Good Books Big Questions

NavPress
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Welcome to Good Books Big Questions: Bold, Loving, and Sensible Conversations About Faith No one ducks the tough questions about faith on this show. Not the host and not the guests. If you’re disillusioned, doubting, discovering faith, or if you simply want a safe space to dig into some big questions you’ve had for a while, you will find good company here.  You’ll discover thoughtful, honest, and civil conversations about the issues that keep us up at night. Also, the occasional laugh – and a level of honesty that helps us all keep our faith alive.  Good Books Big Questions is a NavPress podcast where conversations about books open the door to bigger conversations about life and faith. Together with NavPress authors, we dive into questions like: What does it mean to truly trust God? How can we worship alongside people who think and vote differently than we do? Where do we find joy in the midst of trauma and suffering? How do we get past easy answers and formulas of faith and think about how to navigate some of the toughest stuff in life and still believe in Jesus?  Hosted by Karen Stiller—author of Holiness Here: Finding God in the Ordinary Events of Everyday Life (NavPress, 2024) and The Minister’s Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Doubt, Friendship, Loneliness, Forgiveness and More (Tyndale House, 2020, and an author known for her transparency —this podcast invites you into bold, sensible and loving conversations.  Each conversation blends thoughtful book discussion with big, timeless questions of Christian faith and spiritual growth. About the Host Karen Stiller is the author of Holiness Here, The Minister’s Wife, and co-author of Craft, Cost & Call: How to Build a Life as a Christian Writer. She is a writing coach, teacher, freelance editor, and longtime journalist whose work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Christianity Today, The Walrus, Ekstasis, and more. For 22 years she served as an editor of Faith Today magazine and hosted the Faith Today podcast. Karen has traveled to South Sudan, Uganda, Senegal, Cambodia, and across North America reporting on stories of the Church around the world. She has moderated debates on faith and society at the University of Toronto and holds an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction from the University of King’s College. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in the Sacred Art of Writing at Western Seminary. Living in Ottawa, Ontario, Karen brings curiosity, compassion, and candor to every conversation. Please follow, rate and review Good Books Big Questions wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for bold, loving, and sensible conversations about faith. Email us here with your feedback. We'd love to hear what you think.

  1. 3d ago

    Ever run away from your screaming kids to lock yourself in the bathroom? | Janel Breitenstein

    You're not alone. Author Janel Breitenstein says emotionally healthy parents can raise spiritually resilient kids. We can worry less about what feels like chaos at home and pay more attention to what God is forming in the mess. Watch unabridged episodes on Youtube here. In Janel’s book, Emotionally Strong(ish) Parenting, she writes with compassion and honesty about the reality of anger and how to "trade it for peacemaking." Can that still include the occasional yell from Mom or Dad? Actually, yes. And lots of mistakes and messy apologies? Of course! This conversation is full of confessions, a little absolution, and practical advice. Learn some of the warning signs of anger, and simple things that help, like holding a few ice cubes in your hands. Janel Breitenstein is a mom, missionary, international speaker, and author or contributor to more than sixteen published works. Her Scripture-focused writing, grounded in real life, builds an honest and intimate connection with her readers. She and her husband have four kids and live in Colorado. You can find her having uncomfortable, important conversations as "The Awkward Mom" at JanelBreitenstein.com. Visit GoodBooksBigQuestions.com to catch up on all our episodes. Please let us know what you think of the show. Our email address is goodbooksbigquestions@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow, rate and review the show. The views and opinions expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the positions of NavPress or The Navigators. Good Books, Big Questions Podcast | Season 3, Episode 4

    Ever run away from your screaming kids to lock yourself in the bathroom? | Janel Breitenstein

  2. Oct 19

    Discrimination and death threats led her to friendship with God | Tanya Godsey

    “Impossible situations position us for intimacy with God,” writes author and Nashville singer-songwriter Tanya Godsey. Her family’s experience establishing a church for Mexican migrant workers in a small Texas town taught her that lesson from an early age. In this crucible of Tanya’s origin story, a passion for befriending God was born. Watch unabridged episodes on Youtube here. In her book, Befriending God: How We Are Undone, Changed, and Made New, Tanya writes about what friendship with God can look like, and how we can cooperate with God in the midst of suffering to become more Christ-like. Are you feeling distant from God? Are hard times driving you further from God rather than closer? This book and this conversation invite you into an authentic and transformative relationship with the One who loves you. Tanya Godsey is a singer-songwriter, author, speaker, spiritual formation director, ordained minister, and Founder of Redeeming the Story. She is also the host of The Unforced Gifts podcast. Tanya has released four critically acclaimed albums, with a fifth on the way in 2027.  Visit GoodBooksBigQuestions.com to catch up on all our episodes. We love to hear your feedback at goodbooksbigquestions@gmail.com And don't forget to follow, rate and review the show. The views and opinions expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the positions of NavPress or The Navigators. Good Books, Big Questions Podcast | Season 3, Episode 3  Credits: Producer: Margot Linke Publisher of NavPress: David Zimmerman Expert audio advice and graphic design: Jean-Sebastien Villeneuve  Theme music: Alex Mastronardi, Pond5

