Andrew Roycroft is a freelance editor and writer. He has published poetry in a number of Irish and British literary journals, has produced work for BBC Radio 4, has contributed to Arts Council Northern Ireland projects, and written commissioned work for New Irish Arts. Andrew is also a regular contributor to the Rabbit Room Poetry community. His Substack is New Grub Street. In this episode, Andrew and Jonathan Rogers talk about calling, Substack, and Seamus Heaney.

Andrew Roycroft is a freelance editor and writer. He has published poetry in a number of Irish and British literary journals, has produced work for BBC Radio 4, has contributed to Arts Council Northern Ireland projects, and written commissioned work for New Irish Arts. Andrew is also a regular contributor to the Rabbit Room Poetry community. His Substack is <a href="https://andrewroycroft.substack.com/">New Grub Street</a>. In this episode, Andrew and Jonathan Rogers talk about calling, Substack, and Seamus Heaney.

Andrew Roycroft's Calling Hasn't Changed.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/1ca44560-3ce5-42de-93a2-b3ec001ea644/transcript

Marsh Moyle is an interesting man. He’s an Englishman but he grew up in Malta. He and his wife Tuula lived for 17 years in Vienna when the Iron Curtain divided Europe. There they organised book translation and distribution while researching the beliefs, practices, and problems of life under communism. In the post-communist period, they lived in Slovakia for 16 years, establishing publishing houses in seven countries. They also ran a learning community and held seminars with student groups in Central Europe, Russia, and Ukraine, committed to awakening the imagination, encouragng critical thinking, and fostering a deeper practical understanding of biblical ideas. Marsh is the author of Rumours of a Better Country: Searching for Trust and Community in a Time of Moral Outrage. In this episode, Marsh and Jonathan Rogers talk about utopianism, individualism, and the surprising truth that we can only be our true, distinct selves when our selves are shaped by the people around us.

Marsh Moyle is an interesting man. He&rsquo;s an Englishman but he grew up in Malta. He and his wife Tuula lived for 17 years in Vienna when the Iron Curtain divided Europe. There they organised book translation and distribution while researching the beliefs, practices, and problems of life under communism. In the post-communist period, they lived in Slovakia for 16 years, establishing publishing houses in seven countries. They also ran a learning community and held seminars with student groups in Central Europe, Russia, and Ukraine, committed to awakening the imagination, encouragng critical thinking, and fostering a deeper practical understanding of biblical ideas. Marsh is the author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/rumours-of-a-better-country-searching-for-trust-and-community-in-a-time-of-moral-outrage-marsh-moyle/40184f181d06f686?ean=9781789744675&amp;next=t">Rumours of a Better Country: Searching for Trust and Community in a Time of Moral Outrage</a>. In this episode, Marsh and Jonathan Rogers talk about utopianism, individualism, and the surprising truth that we can only be our true, distinct selves when our selves are shaped by the people around us.

Marsh Moyle Spreads Rumours of a Better Country

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/0c8993f1-189e-4ab5-a47e-b3e5003558aa/transcript

This week's episode is an old favorite from 2024. Leif Enger writes novels about good people living through bad times. His new book, I Cheerfully Refuse, epitomizes what the Los Angeles Tines calls Enger's “musical, sometimes magical and deeply satisfying kind of storytelling.” In this episode, Leif Enger and Jonathan Rogers talk about dystopian fiction; courage, literacy, and hope; and the bass guitar.

This week's episode is an old favorite from 2024. Leif Enger writes novels about good people living through bad times. His new book,&nbsp;I Cheerfully Refuse, epitomizes what the Los Angeles Tines calls Enger's &ldquo;musical, sometimes magical and deeply satisfying kind of storytelling.&rdquo; In this episode, Leif Enger and Jonathan Rogers talk about dystopian fiction; courage, literacy, and hope; and the bass guitar.

Leif Enger on I Cheerfully Refuse (from the archives)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/568f7b06-7025-4ba2-b208-b3d7002c86bc/transcript

Joyce McPherson has written ten biographies–as well as several middle-grade novels–in 45 minute increments snatched from a busy life as a mother of nine and as a college instructor. Her most recent book is a biography of Jane Austen. In this episode, Joyce McPherson and Jonathan Rogers talk about how her mother convinced her to start writing for publication when she had two small children. We talk about research for biographies and historical fiction. And we talk about Joyce’s experiences with both traditional publishing and self-publishing.

