Best Midwest Writing Center Podcasts (2025)

1
More on the Midwest and Midlife with Kevin, Collin, and Justin 1:09:19

16d ago1:09:19

1:09:19

The triumvirate comes back together to wrap up another season of LBE. Along with the obligatory sports chatter, the three guys talk at length about the first Midwest Pope (and why they are not Catholics) and about life in middle age (and why they are not too depressed). There are, of course, many book recommendations as well. CHAPTERS 0:00 Sponsors…

1
The Biblical View of Abortion with Tom Pennington 1:01:30

30d ago1:01:30

1:01:30

What does the Bible say about life in the womb? When does life begin? What about personhood? What has the church taught about abortion over the centuries? How should we respond to familiar slogans like “My body, my choice”? In this important episode, Kevin talks with Tom Pennington, Pastor at Countryside Bible Church in Southlake, Texas, about his …

1
Nicene Orthodoxy with Blair Smith 1:05:00

1M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

Kevin welcomes his good friend—neighbor, church colleague, and seminary colleague (soon to be boss!)—Blair Smith to the podcast. As a systematic theology professor, Blair’s expertise is on Trinitarian theology, in particular in the crucial fourth and fifth centuries. Listen in as Kevn and Blair look at the theology and the history behind the Counci…

1
Pastoral Theology with Jonathan Master 36:24

1M ago36:24

36:24

First published in 1877, Thomas Murphy’s Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office is one of the absolute best books of its kind. Murphy’s treatise is inspiring, challenging, comprehensive, opinionated, practical, and spiritual in the deepest sense of the word. Listen as Kevin and Jonathan Master, president at Greenville Pre…

1
016 Jason Martin 3:39

2M ago3:39

3:39

016 Jason MartinBy Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University

1
015 Esther Windt 3:24

2M ago3:24

3:24

015 Esther Windt Esther Windt is a trans woman writer who’s currently attending Saint Ambrose University for an English Degree (Creative Writing Concentration). She’s been published with the Midwest Writing Center in the Shattered Constraints Anthology and has also been published in the SAU literary magazine Quercus Volume 32 and 33.…

1
014 Garrett Traylor 1:20

2M ago1:20

1:20

014 Garrett Traylor Garrett Traylor is a proud husband, father, son, brother, dog-dad, and whatever other ways humans are connected by love. He works as an academic librarian in his hometown. He has published works on Scandinavian cinema, adaptation theory, video games, parks and place meaning, and various works of poetry.…

1
013 Emily Tobin 3:16

2M ago3:16

3:16

013 Emily Tobin Emily Tobin is a librarian from Michigan who now lives in Illinois. She enjoys making art and experiencing entropy.By Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University

1
012 Kai Newell 1:40

2M ago1:40

1:40

012 Kai Newell Kai Newell is a queer author and advocate who uses their writing and work to push for equality and inclusion. A Transgender and Gender Expansive Care Coordinator by day, they’re passionate about breaking barriers, especially in the LGBTQ+ community. When they’re not busy fighting for change, you’ll find them hanging out with their ki…

1
011 Emily Murphy 2:50

2M ago2:50

2:50

011 Emily Murphy Born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, Emily Murphy is a sophomore at St. Ambrose University, recently switching majors from forensic psychology to creative writing in pursuit of her childhood dream of becoming an author.By Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University

1
010 Caitlin Moran 3:29

2M ago3:29

3:29

010 Caitlin Moran Caitlin Moran is a Masters student in Rhetoric at Iowa State University. They earned their Bachelors of Arts in English from Dominican University. Outside of academia, Caitlin plays hockey, reads, and writes. Their poetry and fiction has been published by Mount Island Literary Magazine and the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Pa…

1
009 Sam Miller 1:48

2M ago1:48

1:48

009 Sam Miller Sam Miller is a 17-year-old human being surely not a robot. You can usually find them reading or writing accompanied by a caffeinated drink. They strongly believe in the importance of storytelling and the sharing of experiences.By Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University

1
008 Ava Miller 2:14

2M ago2:14

2:14

008 Ava Miller Ava Miller has been writing since they could pick up a pencil, and to everyone's chagrin, they show no signs of stopping. They graduated from St. Olaf College in 2023 with degrees in English and Film & Media Studies, and they currently live in Davenport with several weird cats.By Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University

1
007 June Heller 3:45

2M ago3:45

3:45

007 June Heller June Heller lives in Davenport, Iowa, where she and her husband own the local Minor League Baseball team, the Quad Cities River Bandits. June recently took up creative writing while studying at the University of Iowa, where was thrilled to complete her bachelor’s degree before her teenage sons started theirs.…

