Table Of (mal)contents

Work travel is often challenging, but one benefit of it is going to conferences is that I have the opportunity to chat with writers who don't often come to Nashville. During the Super Bowl last week, Dave and I sat down to chat with Jen Wilkin, who is one of the best theologically-minded writers I know and a whole lot of fun to hang out with. Listen in as we discuss: What Jen really thinks about Super Bowl Sunday Jen's sci-fi street cred What recommending a book can mean What happened when I (Aaron) watched Les Miserables Why classic (serialized) novels might need to be edited for modern readers What more theologically-minded Christians need to keep in mind about reading What might motivate someone to write a memoir Reading while writing a Bible study All as we listen to smooth jazz and shouts of excitement about whatever's going on in the Super Bowl from the Hilton in downtown Minneapolis. This episode is sponsored by Gospel-Centered Discipleship. On April 13th, GCD will host their 2020 Writer's

One of my favorite people to interview is Andrew Peterson. He's been on the show once before (in its previous incarnation), and he's a great guy to talk books, music, and theology with. Well, today I have some good news: Andrew joined Dave and me in the studio to talk creativity, music, books, and his beef with J.J. Abrams. Listen in to hear: Where to get the best burrito in Nashville The difference between writing a song, a fantasy/adventure story, and a memoir The best advice to people who want to write but think they don't have the time Andrew’s love of Victorian era ghost stories What happened when Andrew and his wife thought they saw a UFO Two theologians who are fans of murder mysteries What’s happening with The Wingfeather Saga in 2020 A few of the books we mentioned on this episode: Adoring the Dark and The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee English History Made Brief, Irre

Dave and I are back in the studio, and we've brought along a friend—Joel J. Miller, Chief Content Officer of Michael Hyatt & Company. Dave and Joel are old pals, having worked together at another publisher back in the day, so listen in as they reminisce, while discuss: Joel's career in publishing (and what he misses from his time in the industry) One of the authors Joel really regrets working with (but it's cool for him to share this since the dude he mentions went to jail for defrauding his congregation) What are some good books to read to help someone understand the Eastern Orthodox faith Joel's near-encounter with Owen Wilson What were the most controversial and/or fun books Joel worked on The resurgence of the library The importance of editors Our hot takes on Star Wars Plus, a challenge for our listeners: One of you needs to find a copy of this movie and send it to Dave. (Send it to us via work: 1 LifeWay Plaza, Nashville TN, 37234) This episode is sponsored by our friends at Useful Group. W

Today, we're offering a special Dave-less bonus episode featuring our friend Nick Rynerson. Nick was in town on business, and we decided that we should to something amazing: we should go to McKay's, one of my favorite bookstores! Get ready for the weirdest episode we may have ever done as we: Offer hot takes on books we see Recommend books for one another Describe our approaches to bookstore browsing Search for David Foster Wallace books and other titles Nick can't remember Get a totally off-brand book for Dave that he has to read (because it's a gift, and it would be bad form to do otherwise) All while wondering how long it's going to be before someone kicks us out. A few of the books we mentioned on this episode: Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson The Crown Jewels by Walter Jon Williams Island in the Sea of Time by S. M. Stirling Ex Machina Vol. 1 by Brian K Vaughn & Tony Harris (note: this book is intended for adult readers only) Commonwealth by Anne Patchett Infinite Jest by David Foste

What's my problem with the weird books that tell men how to be men? Bill Delvaux joins Dave and me in the studio to talk books for men, faith, and gender stereotypes (a little). Listen in as we discuss: What I (Aaron) really thinks ofWild at Heart How guys use busyness as a way to avoid having to deal with personal issues The problem with most books directed toward men Our fascination with Jeff Goldblum and Nicholas Cage How mythical stories can help us better understand our wiring as men This episode is sponsored by our friends at Useful Group. Whether you’re looking for a new website, or need help developing your marketing strategy, they want to be useful to you. Learn more at usefulgroup.com. A few of the books we mentioned on this episode: Heroic by Bill Delvaux Lilith, Phantastes, and The Golden Key by George MacDonald The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Aimee Byrd Sharing and supporting the show Leave a five-star rating and r