    Discrimination and death threats led her to friendship with God | Tanya Godsey

  3. Oct 12

    In a world that never stops, can you be still and present with God? | Brian Heasley

    Are you a quiet time drop out? Or maybe you've never tried setting aside a few deliberate moments each day to focus on God, and to experience God's smile upon you. Brian Heasley, author of Be Still: A Simple Guide to Quiet Times, says that God does smile when we turn our attention to Him. Watch unabridged episodes on Youtube. In his book, newly published by NavPress and by 24-7 Prayer in 2021, Brian not only offers a practical guide to establishing and sticking to a routine of quiet times, he also helps readers understand the built-in benefits that follow. "What happens in the chair shouldn't stay in the chair," he writes. What does that mean for our lives? And if we're praying in that chair, what if our prayers don't seem to work? How does doubt and all our big questions play into this conversation? Brian Heasley does not back away from the big, tough questions. And sometimes, there just aren't easy answers. Brian Heasley serves as 24-7 Prayer's International Prayer Director. 24-7 is the organization that created the popular Lectio 365 app. He has served as a global ambassador for Thy Kingdom Come, an initiative of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is also a trustee of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a charity working in the area of Freedom of Religious Belief. Visit GoodBooksBigQuestions.com to catch up on all our episodes. We love to hear your feedback at goodbooksbigquestions@gmail.com And don't forget to follow, rate and review the show. The views and opinions expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the positions of NavPress or The Navigators.

    In a world that never stops, can you be still and present with God? | Brian Heasley

  4. Oct 5

    Can you still believe in the midst of depression and despair? | Jean Neely

    "We can rest in the fact that Christ is never scandalized by our despair, or alarmed to find us sunk in the abyss," writes Jean Neely. "For Christ the deep ocean trenches are neither forbidden nor catastrophic. They're just another location in God's vast, mercy-filled cosmos." Watch unabridged episodes on Youtube here. Jean Neely has lived in the ambiguity of believing God is present wherever we find ourselves, but sometimes not feeling that presence. Shocked by a manic-depressive diagnosis as a teenager, Jean went on to experience both the good and the not-so-good response of an evangelical subculture that is not always comfortable with mental unwellness. What if God doesn't heal? And what if that's also completely acceptable? Jean's book, Christ in the Abyss, tenderly presents an alternative to "healing-only" faith narratives. There is room for those whose emotional suffering remains unresolved. Faith is possible and can live on, even in prolonged struggle. Jean L. Neely, PhD, is a Korean American writer and a writing instructor at Azusa Pacific University. She has degrees in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Irvine and the Sorbonne University in Paris, and a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Southern California. Jean writes regularly on issues of mental health and faith for Faith & Leadership, a resource from the Duke Divinity School for Christian leaders. She has also written for Sojourners, Inheritance Magazine, the Asian American Christian Collaborative, and Christians for Social Action. She has been active in InterVarsity's Graduate & Faculty ministry for many years and has taught seminars on navigating intersections of faith, spiritual formation, and mental health at faculty retreats and other ministry settings.  We love to hear your feedback at goodbooksbigquestions@gmail.com. And don't forget to follow, rate and review the show. The views and opinions expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the positions of NavPress or The Navigators.

    Can you still believe in the midst of depression and despair? | Jean Neely

  5. Season 3 Trailer

    Season 3 Trailer

    Eight new episodes of Good Books Big Questions are coming your way starting October 5th. We have some great, honest conversations lined up you for with NavPress authors including Jean Neely, Brian Heasley, Tanya Godsey, Wayne Francis, Janel Breitenstein, Liz Daye, Bill Mowry, and Anna Broadway. We dig into everything from finding God in the midst of mental illness and impossible situations, to doubt, unanswered prayer, sexuality, and parenting. You can now watch unabridged episodes here on Youtube. Check out Season 1 and 2 videos now. Season 3 videos will drop on Youtube along with the audio podcasts each Monday.