1
006 Gregory Gomez 0:44

2M ago0:44

0:44

006 Gregory Gomez Gregory Gomez is a rising artist within the Quad Cities. His studies include an English Education degree with an endorsement in ESL as well as a music minor. He performs alongside the Quad City Wind Ensemble and the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps in his free time.By Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University

1
005 Philip Goldfarb Styrt 0:44

2M ago0:44

0:44

005 Philip Goldfarb Styrt Philip Goldfarb Styrt is an assistant professor of English at St. Ambrose University. He writes poetry about modern themes and topics in traditional lyric forms, and lives in Davenport with his wife, children, and toothless dog. His poetry has appeared in such venues as The Eastern Iowa Review, carte blanche, and SAU's own…

1
004 Monica Flink 1:24

2M ago1:24

1:24

004 Monica Flink Monica Flink is an award-winning author, poet, and baker from Davenport, Iowa. Her work can be found in Writers on the Avenue's Everything Old is New Again anthology, Midwest Writing Center's These Interesting Times anthology, and soon in Iowa Poetry Association's Lyrical Iowa 2024 anthology as well as the 2024 Grant Wood Country C…

1
003 Allie Crisco 0:56

2M ago0:56

0:56

003 Allie Crisco Allie Crisco is a sophomore at St. Ambrose University. She enjoys writing in her spare time, particularly free verse poetry and narrative fiction. The first time she shared her work publicly was last year in the Shattered Constraints anthology published by the MWC.By Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University

1
002 Adrian Cole 2:59

2M ago2:59

2:59

002 Adrian Cole Adrian Cole is a poet and mixed media artist. Their works have been included in Altas Vol. 13, Euphemism (2018-2019), and CitySpeaks; a collaborative work between local writers and the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra. Most recently a poem was published in Shattered Constraints: An Anthology of Radical Hospitality.…

1
001 Asmita Bag 1:38

2M ago1:38

1:38

001 Asmita Bag Asmita Bag is a Junior at Pleasant Valley High School. She enjoys writing poetry and (apparently) tying her identity to a high school. When she's not writing, she can be found sitting on her bed, curled up in a blanket, working on homework. Living the dream, huh?By Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University

1
000 Being Human in the Age of AI: A podcast 39:27

2M ago39:27

39:27

000 Being Human in the Age of AI: A podcast The Being Human in the Age of AI podcast is the product of an ongoing collaboration between the Midwest Writing Center and the Galvin Fine Arts Center at St. Ambrose University. It showcases original poetry and flash prose from contributors to the anthology, exploring the complex relationship between tech…

1
A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation with Matthew Bingham 1:13:09

2M ago1:13:09

1:13:09

It is often believed, by friends and critics alike, that the Reformed tradition, though perhaps good on formal doctrine, is impoverished when it comes to spiritual formation. The charge is that the Reformed approach to piety is all about head knowledge, about learning things as brains on sticks. Other Christians may be less critical but simply assu…

1
On Tyndale House, the Old Testament, and the Promises and Pitfalls of Biblical Scholarship with Peter Williams and Will Ross 38:00

3M ago38:00

38:00

Recently, Peter Williams, Principal at Tyndale House in Cambridge, preached at Christ Covenant Church for its missions week. At the end of the evening service, Kevin sat down with Peter and fellow Cambridge-alum Will Ross, who teaches Old Testament at RTS Charlotte, for a discussion about the importance of Tyndale House and its mission to foster fa…

1
Preaching and Pastoral Ministry with John Piper 1:16:04

3M ago1:16:04

1:16:04

In this wide-ranging interview, recorded live at Christ Covenant Church in conjunction with the Coram Deo Pastors Workshop, Kevin asks John about everything from preaching style, to the influence of his parents, to growing up in the South, to his strengths and weaknesses as a pastor. You’ll hear lots of stories, pastoral wisdom, and personal transp…

1
The Most Influential Family in America with Obbie Tyler Todd 1:12:44

4M ago1:12:44

1:12:44

Before the Bushes or Clintons, before the Kennedy or Kardashians, there were the Beechers—a sprawling family of preachers, suffragists, abolitionists, and moral crusaders that defined (and exemplified) America as much as any single family in the nineteenth century. Join Kevin as he interviews Obbie Tyler Todd, a pastor and professor, about his new …

1
A Special Episode from the Doctrine Matters Podcast by Crossway 14:59

4M ago14:59

14:59

Listen to a special episode of Life and Books and Everything promoting Crossway's new Podcast, Doctrine Matters.

