Our Faith in Writing
Conversations about Writing and Faith
About the show
Our Faith in Writing explores the intersection of writing and faith through conversations about the writing process, the reading life, contemplative practices, and more.
Host Charlotte Donlon is a writer and a certified spiritual director for writers, and she believes writing and reading help us belong to ourselves, others, God, and the world.
Visit us online at ourfaithinwriting.com where you can find information about Charlotte Donlon's spiritual direction for writers and other contemplative offerings, read essays and articles by writers who care about faith, and learn more about Our Faith in Writing partners and sponsors.
Subscribe to Our Faith in Writing wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to rate and review the show letting us know how these conversations are helping you feel less alone in your writing life and your reading life.
Charlotte Donlon is a writer, a spiritual director for writers, and the founder and host of the Our Faith in Writing podcast and website. Charlotte’s writing and work are rooted in noticing how art helps us belong to ourselves, others, God, and the world. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. Her first book is The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. You can subscribe to her newsletter and connect with her onTwitter and Instagram.
Our Faith in Writing on social media
Episodes
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Episode 14: The Contemplative Life: An Audio Essay on How Observing Advent Makes Me Feel Less Alone
November 28th, 2021 | 14 mins 30 secs
advent, advent 2021, art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
Following the rituals of the church calendar help me belong and remind me that my life is part of the larger story of God’s creation, redemption, and restoration.
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Episode 13: Ashley M. Jones & Kaveh Akbar on Reparations Now! and Belonging through Poetry
September 11th, 2021 | 35 mins 44 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, ashley m. jones, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, kaveh akbar, our faith in writing, reading, reparations now, writing and faith, writing life
Ashley M. Jones and Kaveh Akbar join host Charlotte Donlon to discuss Ashley's new book of poems, Reparations Now! and belonging through poetry.
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Episode 12: Kaveh Akbar & Ashley M. Jones on Pilgrim Bell and Belonging through Poetry Part Two
September 11th, 2021 | 38 mins 28 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, ashley m. jones, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, kaveh akbar, our faith in writing, pilgrim bell, reading, writing and faith, writing life
Kaveh Akbar and Ashley M. Jones join host Charlotte Donlon for a conversation about Kaveh’s newest book of poems, Pilgrim Bell which is available now wherever books are sold. Kaveh and Ashley discussed a few of Kaveh’s poems from Pilgrim Bell, explored how poems help us feel connected to our loved ones who have died, shared what it’s like to write about their parents, and more. The three also talked about how writing and reading help us belong to ourselves, others, the world, and the divine.
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Episode 11: Kaveh Akbar & Ashley M. Jones on Pilgrim Bell and Belonging through Poetry Part One
September 11th, 2021 | 35 mins 45 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, ashley m. jones, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, kaveh akbar, our faith in writing, pilgrim bell, reading, writing and faith, writing life
Kaveh Akbar and Ashley M. Jones join Charlotte for a conversation about Kaveh’s newest book of poems, Pilgrim Bell which is available now wherever books are sold. Kaveh and Ashley discussed a few of Kaveh’s poems from Pilgrim Bell, explored how poems help us feel connected to our loved ones who have died, shared what it’s like to write about their parents, and more. The three also talked about how writing and reading help us belong to ourselves, others, the world, and the divine.
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Episode 10: Art and Faith with Chandra White-Cummings Part Three
September 11th, 2021 | 20 mins 34 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, chandra white-cummings, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
In the third episode of Our Faith in Writing with Chandra White-Cummings, host Charlotte Donlon and Chandra discuss ways films, TV shows, and actors help Chandra feel less alone and how those who make art should engage different forms of art. Chandra also talks about the healing power of laughter and joy that comes from watching shows like Queen Sugar and Black-ish. Charlotte also gives a shoutout to Blaire Erskine and her hilarious Instagram videos. Chandra also talks about the ways Black women are inspiring her in her creative work.
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Episode 9: Art and Faith with Chandra White-Cummings Part Two
September 11th, 2021 | 32 mins 7 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, chandra white-cummings, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
In this second episode of Our Faith in Writing with Chandra White-Cummings, host Charlotte Donlon and Chandra discuss different ways art affects Chandra and her writing and her other work as a trauma healing facilitator and trainer. They also discuss some of the ways art and faith intersect in her trauma work with Black women.
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Episode 8: Racism in Christian Publishing with Chandra White-Cummings
September 11th, 2021 | 42 mins 30 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, chandra white-cummings, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
In the first Our Faith in Writing episode with Chandra White-Cummings, host Charlotte Donlon and Chandra discuss racism in Christian publishing. Chandra asks several questions for those inside the Christian publishing spaces to consider, and for the rest of us to consider, too.
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Episode 7: Art and Mothering with Catherine Ricketts
September 11th, 2021 | 49 mins 4 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, art and mothering, catherine ricketts, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
In this episode of Our Faith in Writing, Charlotte Donlon talks to Catherine Ricketts about mothering and making art and how each of those things affect the other. An essay Ricketts wrote for the Ploughshares website is one jumping off point for their conversation. That piece is "The Maternal Vision of Leslie Jamison and Marilynne Robinson." They also discuss the artwork of Alice Neel and Becky Suss, why mother artists inspire Cat’s writing, and more.
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Episode 6: When Jesus Shows Up in Popular Music with Delvyn Case
September 11th, 2021 | 1 hr 7 mins
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, delvyn case, faith, jesus in popular music, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
In this episode, Charlotte Donlon talks to Delvyn Case about some of the ways Jesus shows up in popular music. They discuss rap, punk, and country music artists and how Jesus is acknowledged in their music.
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Episode 5: A Conversation with Poet Ashley M. Jones
September 11th, 2021 | 1 hr 25 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, ashley m. jones, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, our faith in writing, poetry and faith, reading, writing and faith, writing life
Host Charlotte Donlon talks to poet Ashley M. Jones about her writing life, her faith, and more.
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Episode 4: Aarik Danielsen and Nine of His Favorite Sad Songs
September 11th, 2021 | 15 mins 6 secs
aarik danielson writer, art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, music, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
Aarik Danielson shares a list of nine of his favorite sad songs and talks for nine-ish minutes about a few songs from his list. Please note: Our two audio files were recorded separately and there's a bit of a layering effect here and there but I'm not doing any editing so it is what it is. I don't think it's too annoying and hopefully you won't either.
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Episode 3: Food, Belonging, Rory, and Lorelai
September 11th, 2021 | 16 mins 1 sec
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, food and belonging, food and faith, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
In this episode, Charlotte Donlon discusses Gilmore Girls food moments and a few ideas about food, art, and faith.
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Episode 2: Andrew Graney and Nine of His Favorite Poems
September 11th, 2021 | 15 mins 3 secs
andrew graney, andrew graney poet, art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, favorite poems, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life
Andrew Graney shares a list of nine of his favorite poems and talks for nine-ish minutes about a few poems from his list.
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Episode 1: Welcome from Charlotte Donlon—Host, Writer, and Spiritual Director for Writers
September 11th, 2021 | 5 mins 24 secs
art, art and faith, art and faith unplugged, charlotte donlon, charlotte donlon writer, contemplative practice, faith, our faith in writing, reading, writing and faith, writing life