  6. Jun 8

    Good news about Good Books Big Questions

    We have two exciting updates for you. Our podcast is now on Youtube. You can watch 14 unabridged episodes from Season 1 and 2 on the NavPress Youtube channel. We go even deeper on topics such as self care; getting along with people who disagree with us; wrestling with honest questions about faith; and searching for God when life gets really hard. Also, Season 3 is in the works!  More good books, big questions and great conversations with NavPress authors are coming your way this fall 2026.  If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on whatever platform you're using. It helps others find us.

  7. Apr 27

    Why Some Books Stay With Us Forever | Caitlyn Carlson, Olivia Eldredge

    In our last episode of Season 2, we take you to the 2026 Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In amongst the book tables and hubbub, host Karen Stiller sat down with NavPress editors Caitlyn Carlson and Olivia Eldredge to talk about how book ideas are selected (Spoiler: it’s not about platform); why NavPress leans into the harder questions of faith; and what makes a book successful. And the answer to that question might surprise you.  Caitlyn Carlson is a senior acquisitions editor at NavPress. Olivia Eldredge is the editor for Eugene H. Peterson’s Message Bible line at NavPress. Visit GoodBooksBigQuestions.com to catch up on all our episodes. Please let us know what you think of the show. Our email address is goodbooksbigquestions@gmail.com And don’t forget to follow, rate and review us. The views and opinions expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the positions of NavPress or The Navigators.

    Why Some Books Stay With Us Forever | Caitlyn Carlson, Olivia Eldredge

  8. Apr 20

    You Can’t Just ‘Move On’ From Trauma | Mary DeMuth

    “An untold story never heals. It just festers.” That’s one of the big motivations Mary DeMuth offers us for reexamining and then sharing our life stories with each other. In her 2026 book Restory Your Life: How Jesus Reframes Your Past, Rewrites Your Present, and Redefines Your Future, DeMuth invites readers to use storytelling techniques, such as conflict, climax, and denouement – a fancy word for conclusion – to help us sort through the past and find God in the midst of it all. In sharing our stories, she says, we end up helping each other and deepening our friendships. Watch unabridged episodes on Youtube here. Mary DeMuth is the author of more than 50 books. She is a literary agent, international speaker, and host of the Pray Every Day podcast. Visit GoodBooksBigQuestions.com to catch up on all our episodes. Please let us know what you think of the show. Our email address is goodbooksbigquestions@gmail.com And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the show. The views and opinions expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the positions of NavPress or The Navigators.

    You Can’t Just ‘Move On’ From Trauma | Mary DeMuth
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About

Welcome to Good Books Big Questions: Bold, Loving, and Sensible Conversations About Faith No one ducks the tough questions about faith on this show. Not the host and not the guests. If you’re disillusioned, doubting, discovering faith, or if you simply want a safe space to dig into some big questions you’ve had for a while, you will find good company here.  You’ll discover thoughtful, honest, and civil conversations about the issues that keep us up at night. Also, the occasional laugh – and a level of honesty that helps us all keep our faith alive.  Good Books Big Questions is a NavPress podcast where conversations about books open the door to bigger conversations about life and faith. Together with NavPress authors, we dive into questions like: What does it mean to truly trust God? How can we worship alongside people who think and vote differently than we do? Where do we find joy in the midst of trauma and suffering? How do we get past easy answers and formulas of faith and think about how to navigate some of the toughest stuff in life and still believe in Jesus?  Hosted by Karen Stiller—author of Holiness Here: Finding God in the Ordinary Events of Everyday Life (NavPress, 2024) and The Minister’s Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Doubt, Friendship, Loneliness, Forgiveness and More (Tyndale House, 2020, and an author known for her transparency —this podcast invites you into bold, sensible and loving conversations.  Each conversation blends thoughtful book discussion with big, timeless questions of Christian faith and spiritual growth. About the Host Karen Stiller is the author of Holiness Here, The Minister’s Wife, and co-author of Craft, Cost & Call: How to Build a Life as a Christian Writer. She is a writing coach, teacher, freelance editor, and longtime journalist whose work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Christianity Today, The Walrus, Ekstasis, and more. For 22 years she served as an editor of Faith Today magazine and hosted the Faith Today podcast. Karen has traveled to South Sudan, Uganda, Senegal, Cambodia, and across North America reporting on stories of the Church around the world. She has moderated debates on faith and society at the University of Toronto and holds an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction from the University of King’s College. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in the Sacred Art of Writing at Western Seminary. Living in Ottawa, Ontario, Karen brings curiosity, compassion, and candor to every conversation. Please follow, rate and review Good Books Big Questions wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for bold, loving, and sensible conversations about faith. Email us here with your feedback. We'd love to hear what you think.

Information

  • Creator
    NavPress
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Good Books Big Questions

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