Christian Book Blurb

ep48 - Soul Care for Parents with Anna Hawken

Anna Hawken shares her heart as well as practical tips on how parents can learn about God and about being His child by observing their children, based on her book 'Being God's Child: A Parents Guide'. We also chat about Christmas season mayhem, how to hear God's voice, the importance of asking questions as well as the Great British Bake Off (also known as The Great British Baking Show in the USA), food and friends. Also, can you help us to decide which is best - brownies or pastries? Listen now.
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Visit Anna's website parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep47 - An Advent Journey for the Whole Family with Rachel Yarworth

Rachel Yarworth talks about how we can celebrate advent as a family and her new book that she has compiled containing the writing of 25 different Christian authors, 'The Jesse Tree Anthology'. We also chat about home-schooling, seeing dolphins, her love of Cornwall and a precious family advent tradition she has in her own family. Listen now.
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Visit Rachel Yarworth's website rachelyarworthwriter.uk
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep46 - Hearing the Christmas Story Through Mary’s Voice with Amy Orr-Ewing

In this episode I chat with acclaimed theologian, author and speaker Amy Orr-Ewing about how Mary, the mother of Jesus, is uniquely placed to tell the nativity story as we discuss her new Advent devotional book 'Mary's Voice'. We discuss advent, the role of women in the church. her love of coffee and art as well as some of her favourite family advent traditions. Listen now.
This episode is sponsored by the book 'Wonder - An Advent and Christmas Collection'
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Visit Amy Orr-Ewing's Website amyorr-ewing.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep45 -Your Worth is not Defined by how Useful You Feel with Liz Carter

This is a fascinating discussion about identity and self-worth that is completely countercultural yet deeply biblical. I chat with Liz Carter about her life and the things she has learnt including that our worth is not defined by how useful we feel centred around her new book 'Valuable'. We also talk about the power of words and her love of the Nintendo Switch game 'The Legend of Zelda'. Listen now. 
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Visit Liz Carter's website greatadventure
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep44 - Reclaiming Masculinity with Matt Fuller

In this episode I chat with Matt Fuller about reclaiming a biblical view of masculinity within our toxic western culture. We discuss why friendships are important, why the church should be addressing the topic of masculinity and how the bible helps us gain a more positive understanding of masculinity. We also chat about the 'Barbie Movie' (Spoiler Alert) as well as Matt's love of paddle boarding. Listen now.
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Get Matt Fuller's book from The Good Book Company
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep43 - Can faith and doubt co-exist? with Kat Wordsworth

Doubt is an area we all find difficult from time to time. Can doubt and faith co-exist? Is it bad to doubt, or is it a normal part of the Christian experience? Kat Wordsworth shares very openly in this authentic interview where she discusses these very topics. Based on her personal experiences of faith and doubt, and her book 'Let's Talk About Doubt', she gently unwraps what she believes about this important, yet often silent topic. We also chat about her love of Nutella and the flute. Listen now.
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Visit Kat Wordsworth on Instagram 
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep42 - Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes with E. Randolph Richards

Misreading scripture by placing our own cultural bias and worldviews onto it is very easy to do. By recognising the times when our culture gets in the way of an accurate understanding of The Bible, we can learn to read it better. Listen to this fascinating discussion with author, theologian and scholar E. Randolph Richards and start to open your eyes to what The Bible is really saying. Listen now.
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Visit E. Randolph Richards's website Randolphrichards.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep41 - Why Less Means More with Cathy Madavan

This episode is jam-packed with golden nuggets on how to live life well. I speak with Cathy Madavan, author of 'Why Less Means More' about how we should define success, our culture's busyness addiction, the importance of prioritising and pressure performance - all from a biblical worldview. We also chat about her love of live music and Christian festivals as well as get an exclusive sneak-peak at the new 2024 Spring Harvest theme book. Don't miss it.
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Visit Cathy Madavan's website cathymadavan.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep40 - Understanding Rest as Worship with Sam Hargreaves

In this episode chat with Sam Hargreaves about rest and worship and about his and his wife, Sara's book 'The Rest is Worship'. We also chat about Star Wars, music and other creative projects he is involved in all finished off with a Christian Book Blurb first - a song. It is well worth a listen.
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Visit Sam Hargreave's website engageworship.org
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep39 - Keeping Your Faith in Difficult Times with Heather Leslie Hammer

In this episode I discuss how to keep your faith in difficult times with author of 'Shetland Mist' Heather Leslie Hammer. We talk about her love of the Shetland Islands, her family history and their links to the islands, the Methodist movement and her love of 'Call The Midwife' TV series. Listen now.
With thanks to this episode's sponsor Standing in The Storm
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Heather Leslie Hammer's website heatherlesliehammer.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep 38 - Responding to Scripture Creatively with Drew Jackson

In this episode I explore creativity and how we can use it to respond to scripture with poet, Drew Jackson. We also discuss poetry as a spiritual practice, his love of New York City and basketball and find out how hip-hop music led to his love of poetry. Drew also reads two of his amazing poems for us on the show. Don't miss this.
With thanks to this episode's sponsor Shetland Mist
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Drew Jackson's drewejackson.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep37 - Helping children to pray and be a good friend with Gemma Hunt

