• How Do You Move On From Everything? with Karin Thompson
    Jul 7 2025
    What happens when the person meant to protect you becomes the one who wounds you the most?

    In this powerful episode of the Christian Readers Community Podcast, I sat down with author Karin to discuss the real-life, raw inspiration behind her first book. Karin courageously opens up about the deep emotional, psychological, and mental trauma she endured—pain inflicted not by a stranger, but by her own father.

    We talked about the years of silence, the hidden wounds, and how faith, healing, and storytelling helped her reclaim her voice. This isn’t just an interview—it’s a testimony of survival, restoration, and the God who lifts us from brokenness into purpose.

    If you’ve ever struggled with your past or wondered whether healing is truly possible, Karin’s story will speak directly to your heart.

    Here is the link to Karin's latest book: https://www.amazon.com/My-Best....
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    28 mins
  • Speaking Children's Languages as an Adult with Erin Mackey
    Jun 28 2025
    Join us for an inspiring conversation with acclaimed author Erin Mackey! In this episode, we dive into the world of children's literature and explore the journey of a passionate writer who has dedicated her life to helping kids fall in love with reading. Erin shares the story behind her eight published books and her upcoming ninth release, offering a glimpse into her creative process and the inspirations that drive her writing.

    With over 40 completed manuscripts under her belt, Erin has established herself as a prolific author who writes across various children's genres, from picture books to middle grade fiction and Young Adult novels. In our conversation, she opens up about her writing journey, the challenges she's faced, and the joys of bringing stories to life.

    Whether you're a mom looking for great books to share with your little ones, a fan of middle grade fiction, or a young adult reader eager for new stories, this episode is for you. Tune in to discover the magic of reading and the passion that drives Erin Mackey's writing.

    *About Erin Mackey*

    Erin Mackey is a dedicated author who loves helping kids develop a love for reading. She writes in various children's genres, including picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade fiction, and Young Adult fiction. With over 40 completed manuscripts and eight published books to date, Erin continues to develop new story ideas and share her passion for reading with her audience. When she's not writing, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her mischievous cats. Visit her website, erinmackeyauthor.com, to stay up-to-date on her latest books and adventures!
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    20 mins
  • The Journals That Spoke — A Conversation with Jan Johnson
    Jun 18 2025
    What if the words your husband left behind could change someone’s eternity—decades after he was gone?

    In this powerful episode of the Christian Readers Community Podcast, I sat down with author Jan Johnson to talk about her deeply personal memoir and her moving medical romance trilogy—but what unfolded during our conversation went far beyond storytelling.

    Jan shared the astonishing testimony of her late husband, Howard, a man of quiet faith whose handwritten journals sat unread for years—until one day, long after his passing, their son read them during a project. What happened next is something only God could orchestrate.

    We also talked about Jan’s journey through grief, the unexpected ways God brings beauty from ashes, and how real-life experiences shaped the emotion and faith behind her novels.

    If you’ve ever wondered how God moves through loss, legacy, and love—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. And trust me, there’s so much more waiting for you to unpack.

    About Jan Johnson

    Jan Johnson has been married to her husband Ed for 35 years. They live on a 26-acre farm where her husband raises sheep. Jan likes sheep- from a distance!
    They raised ten kiddos- yours, mine, ours and theirs and had five exchange students.
    Jan has taught everything from preschool to highschool and now that she's retired, fills her time with building relationships, writing and podcasting.
    Links:https://jan-johnson.com/
    https://justtalkingaboutjesus....
    https://www.amazon.com/stores/...
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    29 mins
  • The Widow Chose Red – A Story of Grief, Faith, and Fierce Love with Rachel Kerr Schneider
    May 29 2025
    What do you do when the life you built with the love of your life begins to unravel under the weight of terminal illness? And what does it mean to walk through grief while still holding on to faith, family, and identity?

    In this deeply moving episode of the Christian Readers Community Podcast, I sit down with author Rachel Kerr Schneider to talk about her powerful memoir, The Widow Chose Red. Rachel shares the raw, unfiltered story of loving her husband through his battle with ALS, raising their boys, and choosing red—yes, red—for his memorial service.

    We talk about her journey as a writer, what it means to grieve with hope, and how God used one of the hardest seasons of her life to reveal a deeper kind of joy and strength.

    This conversation is honest, emotional, and beautifully faith-filled. If you’ve ever wrestled with loss, caregiving, or finding your voice through pain, Rachel’s story will speak to your heart.