Nancy Guthrie, who is already in the running for best guest ever after last episode, returns for another round of talking books, banter, and throwing shade at Dave (well, actually at me, but I like to pretend it was directed at Dave). Listen in as we talk: Why it's taken us so long to have her on the show Why we like having guests in-studio instead of joining via teleconference If/when one of us will be invited onto Nancy's podcast, Help Me Teach the Bible The story behind Nancy's upcoming book, Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus Why women need to be deeply engaged in Bible study Who or what Nancy nominates for this week's Jack Reacher Sucker Punch of the Week This episode is sponsored by our friends at Useful Group. Whether you’re looking for a new website, or need help developing your marketing strategy, they want to be useful to you. Learn more at usefulgroup.com. A few of the books we mentioned on this episode: Mortification of Sin by John Owen The Reformed Pastor by Richard

At long last, Nancy Guthrie joins us in the studio this week! Nancy is a Bible teacher, host of Help Me Teach the Bible, and the author of many books, including the upcoming Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus, which we'll talk about a bit next episode. But this week, we're talking about a lot of different and important topics, including: Nancy's history in publishing—from publicist to author—and how it made her a better writer Why we should thank the author of The Total Woman (Google that one, y'all) for encouraging Nancy to start writing Nancy's rules for endorsing books The difference between being a theological thinker and being theologically driven The value of physical vs digital books as a learner Why your story may not be meant to be in a book—even if everyone is telling you to write one This episode is sponsored by our friends at Useful Group. Whether you're looking for a new website, or need help developing your marketing strategy, they want to be useful to you. Learn more at usefulgroup.com

Our friend Nick Rynerson joins us as he auditions to take over for our former co-host (but still friend of the podcast), Barnabas. Listen in as we discuss: Why Nick's coworkers have a Wendell Berry jar in the office Misunderstood authors (both their work and their lifestyles) How Keanu Reeves can be the nicest man in the world and Neil Young is seemingly not, yet both are Canadian Why Dave is reading a Tom Clancy novel when we normally make fun of such things All this and the usual silliness and mockery that goes on between everyone on this show.This episode is sponsored by our friends at Useful Group. Whether you're looking for a new website, or need help developing your marketing strategy, they want to be useful to you. Learn more at usefulgroup.com.A few of the books we mentioned on this episode: Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy Peace Like a River by Leif Enger South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero Sharing and supporting the show Leave a five-

It's time for our last new episode until 2020, and it's time for the three of us to have "the talk." Wait… what? What kind of talk are we talking about? You'll have to listen to find out. But in addition to that, a few other important things happen on the show: We play another round of our favorite game, "Leadership Book or Captain Picard" We discuss if we've embraced the "no hugging, no learning" rule (or if we're okay with side hugging) We talk about why Chevy Chase is terrible And what's the deal with the doll Barnabas is holding? Because we didn't really talk about any books on this episode, we'd encourage you to check out any (or all) of the following written by us (and leave a 5-star review on each one!): Epic: The Story that Changed the World Epic Devotions Awaiting a Savior Contend The Curious Christian Finally, be sure to grab a few bags of the Table of (mal)Contents blend by our friends at Lagares Coffee Roasters. Sharing and supporting the show Leave a five-star ratin

'Tis the season for exhaustive lists of top- something or others from bloggers and podcasters everywhere. So, we're getting right down to business on this episode as we present to you our completely self-serving end-of-year book lists. Along the way, we also discuss: When Aaron sounds most pretentious How we rank Tim Keller’s books The challenge of enjoying poetry Our happiness about our friend Scarlet being okay after a health scare What we thought about The Last Jedi Aaron's favorites: My Grandmother Told Me to Say She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman The Prodigal Prophet by Timothy Keller Afraid of All the Things by Scarlet Hiltibidal Heroes in Crisis by Tom King & Clay Mann The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson Barnabas' Favorites Us Against You by Fredrik Backman A Sever Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken Two Funerals Then Easter by Rachel Joy Welcher Proverbs: Wisdom that Works by Ray Ortlund  The Son by Philipp Meyer Dave's Favorites: Educated by Tara Westover On Desperate