<a href="https://joyce-mcpherson.blogspot.com/">Joyce McPherson</a> has written ten biographies&ndash;as well as several middle-grade novels&ndash;in 45 minute increments snatched from a busy life as a mother of nine and as a college instructor. Her most recent book is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8WK2ZTQ?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100">a biography of Jane Austen</a>. In this episode, Joyce McPherson and Jonathan Rogers talk about how her mother convinced her to start writing for publication when she had two small children. We talk about research for biographies and historical fiction. And we talk about Joyce&rsquo;s experiences with both traditional publishing and self-publishing.

Joyce McPherson Writes Books 45 Minutes at a Time

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/20bb645f-2244-4264-b448-b3d000d6f330/transcript

Winfield Bevins is an author, a visual artist, and the founding director of Creo Arts, a non-profit that exists to bring beauty, goodness, and truth to the world through the arts. His new book is How Beauty Will Save the World: Recovering the Power of the Arts for the Christian Life. In this episode, Winfield and Jonathan Rogers talk about how beauty will save the world. They also talk about a modern Renaissance of the arts, moving from beauty to truth, and making space for Sabbath rest.

Winfield Bevins is an author, a visual artist, and the founding director of <a href="https://www.creoarts.org/">Creo Arts</a>, a non-profit that exists to bring beauty, goodness, and truth to the world through the arts. His new book is <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-beauty-will-save-the-world-recovering-the-power-of-the-arts-for-the-christian-life-winfield-bevins/f6e3c5064b0ddec3?ean=9781964817101&amp;next=t">How Beauty Will Save the World: Recovering the Power of the Arts for the Christian Life</a>. In this episode, Winfield and Jonathan Rogers talk about how beauty will save the world. They also talk about a modern Renaissance of the arts, moving from beauty to truth, and making space for Sabbath rest.

Winfield Bevins Thinks Beauty Will Save the World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/2908c7df-946c-44b0-8749-b3c900213900/transcript

Daniel Nayeri’s latest novel—The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story—recently received the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. In this episode Daniel speaks with Jonathan Rogers about Iran’s role in World War II, food writing, fathers, providence, the wisdom of children, and incompetent spies.

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts, a six-week small-group intensive starting January 12. The Habit Writer Development Cohorts provide practical tools, insights, and encouragement that writers at all experience levels. 

Daniel Nayeri&rsquo;s latest novel&mdash;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-teacher-of-nomad-land-a-world-war-ii-story-daniel-nayeri/d254bd270f6ddc78?ean=9781646145669&amp;next=t">The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story</a>&mdash;recently received the National Book Award for Young People&rsquo;s Literature. In this episode Daniel speaks with Jonathan Rogers about Iran&rsquo;s role in World War II, food writing, fathers, providence, the wisdom of children, and incompetent spies.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="TheHabit.co/Cohorts">The Habit Writer Development Cohorts</a>, a six-week small-group intensive starting January 12. The Habit Writer Development Cohorts provide practical tools, insights, and encouragement that writers at all experience levels.&nbsp;

Daniel Nayeri on The Teacher of Nomad Land

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/b289f60a-2db3-41d1-96c5-b3b400c55fa6/transcript

You probably know Sally Lloyd-Jones as the author of the Jesus Storybook Bible, a book that has been around for almost twenty years. She has also published more than twenty other books for children, including Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing, His Royal Highness King Baby, and Skip to the Loo: A Potty Book. Her latest is Jesus, Our True Friend. Sally is committed to delight, and that makes her a delight herself. This is a delightful conversation between Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jonathan Rogers.

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at TheHabit.co/Development.

You probably know Sally Lloyd-Jones as the author of the Jesus Storybook Bible, a book that has been around for almost twenty years. She has also published more than twenty other books for children, including Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing, His Royal Highness King Baby, and Skip to the Loo: A Potty Book. Her latest is <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/jesus-our-true-friend-stories-to-fill-your-heart-with-joy-sally-lloyd-jones/d07b6811717f1ed2?ean=9780310160885&amp;next=t">Jesus, Our True Friend</a>. Sally is committed to delight, and that makes her a delight herself. This is a delightful conversation between Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jonathan Rogers.
This episode is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="TheHabit.co/Cohorts">The Habit Writer Development Cohorts</a>. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at <a href="TheHabit.co/Development">TheHabit.co/Development</a>.

Sally Lloyd-Jones on Delight

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/f2200eb5-e7c5-4b6b-8c80-b3ad003e689f/transcript

Galahad and the Grail is Book 1 of Merlin’s Isle, Malcolm Guite’s retelling of the King Arthur legends in ballad form. It releases in March of 2026. In the prelude to Galahad and the Grail, a voice shimmering in the morning air says:

Poet, take up the tale–
Take up the tale the land still keeps,
In earth and water magic sleeps,
The dryad sighs, the naiad weeps,
But you can lift the veil.

Malcolm has taken up a very old tale and lifted the veil on stories that have lingered in the traditions of the British Isles longer than the English language itself. 

Scholar and teacher Junius Johnson is taking up the tale in another way. Starting in January 2026, Junius is teaching a 20-week online class on the King Arthur legend. He describes the class as a chance to see for yourself why this story has fascinated the imagination for so many centuries.

In this episode, Malcolm, Junius talk with Jonathan Rogers about how King Arthur rode into their lives, and what these stories have meant to them.

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at TheHabit.co/Development.

<a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/merlins-isle?_pos=1&amp;_psq=galahad&amp;_ss=e&amp;_v=1.0">Galahad and the Grail</a> is Book 1 of Merlin&rsquo;s Isle, Malcolm Guite&rsquo;s retelling of the King Arthur legends in ballad form. It releases in March of 2026. In the prelude to Galahad and the Grail, a voice shimmering in the morning air says:
Poet, take up the tale&ndash; Take up the tale the land still keeps, In earth and water magic sleeps, The dryad sighs, the naiad weeps, But you can lift the veil.
Malcolm has taken up a very old tale and lifted the veil on stories that have lingered in the traditions of the British Isles longer than the English language itself.&nbsp;
Scholar and teacher <a href="https://academics.juniusjohnson.com/">Junius Johnson</a> is taking up the tale in another way. Starting in January 2026, Junius is teaching <a href="https://academics.juniusjohnson.com/">a 20-week online class on the King Arthur legend</a>. He describes the class as a chance to see for yourself why this story has fascinated the imagination for so many centuries.
In this episode, Malcolm, Junius talk with Jonathan Rogers about how King Arthur rode into their lives, and what these stories have meant to them.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="TheHabit.co/Cohorts">The Habit Writer Development Cohorts</a>. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at <a href="TheHabit.co/Development">TheHabit.co/Development</a>.

Malcolm Guite and Junius Johnson Take Up the Tale

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/ce0fc265-07d5-4a0a-a744-b3a600bf6dbf/transcript

Besides being the proprietor of the much-loved Substack, Miller's Book Review, Joel Miller is the author of a new book that has made its way into the world after a thirteen-year gestation. In The Idea Machine: How Books Built Our World and Shape Our Future, Joel make the case that books are one of the most important but overlooked factors in the making of our contemporary world. Books don't just preserve ideas, yes, but they also provoke new ones: they are true tools for thinking. This episode of The Habit Podcast was recorded live as part of a book-release celebration at The Rabbit Room’s North Wind Manor. 

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at TheHabit.co/Development.

Besides being the proprietor of the much-loved Substack, Miller's Book Review, Joel Miller is the author of a new book that has made its way into the world after a thirteen-year gestation. In The Idea Machine: How Books Built Our World and Shape Our Future, Joel make the case that books are one of the most important but overlooked factors in the making of our contemporary world. Books don't just preserve ideas, yes, but they also provoke new ones: they are true tools for thinking.&nbsp;This episode of The Habit Podcast was recorded live as part of a book-release celebration at The Rabbit Room&rsquo;s North Wind Manor.&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by <a href="TheHabit.co/Cohorts">The Habit Writer Development Cohorts</a>. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at <a href="TheHabit.co/Development">TheHabit.co/Development</a>.

Joel Miller's Idea Machine

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/223d6f7c-8aa1-41b0-b95c-b39f00bd3ec2/transcript

Mischa Willett is a poet and writing professor. He is the Director of the Whitworth Writers' Workshop MFA in Creative Writing at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. In this episode, Mischa Willett and Jonathan Rogers talk about MFA programs, failure as a means of getting work done, and apology letters written by robots.

This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero" a free mini-class, TheHabit.co/Development.

Mischa Willett is a poet and writing professor. He is the Director of the <a href="https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/academics/mfa-in-creative-writing/">Whitworth Writers' Workshop</a> MFA in Creative Writing at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. In this episode, Mischa Willett and Jonathan Rogers talk about MFA programs, failure as a means of getting work done, and apology letters written by robots.
This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero" a free mini-class, <a href="TheHabit.co/Development">TheHabit.co/Development</a>.

Mischa Willett Is Equipping a New Generation of Writers.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/acd110e1-0ae6-43ac-a8f9-b398003b54da/transcript

Conversations with writers about writing, hosted by Jonathan Rogers.

The Habit Podcast

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