The Way Back Podcast

S2:E9- Publishing and The Writer's Life with Rachel Joy Welcher

The Way Back Podcast is brought to you by TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [http://thewayback2ourselves.com/], with co-host and producer Edward Holmes [https://open.substack.com/users/56531309-edward-holmes?utm_source=mentions] and founder Kimberly Phinney [https://substack.com/profile/122923004-kimberly-phinney], an English professor, author, editor, and counselor, who is a doctoral candidate in Community Care and Counseling. Her poetry collections, Of Wings and Dirt [https://a.co/d/6227jmC] and Exalted Ground [https://a.co/d/4xerD4T], are available wherever books are sold. She is an award-winning poet and educator, and her book on art, faith, and belonging will debut with Baker Books in 2027. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY HERE: To hear more and connect with our community, please visit www.TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [http://www.thewayback2ourselves.com/]. We offer editing, counseling, teaching, and publishing services, as well as cohorts and retreats. COME TO THE CULTIVATE RETREAT: JUNE 19-21, 2026, in Greenville, SC. LEARN MORE HERE. [https://www.thewayback2ourselves.com/store/p/cultivate-2026-retreat-rooted-greenville-sc-june-19-21] Come join Kimberly as she sits down with Rachel Joy Welcher, author and editor with Baker Books. In this new episode, Rachel and Kimberly have a fun and unscripted conversation, chatting about all things publishing and the writer’s life. This episode is equal parts equipping and inspirational, and you won’t want to miss it. If you loved it, be sure to connect with Rachel and grab one of her books, which can be purchased wherever books are sold. So, come, friends, and sit down with us. We think you’ll find some goodness here. Rachel speaks on: -her insights as an acquisitions and book editor with Baker Books -shares important lessons and advice for emerging writers -references her popular essay with Inkwell on publishing and platforms, which you can access HERE [https://open.substack.com/pub/inkwellct/p/the-platform-dilemma?r=216nzw&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web]. -discusses authentic and faithful ways to show up as a Christian writer and creative -shares about her long and winding journey toward the writing life and becoming published -what’s inspiring her right now -and so much more This is an episode you won’t want to miss! You can find Rachel Joy Welcher here: Her Substack: Rachel Joy Welcher [https://racheljoywelcher.substack.com/] Her Instagram: @racheljwelcher [https://www.instagram.com/racheljwelcher/] Get full access to My Way Back at thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe [https://thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

S2:E8- An Axe for the Frozen Sea with Ben Palpant

The Way Back Podcast is brought to you by TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [http://thewayback2ourselves.com/], with co-host and producer Edward Holmes [https://open.substack.com/users/56531309-edward-holmes?utm_source=mentions] and founder Kimberly Phinney [https://substack.com/profile/122923004-kimberly-phinney], an English professor, author, editor, and counselor, who is a doctoral candidate in Community Care and Counseling. Her poetry collections, Of Wings and Dirt [https://a.co/d/6227jmC] and Exalted Ground [https://a.co/d/4xerD4T], are available wherever books are sold. She is an award-winning poet and educator, and her book on art, faith, and belonging will debut with Baker Books in 2027. Come join Kimberly as she sits down with Ben Palpant, speaker, educator, and author of An Axe for the Frozen Sea, out with Rabbit Room Press, as well as several other books. In this new episode, Ben and Kimberly dive deep into poetry, wonder, and the unexpected gifts of suffering. This episode is equal parts creative and inspirational, and you won't want to miss their serendipitous meeting. If you love poetry, faith, and the artist's life, then this podcast episode is for you--and so is Ben's book, which you can pick up wherever books are sold. AND BIG NEWS: Along with Amanda Help Opelt and Stephen Roach, Ben Palpant is joining us as a keynote speaker at TWBTO Cultivate Retreat, happening June 19-21, 2026, in Greenville, SC. TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW at our website: TheWayBack2Ourselves.com/store [https://www.thewayback2ourselves.com/store/p/cultivate-2026-retreat-rooted-greenville-sc-june-19-21]. So, come, friend, and sit down with us. We think you’ll find some solace and inspiration here. Ben speaks on: -his book An Axe for the Frozen Sea -authentic ways to navigate suffering and find unexpected gifts in the valley -his own writing journey and what he learned from interviewing nearly 20 legendary living poets -the power of beauty and wonder to redeem almost anything -and so much more Kimberly shares about: -how they connected, in the most serendipitous way -what Ben's work and story mean to her -the craft of poetry as she shares her own -and so much more This is an episode you won’t want to miss! You can find Ben Palpant here: Ben Palpant [https://www.benpalpant.com/] (2) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ben_palpant/] You can buy his book here: An Axe for the Frozen Sea: Conversations with Poets about What Matters – The Rabbit Room Store [https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/an-axe-for-the-frozen-sea-conversations-with-poets] LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY HERE: To hear more and connect with our community, please visit www.TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [http://www.thewayback2ourselves.com/]. We offer editing, counseling, teaching, and publishing services, as well as cohorts and retreats. Get full access to My Way Back at thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe [https://thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