1
The Person and Work of Christ with Brandon Crowe 1:05:01

4M ago1:05:01

1:05:01

Kevin welcomes to the podcast Brandon Crowe, a native Alabamian, an SEC fan, a Teaching Elder in the PCA, and a professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Believe it or not, there is only question about football, and it comes at the very end. The rest of the time is spent trying to explain things like the hypostatic union, the …

1
A Very Special Episode with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen 1:09:06

5M ago1:09:06

1:09:06

There has been some concern that Justin and Collin have been kept out of the “very special guest” designation. In order to make up for past offenses, this episode, with two very special guests, is being hailed as a very special episode. The three amigos start out by talking about football (of course) and a new cultural openness to Christianity. The…

1
A Life of Hope and Hurdles with Andre Levrone and Sydney McLaughlin Levrone 1:06:17

5M ago1:06:17

1:06:17

How can you shine as a Christian in the world of professional sports—when sometimes your dreams come true and often they don’t? What does it take to be an elite athlete (and why is it a great profession for sleep enthusiasts)? You’ll want to listen to this special episode of LBE as Kevin asks Andre, a former NFL player, and Sydney—an Olympic champi…

1
It’s Christmastime with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen 56:11

6M ago56:11

56:11

We’ve all been waiting, and it’s finally here: the annual Christmas LBE. Listen in as the three amigos talk about Christmas movies, favorite books, which LBE member is the most like Jerry Seinfeld, and, of course, the airing of many grievances. Chapters: 0:00 Sponsors & Intro 5:50 The Vibe Shift 20:10 Let’s Talk About Christmas 30:02 Sponsor Break …

1
What Is the Mission of the Church? with Brian DeVries 1:02:23

6M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

Mission is one of those words that Christians use all the time. So are words like “missions” and missionaries.” But what do they mean? Is “mission” even the best word to use to describe what Christians should be doing in the world? In today’s episode, Kevin talks with fellow Michigander, Brian DeVries, about his new book You Will Be My Witnesses. B…

1
Evaluating the Thought of Cornelius Van Til with Keith Mathison and James Anderson 1:19:32

6M ago1:19:32

1:19:32

It is hard to exaggerate the influence of Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) in conservative Reformed circles over the past hundred years. And yet, there continues to be much discussion about what Van Til believed and how he meant for his apologetic ideas to be put into practice. Kevin welcomes Keith Mathison, from Reformation Bible College, to discuss …

1
The Life and Ministry of R.C. Sproul with Stephen Nichols 49:51

6M ago49:51

49:51

Recently, Steve Nichols spoke at the Faithful Conference, an annual conference for Christ Covenant Church. After giving a lecture on R.C. Sproul, Steve sat down with Kevin to talk about his own life and what he learned writing the biography of Sproul. Listen in as Kevin asks Steve about Sproul’s influences, his strengths and weaknesses, his friends…

1
Everyday Gospel with Paul Tripp 1:08:16

7M ago1:08:16

1:08:16

Most Christians in conservative churches are familiar with Paul Tripp’s books. He’s one of the most popular authors in the church today, with a knack for applying the gospel to all of life. His devotional New Morning Mercies has been a consistent bestseller. Now Tripp has a new devotional, Everyday Gospel, that serves as a gospel commentary on the …

1
What Does It Mean to Be an Evangelical? With Andrew Atherstone and David Ceri Jones 1:05:06

7M ago1:05:06

1:05:06

A few months ago, a prominent American scholar, Matthew Avery Sutton, published an article arguing there is no “through line” from Christians of the past to today’s post-WWII evangelicals. In order to assess this argument, Kevin invited two scholars of the evangelical movement to join him: Andrew Atherstone from Oxford in England and David Ceri Jon…

1
A Critical Look at Critical Theory with Carl Trueman 1:14:18

8M ago1:14:18

1:14:18

In his new book To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse, Carl Trueman argues that “Critical theory [sees] any notion of human nature as merely an ideological or social construct, a function of discourses of power.” Even though critical theory makes for dense reading, and is probably very little read by people in the pew, the idea…

1
Westminster Divines, Spiritual Warfare, and the Neglected Practice of Hospitality with Chad Van Dixhoorn 1:14:45

8M ago1:14:45

1:14:45

It’s not everyday you get to hear from the world’s expert on the Westminster Assembly (and who among us does not wish to know more about the Westminster Assembly?!). So sit back and enjoy this freewheeling conversation as Kevin and Chad talk about a guy named John Arrowsmith, the importance of pastoral hospitality, issues of church and state, and h…

1
Life, and Ministry, and Laughter with Jason Helopoulos 1:21:00

9M ago1:21:00

1:21:00

Listen as the two friends talk about the Land of Lincoln, about influential books and authors in their lives, and how the importance of friendship. You’ll get to learn more about Jason’s background, more about why he loves the PCA, and you’ll get to hear his great laugh. Chapters: 0:00 Intro & Sponsors 7:41 Hip-hop-Helopoulos 10:32 Administration a…

