Bookish Talks with Lia

Latest Episodes:

Healing from Childhood Wounds with Julie Busler Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Julie shares her story of childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and grief—and how learning to lament became the pathway from sorrow to hope. Through Scripture and her personal journey, she reminds us that it’s okay to bring our pain before God and that healing often begins when we do.

We talk about:

How childhood experiences shape the way we relate to God and others
What emotional neglect looks like and how it impacts faith
Practical steps to face past pain, build hope, and break unhealthy patterns
How the church can support those who have experienced childhood wounds
Listener questions on trusting God when earthly love has failed and how to grieve without shame

Julie also shares about the inspiration behind her book, the hardest chapters to write, and what she hopes readers walk away with.

Resources & Links

Julie Busler, Hopeful Sorrow: Turning to God in Hope When Childhood Wounds Have You Turning Away

Teaching Girls True Beauty and Identity with Laura Wifler Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Today I’m chatting with Laura Wifler, a wife, mother, and founder of The KidLit Lab, where she helps authors create true, beautiful, and helpful picture books that children will return to again and again. Many of you know her from her previous ministry, Risen Motherhood, and today we’re talking about her newest picture book, Your Worth Never Wavers: Discover True Beauty as a Girl Made by God.

In this episode, Laura and I dive into how we can help the girls in our lives grow up with a secure sense of worth and identity—not chasing cultural standards of beauty, but resting in the truth that they are made in God’s image.

She shares insights from her book, practical ways parents can start conversations with daughters about identity and worth.

If you’re looking for guidance on talking with girls about body image, identity, and confidence rooted in how God created us, this episode is for you.

Purchase your copy of Your Worth Never Waivers

Connect with Laura:

Wesbite: laurawifler.com

Instagram: @laurawifler

Substack: Laura Wifler

Connect with Lia:
Bookstagram: @liarossreads

Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

Meeting God in the Midst of Anxiety with Blair Linne Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting—but it doesn’t have to keep us from experiencing God’s peace. In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by Blair Linne—Bible teacher, author, spoken word artist, and co-leader of the Family Worship Micro Conference with her husband, Shai. Blair’s new book, Made to Tremble: How Anxiety Became the Best Thing That Ever Happened to My Faith (Sept 2025), shares her journey through crippling anxiety and panic attacks, and how God met her in the middle of fear.

Blair opens up about the challenges and lessons of walking through anxiety, the Scriptures that anchored her, and how her faith deepened in unexpected ways. We also talk about her upcoming children’s book, Yara the Brave and the Swirling Worry, and the importance of teaching kids how to navigate fear with God’s help.

Whether you’re wrestling with anxiety yourself or walking alongside someone who is, this conversation offers encouragement, practical insight, and a reminder that God is present—even in the midst of trembling.

In this episode, you’ll hear Blair share:

How anxiety became part of her story and faith journey
What a panic attack actually feels like—and what helped her through them
The Scriptures and practices that brought peace in the middle of fear
Why she wrote a children’s book about anxiety and what she hopes kids take away
Books that have shaped her faith and theology

Trusting the Savior Who Stays the Same with Courtney Reissig Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I sit down with Courtney Reissig, author of Someone to Believe In: Embracing the Savior Who Stays the Same When Everything Else Changes. Courtney shares her journey of faith through seasons of doubt, burnout, and disappointment—and how she learned to trust the unchanging nature of Jesus even when everything else in life feels uncertain.

We dive into:

The story behind her book and what inspired her to write it
How to navigate feelings of hurt when spiritual leaders let us down
Encouragement for walking with Jesus when it feels easier to walk away
Finding hope in the One who never changes

Whether you’re facing doubt, navigating spiritual disappointment, or just need a reminder of God’s steadfast love, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical wisdom for every season of faith.

Book Mentioned: Someone to Believe In: Embracing the Savior Who Stays the Same When Everything Else Changes by Courtney Reissig Buy here | Grab your copy

Connect with Courtney Reissig

Tune in and get encouraged to trust Jesus when everything else changes.

Connect with Lia:
Bookstagram: @liarossreads

Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

Reflecting God’s Impartial Love with Oghosa Iyamu Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by Oghosa Iyamu, author of her first Bible study, Forever Welcomed: A Study on God’s Impartial Love for All. We dive into the heart of God’s impartial love, how it’s displayed in Scripture in passages like James 2, and what it means for us and how we live.

Oghosa shares what inspired her to write this study, how the Bible guided her message, and practical ways we can reflect God’s impartial love in our everyday lives. Whether you’re exploring this study on your own or with a group, there’s so much encouragement and insight in this conversation.

If you enjoyed our discussion today, be sure to check out our previous episode, Crafting Christian Content with Purpose, where we explore creating content that inspires and uplifts.

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts

Order your copy of Forever Welcomed here

Connect with Oghosa:
Instagram: @oghosaiiyamu

Threads: @oghosaiiyamu

For more about Oghosa’s work, visit her official website: oghosaiyamu.com

Connect with Lia:
Bookstagram: @liarossreads

Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

 Counseling with Biblical Truth and Hope with Rebekah Hannah of Anchored Virtual  Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

When life feels overwhelming, where do you turn for help? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by Rebekah Hannah, a biblical counselor and the founder of Anchored Virtual, to talk about what biblical counseling really is, why it matters, and how God’s Word offers anchored hope for the struggles we all face.

Rebekah shares her own story of following Jesus and how the Lord led her into biblical counseling. We talk through common misconceptions Christians may have about counseling, how to know when it’s time to seek help, and why Scripture is sufficient and essential for navigating life’s hardest seasons.

