In this special episode of Publishing Secrets, we stand on the threshold of an exciting new beginning. Join us as we reflect on the transformative journey we've shared, exploring the depths of servant leadership, and prepare to embark on a brand-new adventure with the launch of "The Beacon Show." Discover what awaits you in this inspiring new podcast, where we'll dive deeper into the stories, principles, and actions that forge true legacies in Christian leadership. Get ready to be part of a...

How can we, as Christian thought leaders and authors, ensure that our influence extends beyond our lifetimes and creates a ripple effect of positive change that grows long after we’re gone? In Part 4 of the Leading with Grace series, we focus on the enduring impact of leadership: the legacy we leave behind. Tune in to discover the secret to crafting a legacy of transformation that ignites lasting change in the hearts and minds of those you serve.

As Christian thought leaders and authors, we have the unique opportunity to inspire and guide others — not only through our words, but also through our actions. In Part 3 of the Leading with Grace series, we discover how exercising wisdom-based authority while nurturing the growth and potential of those we lead can create a powerful ripple effect of positive change. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning to embrace your calling, it’s time to uncover the secret to leading with...

What makes a true leader? Often, it’s not success and smooth sailing that leads to growth, but relentless perseverance through challenges and uncertainty. In Part 2 of the Leading with Grace Series, we explore the indomitable spirit of leadership through the lens of resilience and vision, with the example of a member of our own community to guide us. Tune in to learn how you can demonstrate grace under fire!

How do you measure your true potential? And how can you create a powerful, lasting legacy of leadership? In this introductory episode to the “Leading with Grace” series, we study the example set by a member of our own community to learn how we can use our talents and empathy to serve others and make a positive impact on the world. Are you ready to become a change maker?

Have you been waiting for love so long that you’re tempted to settle for less than you’d once hoped and prayed for? Or, are you putting off your dream of writing a book because it seems like such a big, complicated undertaking? This week’s episode of Publishing Secrets is a two-for-one: if you answered “yes” to either of the above questions, Dee Dee Patterson has some advice for you. You’ll be inspired by her story of finding a love worth waiting for — and getting her message out into the...

Is there a call you’ve been resisting? No matter how you’ve tried to ignore it, have you heard God’s voice that just won’t seem to leave you alone? Do you know deep in your soul that you are supposed to write, yet you hesitate to take the first step and actually start writing? This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Jeaninne Stokes, ignored God’s call to leave her full-time job for an entire year, but it kept coming back until she finally obeyed. Jeaninne describes her journey as leaving Egypt...

How do you respond when things don’t go the way you expect them to? Do you throw in the towel, or try to force your desired outcome anyway? Or do you keep moving forward one step at a time and trust that God will make a way for you? This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Candy Arrington, is a living example of the phrase “expect the unexpected.” Candy had ideas and plans for her writing journey, but God showed repeatedly that His plan and timetable were very different from hers. Listen to...

What does it really mean to walk in Christ and experience His love? Most of us know that our identity should come from God instead of the world, but how can we make sure that happens? This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Ann Lenaers, realized she had never known a relationship with God and went on a journey to discover the truth about who Jesus is. In that journey, she discovered a love so powerful she couldn’t stop the words from flowing once they’d started. Listen and be inspired by...

What is the standard for your life? Is it what people say about you? How much money you have — or don’t have? Your status or political views? Whatever it is, your standard impacts everything you do. In this day and age, there are so many things vying for our attention that it’s easy to lose focus of what standard we as Christians should be measuring ourselves against. This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Josh Khachadourian, challenges us to examine the standards and motives on which we...

What do you do when you feel like giving up? When all the doors seem to close on you, or you feel as though you’re in way over your head? Do you give up, or do you keep pushing through and hoping things will work out in the end? This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Pastor Jim Wickham, has been there. Over and over again, he’s had to trust that God would open the right doors at the right time — and God has done exactly that. If you believe God has called you to the place you are right now,...

Do you worry that your writing isn’t “good enough”? You know you’ve been called to write, but you keep comparing yourself to others and trying to create a better image of yourself to show the world. Or maybe you’re afraid of putting yourself out there before you’re “ready” and have all the resources and people lined up to make it happen. If that’s you, this week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Marlena Banks, has a word of encouragement for you. Listen and let Marlena encourage you to use what...