1
Reading, Writing, and the Olympics with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen 1:08:14

10M ago1:08:14

1:08:14

After a summer hiatus, the fellas are back together to kick off a new season of LBE. If you always look forward to the sports banter with these three, then you will LOVE this episode. You get a deep dive on the Olympics, including what makes them so joyful, what other countries besides America to root for, and whether other countries use Americans …

1
The Airing of Gratitude with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen 1:00:06

12M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Kevin is joined once again by his friends—and by now, only somewhat special guests—Justin and Collin. Listen in as the three amigos talk about books, summer plans, and what they are grateful for. Once again, you’ll find that the guys hit that sweet spot that combines ephemeral chatter and over-long monologues. Books & Everything: Ask Pastor John: 7…

1
The Blessing (and Danger) of Authority with Jonathan Leeman 1:00:36

1y ago1:00:36

1:00:36

We live in a day where authority is often rebuffed and where many people are quick to assume all authority is abusive authority. And yet, some authority is abusive. But the antidote to bad authority is not “no authority” but “good authority.” Kevin welcomes Jonathan Leeman, editorial director for 9Marks, into the virtual studio to talk about Jonath…

1
A Conversation about Christianity and Football with Kirk Cousins 53:28

1y ago53:28

53:28

Kirk Cousins has been an NFL quarterback for 12 years. Before that he played at Michigan State (where he and Kevin met). Before that he was a barely-recruited teenager playing at Holland Christian. And before that, he was a kid in Chicago whose dad helped start Willow Creek (yes, that Willow Creek). If you want to know more of this story, and hear …

1
Petrus Van Mastricht's Theoretical-Practical Theology with Todd Rester 1:16:10

1y ago1:16:10

1:16:10

What are you doing with your life? Todd Rester is using a big chunk of his life to translate a seventeenth-century Dutch theologian's magnum opus (all 1.7 million words of it) from Latin into English. Join Kevin and Todd as they take a deep dive into the world of Latin translation, systematic theology, and church history. Who was Petrus Van Mastric…

1
The Pastor as Leader with John Currie 56:34

1y ago56:34

56:34

With everything the pastor must do—preach, pray, visit, raise money, organize meetings, write emails, study, write, marry, bury, and baptize—does he also need to be a leader? John Currie, in his new book The Pastor as Leader (Crossway), says yes. But don't fear, this is not about one more impossible task or another time burden for the pastor. Leade…

1
Get Married with Brad Wilcox 1:07:10

1y ago1:07:10

1:07:10

For most of us, getting married and forging a strong family is the best way to build a prosperous, meaningful, and happy life. That's the message of Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization, the new book by University of Virginia professor Brad Wilcox. Listen in as Kevin and Brad talk explore why…

1
Episode 016: Esther Windt 1:25

1y ago1:25

1:25

Episode 016: Esther Windt They're Telling Me Esther Windt is a trans writer who loves writing poems, short stories, and creative nonfiction, and is currently attending Saint Ambrose University. She has her work published in the Half and One magazine, as well as The Atlas 17 and 18, and Quercus Volume 32.…

1
Episode 015: Elena Vallejo 2:51

1y ago2:51

2:51

Episode 015: Elena Vallejo Oracion de viaje (A Travel Prayer) Elena Vallejo was born and raised in the Quad Cities and is currently studying Early Childhood Education, Theatre, and Writing at St. Ambrose University. In addition to poetry, Elena writes for the SAU school newspaper, writes for LOVE Girls Magzine, is an editor for SAU’s Quercus, and h…

1
Episode 014: Haven O’Brian 4:37

1y ago4:37

4:37

Episode 014: Haven O’Brian Untitled Haven O'Brian is an 11-year-old student at Hopewell Elementary. Haven loves reading and writing and is a passionate musician who enjoys playing the violin, piano, and alto saxophone. When not engaging in musical practice, she dedicates her time to volunteering for various causes she deeply cares about…

1
Episode 013: Margie Mejia-Caraballo 3:31

1y ago3:31

3:31

Episode 013: Margie Mejia-Caraballo I Died Waiting in Line Margie is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and a social activist. Margie enjoys gardening and reading. Margie is very active in her community and sits on numerous boards and committees in both Illinois and Iowa.By David Baker

1
Episode 012: Farah Marklevits 1:48

1y ago1:48

1:48

Episode 012: Farah Marklevits Leaf Season Farah Marklevits teaches and tutors at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL and lives with her family in Iowa. Her poems have appeared in Smartish Pace, West Branch, Michigan Quarterly Review, and other spaces.By David Baker

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