S2:E7- Getting Through What You're Going Through with Tanner Olson

The Way Back Podcast is brought to you by TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [http://thewayback2ourselves.com/], with co-host and producer Edward Holmes [https://open.substack.com/users/56531309-edward-holmes?utm_source=mentions] and founder Kimberly Phinney [https://substack.com/profile/122923004-kimberly-phinney], an English professor, author, editor, and counselor, who is a doctoral candidate in Community Care and Counseling. Her poetry collections, Of Wings and Dirt [https://a.co/d/6227jmC] and Exalted Ground [https://a.co/d/4xerD4T], are available wherever books are sold. She is an award-winning poet and educator, and her book on art, faith, and belonging will debut with Baker Books in 2027. Come join Kimberly as she sits down with Tanner Olson, author, poet, speaker, and founder of Written to Speak. In this hope-filled episode, friends Tanner and Kimberly discuss his new book, Getting Through What You're Going Through, and how we can endure with hope and faith through hard times. This episode is equal parts fun and deep, since it's unscripted! If you're going through something or love someone who is, then this podcast episode is for you--and so is Tanner's new book, which you can pick up wherever books are sold. So, come, friend, and sit down with us. We think you’ll find some solace and inspiration here. Tanner speaks on: -his new book Getting Through What You're Going Through -authentic ways to navigate hard times with hope and faith -his writing journey and shares some of his poetry -the cause of hope that is near to his heart and what he's doing to help those who need the message most -and so much more Kimberly shares about: -her journey with hope through hard times -three words that matter most to someone who is struggling This is an episode you won’t want to miss! You can find Tanner Olson here: Tanner Olson | author, poet, and speaker [https://www.writtentospeak.com/] Tanner Olson | Substack [https://substack.com/@tannerolson] (1) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/writtentospeak/] You can buy his book here: Getting Through What You're Going Through | Tanner Olson [https://www.writtentospeak.com/gtwygt] LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY HERE: To hear more and connect with our community, please visit www.TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [http://www.thewayback2ourselves.com/]. We offer editing, counseling, teaching, and publishing services, as well as cohorts and retreats. Get full access to My Way Back at thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe [https://thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

S2:E6- He Saw That It Was Good with Sho Baraka

The Way Back Podcast is brought to you by TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [http://thewayback2ourselves.com/], with co-host and producer Edward Holmes [https://open.substack.com/users/56531309-edward-holmes?utm_source=mentions] and founder Kimberly Phinney [https://substack.com/profile/122923004-kimberly-phinney], an English professor, author, editor, and counselor, who is a doctoral candidate in Community Care and Counseling. Her poetry collections, Of Wings and Dirt [https://a.co/d/6227jmC] and Exalted Ground [https://a.co/d/4xerD4T], are available wherever books are sold. She is an award-winning poet and educator, and her book on art, faith, and belonging will debut with Baker Books in 2027. Come join Kimberly and Edward as they sit down with Sho Baraka & Good Culture [https://substack.com/profile/69450363-sho-baraka-and-good-culture], music artist, professor, writer, and editor at Christianity Today. In this timely episode, while the world and our country find themselves in deep turmoil and unrest, Sho unpacks with Kimberly and Edward how creatives and leaders can engage thoughtfully and faithfully with a culture in need. If you are an artist, writer, or leader who is wondering, “How can my craft and care make a real difference in the world today?” then this episode is for you. If you are an artist, writer, or leader wondering, “How do I engage authentically and meaningfully without losing my soul (or mind, for that matter)?” then this episode is for you. So, come, friend, and sit down with us. We think you’ll find some solace and inspiration here. Sho speaks on: -his popular book And He Saw That It Was Good: Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken World -his “gold and shadows” theory in art, faith, and culture -how, when, and why an artist should engage with the culture -the deep need for engaged Christian creatives as border walkers and in the church -sustainable rhythms and practices for artmaking and engaging online -what it means to be rooted and real in our stories and art -the power of grittiness and true storytelling in the Bible -his unique perspectives as a creative polymath -and so much more This is an episode you won’t want to miss! You can find Sho Baraka here: Sho Baraka | Creative Christian Lifestyle [https://www.shobaraka.com/] (3) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amishobaraka/] Sho Baraka | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/shobaraka] LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY HERE: To hear more and connect with our community, please visit www.TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [http://www.thewayback2ourselves.com/]. We offer editing, counseling, teaching, and publishing services, as well as cohorts and retreats. Get full access to My Way Back at thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe [https://thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

S2:E5- Sitting with Your Grief with Natasha Smith

The Way Back Podcast is brought to you by TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [file:///C:/Users/msphi/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml], with co-host and producer Edward Holmes [https://open.substack.com/users/56531309-edward-holmes?utm_source=mentions] and founder Kimberly Phinney, an English professor, author, editor, and counselor, who is a doctoral candidate in Community Care and Counseling. Her poetry collections, Of Wings and Dirt [https://a.co/d/6227jmC] and Exalted Ground [https://a.co/d/4xerD4T], are available wherever books are sold. She is an award-winning poet and educator. Come join Kimberly as she sits down with Natasha Smith, certified grief coach, podcaster, and author of Can You Just Sit with Me? and Black Woman Grief. In this timely episode, while the world and our country find themselves in deep turmoil and unrest, Natasha and Kimberly talk about the many ways we experience and survive grief. If you are feeling heavyhearted and a bit lost with everything you see happening—in our world and in your personal journey—then this episode is for you. Come, friend, and sit with us. We think you’ll find some solace here. Natasha speaks on: -her grief story and the powerful lessons she learned -God’s nearness to the brokenhearted -the deep need for Jesus AND counseling -busting grief myths that have been hurting us -Why would a GOOD God allow BAD things to happen to GOOD people? -Can anything good ever come from our grief? -How can we be more present in our grief and the grief of others? -and so much more This is an episode you won't want to miss! You can find Natasha here: https://imnatashasmith.com/ [https://imnatashasmith.com/] (7) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/imnatashasmith/] Can You Just Sit With Me? with Natasha Smith | Substack [https://imnatashasmith.substack.com/]   LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY HERE: To hear more and connect with our community, please visit www.TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [file:///C:/Users/msphi/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml]. We offer editing, counseling, teaching, and publishing services, as well as cohorts and retreats. Get full access to My Way Back at thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe [https://thewayback2ourselves.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]