    Listen now

    ABOUT RACHEL KERR SCHNEIDER

    Since her husband died in 2011, Rachel’s faith continues to be challenged by widowhood, single parenting, a son with an addiction, relocation, relationships—a new husband, after ten years of long-distance dating, bonus mom to four girls who lost their mom to breast cancer, and becoming a YaYa, unexpectedly. Through it all, her reliance and relationship with Jesus has given her the resilience that only the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit can provide. Her mission is to remind women that they do, in fact, possess a super-power of their own in the form of the Holy Spirit which lives and breathes in each one of us.

    Rachel is a member of the National Association for Christian Women Entrepreneurs and BRI Talks. She enjoys travel, which is good, since her parents live in Melbourne, Australia. She is a graduate of Cottey College and holds a B.B.A. from Southern Methodist University. A southern gal at heart, she currently calls the Dallas area home.

    On a professional level, Rachel created Spirited Prosperity to provide support, encouragement, and inspiration for women seeking to grow their faith, with a special emphasis on their relationship with the Holy Spirit. Her work has included personal training with Patty Aubrey, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul, and Jack Canfield, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Ignite with Lisa Nichols, John Tesh’s All Access Coaching, and Platform with Michael Hyatt. As a Senior Regional Vice President for Partylite, she was a contributing author to the bestseller Build It Big and has trained and spoken with hundreds of women. Visit Rachel’s website at www.SpiritedProsperity.com
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    35 mins
  • Hope for Tomorrow with Author Vonnetta Mayo
    May 17 2025
    What happens when a childhood love for poetry, storytelling, and faith grows into a powerful voice in Christian historical fiction? You get someone like Vonnetta Mayo.

    In this episode of the Christian Readers Community Podcast, I had the joy of chatting with Vonnetta about her journey into writing—from growing up as the “word girl” who wrote poems for church conventions, to becoming the author of a gripping Civil War–era trilogy that blends history, heart, and hope.

    We talked about the inspiration behind her books, the emotional and spiritual layers in her storytelling, and what it’s like to bring forgotten parts of history to life through the lens of faith. Vonnetta also gave us a peek into what’s coming next in her writing journey—and let’s just say, you’ll want to keep an eye out.

    If you’ve ever dreamed of writing or love stories that touch both heart and soul, you’ll want to hit play on this one.

    About the Author
    Vonnetta Mayo was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Southern California. She then relocated to the Sunshine State, Florida. Afterward she lived in Morgantown, West Virginia, for two years. Then she moved to New Bremen, Ohio. Now she resides back in the Sunshine State, Florida.
    Vonnetta Mayo is the youngest of four children. At an early age, she aspired to become a writer. Vonnetta Mayo’s mother and father both were influential in her becoming a writer. She started writing poems for church conventions. As a teenager, Vonnetta Mayo won an essay contest and received a college scholarship. She minored in literature and writing at the University of California, San Diego. That is where her goal of becoming a writer emerged.
    Vonnetta Mayo loves God and attributes her inspiration for writing to God. She was raised in the church. That is where she acquired most of her teachings and beliefs. She believes in pursuing and never giving up on your dreams. Therefore, Vonnetta Mayo is the proud author of a trilogy, Joy in Sorrow, Hope for Tomorrow, Joy in Sorrow, Hope for Tomorrow: Homecoming, and Joy in Sorrow, Hope for Tomorrow: Reunion, and a memoir, Charlene Marshall: My Extraordinary Odyssey. Readers’ Favorite Five-Star Review Recipient and Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner Vonnetta Mayo thanks God for making her dream of becoming an author come true.

    You can reach Vonnetta at:


    : Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/author/...,
    Website, https://www.vonnettamayosbooks...

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vond...

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vonde...
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    24 mins
  • What Has Heidi Gray McGill Written on My Heart
    May 6 2025
    On this episode of the Christian Readers Community Podcast, I sit down with the warm and insightful Heidi Gray McGill, author of the best selling Discerning God's Best series.

    Heidi opens up about the heart behind her latest release, Written on My Heart, the spiritual truths that shaped it, and the deep historical research that brought 1870s Missouri to life. From her journey as a debut author to being the author of nine terrific novel , this episode is packed with wisdom, laughter, and faith.

    If you love stories rooted in purpose and grace, you don’t want to miss this heartfelt conversation. Tune in and discover what Heidi Gray McGill has written—not just in her book—but on the hearts of her readers.