After a lengthy (?) sabbatical, Barnabas is back with us in the studio to gift you a very special and highly censored discussion of: Where Barnabas has been all this time People using nouns as verbs, and why it should never, ever happen again Terrible ideas for the title of Barnabas's next book Father wounds and our attempt to read a book by a certain ex-megachurch pastor Why parents should post review books on behalf of their children on Amazon (like this one and this one) All this and Dave tries to make Aaron feel bad about not coming to the Lonesome Dove reading group. A few of the books mentioned in this episode: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry The Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva  The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead The Walt Longmire series by Craig Johnson Commonwealth by Anne Patchett As always, be sure to grab a few bags of the Table of (mal)Contents blend by our friends at Lagares Coffee Roasters. Also, don't forget to grab a copy of Aaron's ebook from The Gospel Project

About a year ago, Dave and I had the privilege of being joined in-studio by acclaimed novelist Leif Enger while Barnabas was out on a work-related trip. He declared us really bad friends, and we're okay with that. So, today, as we all gear up for Thanksgiving, we're representing this interview as a special holiday gift to you! Listen in as we discuss: Leif's writing process and why it took 10 years for Virgil Wander to be released; Why his latest is his "most Christian but least evangelical" book yet What it means to be a successful writer (and how he handles criticism); How his three books connect with different seasons; and Why book tours actually still matter. And to add salt to the wound, here's how we included Barnabas in our group photo. A few of the books mentioned in this episode: The Book of Delights by Ross Gay The Overstory by Richard Powers 1984 by George Orwell The Plot Against America by Philip Roth Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson As alway

With Barnabas still out trying to get his book written, Dave and I are joined by our friend and colleague Todd Adkins, who is the Director of LifeWay Leadership at LifeWay and the host of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast. Here's what you'll hear: Why leadership books needs to offer both theory and practice Which leadership book Aaron thought was the one he hated (but was actually one he liked) What makes a good illustration The two books Todd would walk through when developing a leader Another round of Leadership Book or Captain Picard! A few of the books referenced this week: Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath The Leadership Engine by Noel M. Tichy Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni Organizational Culture and Leadership by Edgar H. Schein Endurance by Alfred Lansing As always, be sure to grab a few bags of the Table of (mal)Contents blend by our friends at Lagares Coffee Roasters. Also, don't forget to grab a copy of Aaron

While Barnabas is off trying to meet a deadline or working or something, Aaron & Dave discuss all the things, including: The podcast's birthday and a look back on all its iterations Dutch Family Swears The Armstrong family lifestyle changes Dave's big takeaways from Hutchmoot and PubU If you can survive in publishing if you don't really love books Aaron's new ebook A few of the books referenced this week: Educated by Tara Westover Seinfeldia by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong 11/22/63 by Stephen King As always, be sure to grab a few bags of the Table of (mal)Contents blend by our friends at Lagares Coffee Roasters. And grab a copy of Aaron's ebook from The Gospel Project, Jesus Saves Christmas, here.Today's bonus content—the 4 Gospels meme from Dave: Sharing and supporting the showLeave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to the show. Give us a follow on Twitter at @MalContentsPod Be sure to use the Amazon affiliate links above to help us pay for the costs o

It's a special bonus episode of the show as Dave, returning guest co-host Elizabeth Hyndman, and me tackle some very serious subjects: Essential oils and pyramid schemes Some of our favorite books where the characters are places What would happen if you shared that your favorite book was The DaVinci Code in a high brow book club If we should write in books What makes us keep reading vs give up on a book A few of the books referenced this week: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peeling Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows Of Mice & Men and Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck Doomsday Clock Part 1 by Geoff Johns & Gary Frank And, as always, be sure to grab a few bags of the Table of (mal)Contents blend by our friends at Lagares Coffee Roasters. Sharing and supporting the show Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to the show. Give us a follow on Twitter at @MalContentsPod Be sure to use the Amazon affiliate links above