What’s holding you back from putting yourself out there? Are you busy running here and there, trying to get everything done, and telling yourself you simply don’t have time? Are you uncomfortable with the idea of promoting yourself? Are you unsure how to go about looking for opportunities? Whatever the case, this week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Courtnaye Richard, is here to encourage you to go for it anyway. Courtnaye knows what it’s like to be constantly on the go and to worry that your...

Have you found yourself in a “hurry up and wait” situation where everything seems to be moving more slowly than you expected or wanted? What can you do when you’re ready to move forward, but God is telling you to wait? This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Kirstyn Mayden, had followed God’s prompting to write her book and start the publishing process, but then she had to wait on others to do their part, too. If you’re overwhelmed by all of your to-dos and worries about what will or won’t...

Are you holding back from telling your story because you’re afraid of what other people will think – and yet you keep seeing or hearing little “nudges” that you know aren’t coincidences? Maybe it’s time to listen to God’s prompting and finally write that book. This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Anita Morris, was afraid to let others in on the dark parts of her past. But she learned that God could use it both for her own healing and to give hope to people who are experiencing similar...

Are you getting beaten down by naysayers around you? It’s tough when the people you expect to support you don’t – and when what looks like a clear path to success doesn’t work out like you thought it would. This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Julie Broad, can relate. Julie was told “no” by a major publisher even after she thought a book deal was in the works, and she also faced disheartening opposition from someone very close to her. But she didn’t let any of that stop her. Instead, Julie...

How do you build an author platform that attracts major publishers? Is it actually possible to get traditionally published after choosing the self-publishing route? And what if you keep trying to make your author dreams come true, but you just aren’t seeing results? While building your author platform does take work, this week’s Publishing Secrets guest, John Stange, found that it’s much simpler than you might expect. In fact, John never intended to build the big, multifaceted platform he...

What are you waiting for? Are you holding back from chasing your dream career to support your husband’s? Have you stalled in the publishing process because you haven’t won someone’s approval yet, even though you know that you know your audience and their pain points? Whatever your delay may be, this week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Beth Walker, has a word of encouragement for you: You don’t have to wait for someone to tell you that your voice matters. Follow God’s leading, get to know your...

Do you ever think that you’ve gone too far? That you’ve made too many mistakes for God to use you in ministry? If so, you aren’t alone. But there is still hope! After a drunk driving incident landed her in court, this week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Carol McCracken, thought her ministry as a Bible study teacher was over. But in truth, God’s plan for her life was just beginning. Listen as Carol shares her story of God’s grace and direction, and be encouraged by her message that God can use...

Do you find it difficult to make time for writing? Do you wear many hats, or have countless distractions throughout your day? If so, you’re not alone. But you CAN find time and focus to write the book God has given you. This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Tyler Smith, has learned the importance of making time to do what you feel God has called you to do — and for having confidence in your God-given abilities, even when you feel inadequate or underqualified. Listen and be inspired to make...

Have you ever wanted to sit down with a multi-best-selling author and hear straight from them what it takes to succeed — and how to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls? If so, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson, offers insight and advice for aspiring authors. Listen as Cheryl lays out the keys to her success, as well as mistakes she has made in the past that you can learn from and avoid. Be sure to have a pen and...

Do you have so many ideas that you simply don’t know where to start? How can you decide how much information to include in one book and how much to save for a later project? After all, God gave you those ideas for a reason — and that means they’re all important, right? This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Dr. Bren Williams, wrestled with this exact problem while writing her first book. Through prayer and listening for God’s guidance, however, she was able to work through a process of...

Are you struggling with a story that you know needs to be told — but you’d much rather someone else write it instead? As writers and aspiring authors, we often have a vision for what we think our writing career will look like. But what happens when God interrupts your plans and challenges you to be vulnerable and share a story that exposes secrets and sets people free? This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Rosie Makinney, was waiting for someone else to write the book she knew the world...

Are you hesitant to write because there’s too much you don’t know? Do you find yourself facing one closed door after another in your author journey? Whatever may be holding you back, you’re not alone. This week’s Publishing Secrets guest, Zalea Dold, had many obstacles to overcome. But despite language barriers, lack of technical knowledge, and unanticipated delays, Zalea learned that God will provide what she needs at just the right time so she can fulfill the calling He has placed in her...