    About the Author:

    Living in a quaint town near Charlotte, NC, Heidi shares her life with her devoted husband of over three decades. When she’s not crafting stories of grit and grace, she treasures moments with her family, especially her grandsons, and finds joy in cooking, playing games, and exploring new worlds through books.

    Join Heidi on her inspiring journey into the heart of the American frontier and beyond. Visit HeidiGrayMcGill.com to discover the transformative power of God’s love woven into her stories. Connect with her on social media and sign up for her newsletter to receive a free prequel to her bestselling series.

    Do you love audiobooks? Visit Heidi's YouTube channel to listen to her audiobook for free: https://youtube.com/@authorheidigraymcgill?si=OZ8DxqWxmptc_y1U.
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    37 mins
  • From Preacher to Thriller Author with Dan Walsh
    Apr 6 2025
    In this episode of the Christian Readers Community Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Dan Walsh — a former pastor turned bestselling Christian author. Dan shares the incredible story of how he pivoted from preaching to penning faith-filled thrillers and historical fiction, and how this unexpected journey has transformed his life and ministry.

    We also dive into how two of his powerful novels have been adapted into faith-based movies, the meticulous research that goes into his stories, and the incredible support and insight his wife brings to his writing process. Dan's journey is inspiring, heartfelt, and filled with wisdom for aspiring writers and readers alike.

    Be sure to check out his books on https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Wal... and visit his official website at https://www.danwalshbooks.com to explore more of his work.

    ---

    About Author Dan Walsh
    Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 29 faith-based novels (all available on Amazon), including The Unfinished Gift, Rescuing Finley, When Night Comes, and The Reunion (The Unfinished Gift and The Reunion will both soon be made into movies). Over 1.8 million copies of Dan's books are in print or downloaded. They've received over 65,000 Amazon Reviews (4.7 Star Avg). He's won both the Carol and Selah Awards multiple times, 4 of his novels have been finalists for RT Reviews Inspirational Novel of the Year.

    Reviewers often remark about Dan's rich, character-driven storylines and page-turning suspense (even with his inspirational books). He's been writing full-time since 2010. He and his wife Cindi have been married 48 years, have 2 grown children and 6 grandchildren. They live in the Daytona Beach area, where Dan grew up. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, read his blog, or preview all his books by visiting his website at www.danwalshbooks.com.
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    46 mins
  • Why I Was excited to Sign Up for Sarah Rexford's Waiting List
    Mar 22 2025
    What do you do when you hear about a writer so talented, so inspiring, that you immediately sign up for their waiting list? You bring them on your podcast, of course!

    In this fun and exciting episode, I sit down with Sarah Rexford—an incredible writer, editor, and coach—whose journey to publication is nothing short of amazing. From training under a 21-time New York Times bestselling author to landing endorsements from bestselling authors and catching the interest of the Big 5 editors, Sarah’s story is proof that dreams do come true.

    We talk about:
    - How an "accidental" writing conference changed her life
    - The most valuable lessons she learned from working with top-tier authors
    - Balancing fiction writing with editing, coaching, and SEO copywriting
    - And yes, her debut dystopian fiction!
    - What’s next for her—and why you should be excited, too!

    If you love books, writing, or just an inspiring success story, this is the episode for you. Tune in now and see why I couldn’t wait to get on Sarah’s list!




    About Sarah

    Sarah Rexford is an SEO Copywriter for thought leaders recognized by Forbes, The New York Times, and the United Nations, editor for a publisher in Manhattan, and runs a website for writers that brings in over 100k impressions. She speaks at conferences with keynoters such as Charles Martin and has placed Finalist in many writing contests. Editors at the Big 5 refer to her as “an undeniably talented writer” and her concept as “immediately intriguing.”

    Advance endorsements from bestselling authors:

    “Sarah Rexford’s debut novel signals the arrival of a talented new voice in dystopian fiction, delivering a gritty and emotionally resonant story that readers won’t forget.”
    —Kerk Murray, bestselling author of Since the Day We Danced
    “I’ve observed Sarah Rexford over the years study fiction writing techniques, practice what she learned, develop her social media platform, and engage with other writers and professionals in the writing industry. She will succeed because she doesn’t know the meaning of failure. Her passion for creating speculative fiction is an element every writer needs. I look forward to purchasing her books from an established retailer.”
    —DiAnn Mills, Christy Award Winner and bestselling author

    For more on her book, and to join the waiting list, go here:

    https://www.sarahjrexford.com/...
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    18 mins