Dave is back in the studio and now Barnabas is MIA! But that's okay, because our friend, Elizabeth Hyndman to take his place and class up the show, while representing all women everywhere. Listen in as we discuss: The types of books she enjoys Books men should read to better understand women If people really need constant reminders to review books If people cosplay Jane Austen characters Who Elizabeth nominates for our sucker-punch fo the week (besides us) A few of the books referenced this week: Educated by Tara Westover Bossypants by Tina Fey Everything Happens for a Reason by Kate Bowler Undiscovered Country by Lin Enger Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery Once Upon a Time in Russia by Ben Mezrich Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith And, as always, be sure to grab a few bags of the Table of (mal)Contents blend by our friends at Lagares Coffee Roasters. Sharing and supporting the show Leave a five-star ra

With Dave still off doing something, Jennifer Brogdon returns to take his spot and class up this show. Listen in as we discuss: How men and women might process the difficult elements of Beartown differently Poor choices in cover designs (or when bad covers happen to good books) The right speed and cadence for audiobook narration Dave's favorite new author This week's indie-bookstore shout-out goes to Lemuria Books in Jackson, MS. If you live near Jackson, or you're passing through the area, be sure to check it out. A few of the books referenced this week: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Beartown by Fredrik Backman David Copperfield by Charles Dickens The Silkworm by J.K. Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith  The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson And, as always, be sure to grab a few bags of the Table of (mal)Contents blend by our friends at Lagares Coffee Roasters. Sharing and supporting the show Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever

Dave is off doing something (no one is really sure where he goes), but we've got a special guest! Jennifer Brogdon steps in to replace him talk different kinds of humor, teaching international students, and a book she read the day before recording this episode. Listen in as we discuss: Male vs female humor How Jen's passion for dentistry led her to be a writer Which Leif Enger book you should read first How we best use our reading time How reading plays a part in teaching international students A new definition of procrastination Jen's initial thoughts on Beartown A few of the books referenced this week: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens The Complete Short Stories by Flannery O’Connor  Beartown by Fredrik Backman Commonwealth by Anne Patchett  And, as always, be sure to grab a few bags of the Table of (mal)Contents blend by our friends at Lagares Coffee Roasters. Sharing and supporting the show Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you liste

We're back in the studio with another jam-packed episode of the show. Listen in as we discuss: Which three literary characters would we bring along as part of our own Fellowship of the Ring (that aren't part of the Fellowship of the Ring) If Neighborhood library boxes a good thing, and if people use them How to balance your diet of brain candy and more substantial books A book you we didn't want to end And who said it: a Leadership Book or Captain Picard As always, it gets weird, but it's good. A few of the books referenced this week: Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck Lessons From Lucy by Dave Barry The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith Anathem by Neal Stephenson Sharing and supporting the show Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to the show. Give us a follow on Twitter at @MalContentsPod Be sure to use the Amazon affiliate links above to help us pay for the costs of p

We finally got the three of us back in the studio, which can only mean one thing: more censorship than I would have thought possible! Listen in as we discus: How Barnabas is settling into his new role at Immanuel Who we were in middle school (and which kid in The Sandlot were we) If Malcolm Gladwell is insufferable (or if it's just his fans) If Barnabas should read Talking to Strangers Titles for a future Gladwell book Our decision to read a book by a certain controversial figure Who pulls off a more convincing "How dare you!" Three books Barnabas tried to read but really hated Plus, Barnabas offers an apology (kind of). As always, thanks to our friends at Lagares Coffee Roaster for partnering with us to make the Table of (mal)Contents blend. Order all the bags you can handle today. A few of the books we mention on this episode Malcolm Gladwell's books: The Tipping Point Blink Outliers What the Dog Saw David and Goliath Talking to Strangers This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger Batman Vo