We recently connected with EDJ and have shared our conversation below.

EDJ, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve been a writer since I was a little girl, but podcasting is new to me since last year.
Probably the best advice I can give is to first listen to relevant podcasts you want to imitate. Listen to the way interviewers present their questions or their information. Use scripts and questions prompts. Read up on the people you are interviewing, the books they’ve written, the work they do. Show an interest in their personal stories. Hone in on the topics that are of interest to your listeners and to you also. Try to relax during interviews or while recording episodes and remember you can always edit out the parts where you trip up, or waffle on, or have to pause and refer back to your notes. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for a job well done.
I am still on this Podcast-learning adventure, honing my interviewing skills, my podcast editing skills, and even my storying telling skills. But the more that I do this work, the more I realize how important it is to be authentically “me.” To find and share my voice, my experiences, my opinions. Those are the things that listeners relate to the most!
You can find me on the Where Do We Go From Here? Podcast on Spotify, Apple etc. and especially on Patreon.

EDJ, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I fell in love with stories and story-telling when I was very young. I sat at my grandfather’s computer and attempted to write my first book at age eleven. I finally finished writing two novels in my late teens. I even sent one to a publisher (and received a rejection letter). Meanwhile I had to earn money so I could support myself, so I worked in a variety of industries: customer service, administration, and eventually built a small business teaching piano. Being able to work for myself as a piano teacher freed up enough time to write, read, and blog on my website. I published more fiction in my late twenties and by that time I was beginning to deconstruct my faith and move from evangelicalism to a more progressive understanding of Christianity. I also found myself writing much more non-fiction, finishing a theology degree and having conversations in the Christian “deconstruction” sphere. I started listening to podcasts about faith, deconstruction, and particularly about purity culture, right around the time that I got married, had two children, and moved from Australia to America. Just last year, after publishing a memoir, my favorite podcast and its hosts put the call out for new co-hosts. I saw this as a huge opportunity and even though I was extremely nervous, I knew I had to “feel the fear and do it anyway.” About six months later the remaining host asked if I would take over the podcast and, again, I knew this opportunity was too good to pass up. As much as I don’t like language around “signs” it none-the-less felt like a “God thing.” And it coincided with my youngest child starting kindergarten, so I am able to read, write and podcast during school hours! I am still finding my own work-life balance at this stage of life, and still learning my craft, but I have a sense of being in the right place at the right time.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

If you are in the deconstruction / progressive Christian camp, I highly recommend attending the Wild Goose Festival. I have made so many connections through this festival. I’ve had guests on the podcast that I met at Wild Goose. I have been able to follow and read books by more authors in this niche genre. I’ve met other writers, I’ve met publishers, I’ve met podcasters, I’ve listened to pastors, teachers, leaders and thinkers on similar journeys and engaging in similar conversations. I’ve gathered book endorsements and supporters through the festival.

There are similar events and groups worth checking out as well like:
The New Evangelicals podcast and platform with its numerous resources.
Theology Beer Camp with Tripp Fuller if you are interested in Open and Relational theology.
Women Evolve Conference with Sarah Bessey.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My dream as a child was to become a writer. I am motivated by the child in me who loved to hear stories, tell stories, watch stories on television, and write stories that impact the world. Memoir has become my favorite form of story telling and I have been intrigued to discover how much podcasting is another form of memoir sharing.
The deeper mission that drives my creative goal of story telling through writing and podcasting, is the desire to see the Christian religion and faith evolve further toward love, grace, empathy, justice and ethics. I write and I podcast to make the world a better place. To transform our spiritual lives. To evolve alongside everyone else. To share in the stories, the meaning-making, the authentic-communication, the lived experiences and opinions of myself and others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://evangelicaldeconstructionjourney.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edj.eadyjay/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090135581557
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EDJ.EadyJay
• Other: Where Do We Go From Here Podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/wheredowegopod