament really means, why it matters for children, and practical ways caregivers can have honest, faith-filled conversations about sadness, hope, and God’s promises. This conversation is full of encouragement and practical insights for anyone helping kids navigate big emotions, and you will walk away inspired and equipped.

Alyson has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cedarville University and is passionate about discipleship and theology. After the sudden loss of her husband, who died of leukemia and was a pastor, she began writing about grief, lament, single motherhood, and guiding children through difficult emotions. Alyson and her daughter live in small-town Ohio.

Connect with Alyson Punzi:

Book: He Always Hears (Crossway)
Substack: substack.com/@alysonpunzi
Instagram: @alysonpunzi
Use my code ROSSREADS for 5% off any resource on Westminster Books website. Link to shop

Supporting Others Through Trauma with Darby Strickland Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, we sit down with Darby Strickland, author of When It's Trauma: A Biblical Guide to Understanding Trauma and Walking Faithfully with Sufferers. Darby shares her expertise on trauma from a Christian perspective and offers practical insights on how we can support those who have experienced trauma. Whether you’re a counselor, a friend, or someone who simply wants to understand trauma better, Darby’s wisdom will help you walk faithfully alongside those who are hurting.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

The biblical approach to understanding trauma and its effects.
How to recognize the signs of trauma, even when they’re not obvious.
Practical ways to support trauma sufferers with compassion and care.
The importance of offering Christ-centered support in the midst of pain.
How the local church can play a vital role in trauma recovery.
How to navigate the balance of spiritual encouragement and practical support.

Buy Darby’s Book:

When It's Trauma: A Biblical Guide to Understanding Trauma and Walking Faithfully with Sufferers

Use my code ROSSREADS for 5% off any resource on Westminster Books website. Link to shop

Counseling Resources:

Christian Counseling Education Foundation

Anchored Virtual

Fieldstone Counseling

Counseling Books - Access the full list here

Helping Kids Know and Love God’s Word with Hunter Beless Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Today I’m joined by author Hunter Beless, wife and mother of four, who is passionate about helping women and children know and love God—especially through His Word. You probably know her best as the founder and host of the Journeywomen Podcast, and she actively serves in her local church.

In today’s episode, we talk about her newest children’s book, Jesus Loves You More, and explore practical rhythms you can create at home and in everyday life to help your children know, understand, and love God’s Word. This conversation is full of encouragement and ideas parents can start using today.

Resources Mentioned:

For Kids & Families: