What I’m Reading—And Why It Matters
The Voices, Questions, and Stories Shaping My Life
I spend a lot of time with Scripture. It’s the foundation of my writing, preaching, teaching, coaching, and prayer life. Scripture is where I return—again and again—for grounding, challenge, wisdom, and grace.
But alongside Scripture, I also read extensively. I believe God can speak through many voices, and I’ve learned that staying grounded often means staying curious. I’m a lifelong learner—always listening for wisdom in stories, science, theology, resistance movements, leadership frameworks, and more. Learning doesn’t just inform what I do; it shapes who I am becoming.
We’re now halfway through 2025, and as I continue to build Hearing Beyond the Noise, I want to share a midyear reflection: a glimpse into the books shaping my soul, my leadership, and my perspective so far this year. These aren’t just titles on a list. They are conversation partners. Some have helped me make sense of change. Others have strengthened my emotional resilience, deepened my understanding of justice, or reawakened my hope. Sharing them here offers you a glimpse into what’s been shaping me—and maybe encourages you to reflect on what’s shaping you, too.
Spirituality & Inner Life
In a noisy world, inner silence is both a gift and a necessity. These books helped me nurture the parts of the soul that aren’t always visible but shape everything else—our relationships, our resilience, and our ability to respond to God’s call with depth and integrity.
Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson, MD
Healing isn’t separate from your spiritual life—it’s a vital part of it. Thompson weaves together neuroscience and faith to show how naming your story can bring you closer to God.Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr
Rohr says we’re all addicted—not just to substances, but to the illusion that we can control or earn our way to wholeness. This book invites us to surrender to grace instead of striving to deserve it.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Wholeness doesn’t come from striving—it comes from releasing who you think you’re supposed to be. Brown’s reflections on shame, courage, and belonging serve as a guide for living authentically.
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
Naming emotions is the first step toward healing them. This book helps readers broaden their emotional vocabulary and develop deeper connections—with themselves and others.Why I Believe by Dr. Henry Cloud
Cloud explores faith through the lens of reason, psychology, and real-world experience—providing thoughtful responses to honest questions.Trust by Dr. Henry Cloud
Trust is built in layers—and lost in moments. Cloud’s practical framework helps us understand how to rebuild trust in broken systems and strained relationships.Meditations: The Philosophy Classic by Marcus Aurelius
Written almost two thousand years ago by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, these reflections surprisingly still resonate today—reminding us to stay grounded in purpose, resist the pull of ego and distraction, and live each day with integrity.
Leadership & Change
In times of disruption, faithful leadership is not about going back to what was—it’s about discerning what’s possible. These books provided me with tools and language to handle uncertainty, envision a future, and walk with others toward renewal instead of retreat.
Leading Change by John P. Kotter
Change doesn’t happen because we want it to—it happens because we lead it. Kotter outlines the steps for turning vision into action, especially when resistance is strong.
Dare to Shift by Dr. Michael Bowie & Dr. Stephen Handy
This book calls the Church to stop waiting for “normal” to return—and instead cultivate a right-side-up mindset grounded in spiritual resilience, innovation, and mission.The Adept Church by Douglas Powe, Jr.
Churches that thrive in changing times are those willing to learn, adapt, and engage their communities in new ways. Powe offers a practical and hopeful vision for transformation.
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Saying no isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. McKeown helps leaders focus on what matters most and eliminate distractions that drain energy and purpose.
Reset by Dan Heath
Sometimes what’s broken isn’t just the process—it’s the starting point. Heath challenges us to rethink how we define problems before we try to solve them.
Maximize Your Influence by Phil Cooke
If you want to make an impact in the digital age, you need more than good ideas—you need clarity, creativity, and courage. Cooke offers guidance for faith-based communicators ready to engage the public square.
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
You don’t need to be an expert to share what you’re learning. Kleon encourages creatives (and leaders) to be open, generous, and visible along the way.
Justice, Culture & the Bigger Picture
To hear beyond the noise, we must name the noise—especially the noise of injustice, fear, false narratives, and silence. These books challenged me to see more clearly, listen more deeply, and stay alert to the systems and stories that shape our shared lives. They remind me that faith isn’t meant to shield us from the world but to call us more fully into it—with love, courage, and truth.
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Framed as a letter to his son, Coates vividly addresses the realities of Black life in America with haunting honesty. His words serve as a call to witness—and a challenge to reckon with history.
The False White Gospel by Jim Wallis
Wallis exposes how whiteness has been mistaken for righteousness in the American church. He offers a passionate, theologically grounded call to rediscover the gospel of justice, truth, and love.
Blueprint for Revolution by Srdja Popovic
Nonviolent resistance isn’t just idealistic — it’s strategic. This book shares stories of real movements that changed the world through creativity, courage, and grassroots power.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
In a world flooded with information and noise, Harari provides big-picture thinking about democracy, technology, identity, and what it means to be human today.
Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Building on his earlier work, Gladwell examines what causes ideas to spread and what prevents meaningful change from stalling. This is a reminder that transformation is rarely straightforward.
The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Through the lens of ecology, Kimmerer invites us to envision economies and communities grounded in reciprocity rather than extraction. This offers a poetic, prophetic vision of interconnected life.
Relationships, Emotion & Community
If love is the heart of Christian discipleship, then learning how to connect—how to really see, hear, and understand others—is essential. These books delve into the emotional, social, and psychological dynamics that influence our relationships and communities, especially in a fragmented world.
The New Emotional Intelligence by Travis Bradberry
Emotional intelligence isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a crucial component of healthy relationships and successful leadership. Bradberry explains it as practical skills that anyone can develop.
Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi, PhD
A fascinating look at what makes a meaningful life. Oishi explores how personal well-being, connection to others, and contribution to the larger world all come together.
How to Know a Person by David Brooks
Brooks provides a powerful reminder that deep listening is a sacred act. This book explores the art of making others feel truly seen—something our culture and churches desperately need.
Together is Better by Simon Sinek
A simple yet powerful book about the importance of shared vision, belonging, and courage. It’s a leadership book disguised as a story—and it works.
Fiction That Feeds the Soul
Stories tend to sneak truth past our defenses. These novels captured something raw and genuine about race, grief, justice, and redemption—and they reminded me that storytelling is a spiritual act.
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
A gritty southern noir that confronts the darkness of racism and violence but still explores grace, identity, and moral clarity.
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
A revenge story with heart, this novel explores fatherhood, loss, and the cost of hate. It's a brutal yet redemptive journey through brokenness and reconciliation.
What I’m Reading Now
These two books speak directly into my current season—one through the lens of adaptive leadership, the other through a bold reimagining of a classic American story.
Tempered Resilience by Tod Bolsinger
Leadership demands more than just strategy—it calls for inner resilience. Bolsinger provides a compelling reflection on how leaders are shaped through struggle and refined through surrender.
James by Percival Everett
A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the enslaved Jim’s point of view, James reimagines the American story with sharp insight and literary brilliance.
Closing Invitation
That’s a glimpse of what has been shaping me so far this year. If any of these titles speak to your heart, I hope you’ll consider picking one up. More than that, I hope you’ll keep listening—beyond the noise of certainty, shame, fear, or comfort—and into the deep, courageous places where learning becomes transformation.
If you’re reading something that’s touching you this year, I’d love to hear about it. Let’s keep the conversation going.