I am a bit start-struck this episode as I speak with Gemma Hunt (a UK children's TV personality and author - CBeebies, Songs of Praise, Alpha Course etc). This episode is packed full of creative prayer tips and retelling of some of the parables from the Bible within a modern context. We chat about mixed-race representation in Christian books as well as Gemma's love of food and the Great British Bake Off TV Show. You've got to listen to this.
With thanks to this episode's sponsor Kevinmayhew.com
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Gemma Hunt's website gemmahunt.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep36 - God isn’t finished with you yet with Catherine Campbell

An honest discussion about some of the big things that make life difficult, yet finding God in the midst of it all. I chat with Catherine Campbell about success and failure, ageing, coping with a bad health diagnosis and how when we may think God has finished with us - he really hasn't at all. We also chat about Call The Midwife and her love of women's ministry. Listen now.
With thanks to this episode's sponsor A Truthful Man by Hillary Walker
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Catherine Campbell's website catherine-campbell.com 
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep35 - The eternal power of remembering answered prayer with Richard Gamble

A compelling discussion with author and visionary Richard Gamble about his book 'Remember: Revealing the eternal power of answered prayer'. We also talk about his project where he and his team are building a national landmark in the centre of the country as a memorial to God's goodness, his love of Leicester City Football Club, sausage rolls and the type of holiday he likes best. You have go to listen to this!
With thanks to this episode's sponsor The Dove Stone by PS Daunton
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Visit The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer's Website eternalwall.org.uk
Watch the video Richard mentioned in the podcast
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep34 - Navigating singleness with Paula Halliday

A frank and honest discussion about singleness in the church and what we can do to navigate it well (as well as what not to say when trying to be helpful). Paula Halliday speaks from personal experience as we discuss her book 'Singled Out: Navigating your season of singleness'. We also chat about dating apps and competitive games nights with her family. Listen now.
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Paula Halliday on Instagram 
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep33 - Is Kindness Killing the Church? with Hugh Osgood

What is church unity? Why is it so important? What is getting in the way of true, robust unity today? Hugh Osgood answers all these questions and more as we discuss his new book 'Is Kindness Killing the Church?' We also hear about some of Hugh's life story as well as his enjoyment of playing Chopin on the piano and his love of curry. Listen now.
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Hugh Osgood's website: houghosgood.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep32 - Christian Wellness and Good Mental Health with Jo Acharya

This episode sees a  fascinating discussion about wellness and mental health for Christians with author Jo Acharya. We also chat about her love of singing, gardening and her new-found obsession with roasting tin recipes. Have a listen.
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Jo Acharya's website: valleyofsprings.com
Help with Jo Acharya's Crowdfunder Campaign: Click Here
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep31 - Including psychology and faith in fiction with Annie Try

An insightful discussion with the author Annie Try about how including psychology and faith in fiction writing can provide real-life answers and help. We also chat about her love of dance and family and we find out how she likes her fish and chips. Have a listen.
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Annie Try's website: annie-try.co.uk
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep30 - Dream Small with Seth Lewis

Is bigger really better? Seth Lewis chats with me about what Godly success looks like and why it is more important for us to be faithful and to dream small rather than to relentlessly pursue things just because they are bigger and supposedly better. We also chat about camping and his (and my) love of all things dessert. Have a listen.
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Seth Lewis' website: sethlewis.ie
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep29 - David and Bathsheba: Affair or Abuse of Power? with Amanda Bedzrah

Hear the heart and passion of author Amanda Bedzrah and discover her understanding of the story of David and Bathsheba as she discusses her new biblical fiction novel 'Becoming Queen Bathsheba'. We chat about the work that goes in to writing biblical fiction as well as her love of Christmas movies, charity work and more. 
 
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Visit Amanda Bedzrah's website: amandabedzrah.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep28 - A Voice for the Voiceless: Reframing Disability with Jonathan Bryan

Jonathan Bryan is a remarkable young man and I had the privilege of interviewing him for this episode. We speak about what it is like to be non-verbal, how disability affects perception and expectation of others, how to write a book when you can't control your limbs and why a teenager has set up a national charity. A truly remarkable episode that you don't want to miss - listen now!
 
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Visit Jonathan Bryan's website eyecantalk.net
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep27 - Pointing Children and Teens to Jesus with Joy Vee

In this episode I have a fascinating discussion with author Joy Vee about her time living in Ukraine, translating books, her coffee house hobby and she even offers up some sage parenting advice (we also talk about her books and about writing of course!) I found this episode fascinating to record and I hope you enjoy listening to it just as much as I did making it.
 
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Visit Joy Vee's website joyvee.org (because she's not a .com)
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep26 - Staying Positive in Challenging Circumstances with Zach Windahl

Happy New Year! In order to start of 2023 with a big dose of positivity, I speak with Zach Windahl about his book 'See The Good' as well as his love of good food, rest, how he came to faith and his tiktok daily devotionals. Listen now.
 
Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery
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Visit Zach Windahl's website zachwindahl.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

ep25 - Coping with Grief at Christmas with Penelope Swithinbank

Christmas can be a difficult time of year especially for those who have lost a loved one. In this episode I chat with author Penelope Swithinbank about her book 'Scent of Water' written specifically to help those who are grieving. We also chat about the Royal Family, Bath Abbey and her love of long distance hiking. Listen now.
 
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Visit Penelope Swithinbank's website penelopeswithinbank.com
Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com