You’ll also hear the heart behind Anchored Virtual, a ministry providing accessible, Christ-centered counseling, and Rebekah’s practical encouragement for anyone feeling unsure if counseling is the next step.

What We Talk About in This Episode:

Rebekah’s testimony and how she became a biblical counselor
What makes biblical counseling distinct from other approaches
Misconceptions Christians often have about counseling
How to know when it’s time to seek biblical counseling
The importance of God’s Word in facing real struggles
Navigating the extremes of “just pray about it” vs. fully secular therapy
The vision and work of Anchored Virtual
Book recommendations for Christian readers and those exploring counseling
Encouragement for listeners who feel weary or unsure if counseling is for them

Connect with Rebekah Hannah + Anchored Virtual:

Instagram: @anchoredvirtual
Website: anchoredvirtual.com

Connect with Lia:

Bookstagram: @liarossreads
Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

Holding on to God in Seasons of Suffering with Vaneetha Risner Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

What do we do when hope feels out of reach? How do we cling to God in the long nights of suffering and waiting?

In this conversation, I’m joined by author and speaker Vaneetha Risner, who has walked through profound suffering—chronic illness, loss, and divorce—and yet continues to point us to Christ as the source of lasting hope. We talk about her newest book, Watching for the Morning: 90 Devotionals for When Hope Is Hard to Find, and the heart behind writing for those who feel weary, unseen, or stuck in the waiting.

Vaneetha shares honestly about lament, the importance of holding both grief and laughter, and how she has learned to be satisfied in God alone. She also offers encouragement for anyone who feels distant from God or unsure of how to bring their doubts and pain before Him.

Grab your coffee or tea and join us for this heartfelt and hope-filled episode.

Books by Vaneetha Risner

Connect with VaneethaWebsite: www.vaneetha.comInstagram: @vaneetharisner

Connect with Lia:Bookstagram: @liarossreads

Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

Walking Through Miscarriage with Brittany Lee Allen Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by author Brittany Lee Allen to discuss her deeply personal and hopeful book, Lost Gifts: Miscarriage, Grief, and the God of All Comfort. Brittany shares her story of losing three babies to miscarriage, the pain and confusion she faced, and how she found God’s comfort in the midst of her grief.

We explore what it means to grieve openly in a culture that often overlooks miscarriage, how the Church can better support families walking through loss, and practical ways you can care for someone who is grieving. Brittany also offers wisdom and encouragement for anyone impacted by miscarriage or wanting to learn how to journey alongside others in sorrow.

If you’ve experienced miscarriage or want to grow in compassion and understanding, this episode is for you.

A note: At one point in the episode, I misspoke in a way that might have suggested women who experience miscarriage are not mothers. I want to affirm clearly that even though their children are not here on earth, they are very much mothers, and their grief is real and valid.

Books Mentioned:

Lost Gifts: Miscarriage, Grief, and the God of All Comfort by Brittany Lee Allen
We Shall All Be Changed by Whitney Pipkin
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Connect with Brittany:
Follow Brittany and learn more about her work at brittleeallen.com and subscribe to her Treasuring Christ newsletter on Substack.

Connect with Lia:
Bookstagram: @liarossreads

Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139 with Glenna Marshall Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Glenna Marshall to talk about her newest book, Known & Loved: Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139. You’ve probably heard the verse “fearfully and wonderfully made,” but Glenna invites us to go deeper.

In this rich and honest conversation, we talk about what it means to be fully known and deeply loved by God. Glenna shares how Psalm 139 has shaped her faith, especially through seasons of suffering, and how Scripture helps anchor us in the truth of God’s affection.

If you’ve ever struggled to believe that God’s love is personal and present in your life, this episode will encourage your heart.

In This Episode:

Glenna’s journey of how she started writing
The story behind Known & Loved and who she wrote it for
Why Psalm 139 speaks to our deepest questions about being seen and known
The impact of suffering on Glenna’s view of God’s love
Favorite chapters and verses that stood out while writing
How Scripture continues to shape Glenna’s life
A few fun rapid-fire questions to wrap up

Books by Glenna Marshall:

Known & Loved: Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139
The Promise is His Presence
Everyday Faithfulness
Memorizing Scripture
Praying In Pain (Coming soon)

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

Connect with Glenna Marshall:
Website: glennamarshall.com
Instagram: @glennadmarshall

Connect with Lia Ross:
Bookstagram: @liarossreads

Instagram: @bookishtalkspodcast

Embracing God’s Strength in Our Weakness with Christine Hoover Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

What if your weakness wasn’t something to hide, but the very place God wants to show His strength? In this episode of Bookish Talks with Lia, I’m joined by Bible teacher and author Christine Hoover to talk about her new Bible study, More Than Enough: God’s Strength in Our Weakness in 2 Corinthians.

Christine shares how 2 Corinthians speaks directly to our struggles with inadequacy, and how God's power meets us right where we are. We talk about ministry life, cultural messages of self-sufficiency, and how spiritual maturity often begins with surrender. This conversation is full of encouragement, truth, and hope for anyone who has ever felt not enough.

So grab your coffee or tea and let’s get started!

In This Episode:

Christine’s story of coming to Christ and becoming a Bible teacher
Why 2 Corinthians is especially powerful for today’s believers
What Scripture really says about weakness and why it matters
How God's strength shows up in our everyday struggles
Encouragement for those who feel inadequate or overwhelmed
A simple practice Christine uses to stay rooted in God's Word
What spiritual maturity looks like and how to grow in it

Resources and Links:
📖 More Than Enough Bible Study
To connect with Christine, visit christinehoover.net or follow her on Instagram @christinehoover98

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

Embracing God’s Strength in Our Weakness with Christine Hoover

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