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Listen: Lauren Class Schneider talks with Eljon Wardally, playwright of “Blooming in Dry Season” at The WP Theater Headshot and Production photos by C. Stephen Hurst Photo 1 – [Melanie Matthews & Brian Richardson] Photo 2- [Brian Richardson & Nikyla Boxley] “Class Notes” actively covers New York's current theater season on, off, and off-off read more
Writer Melissa Febos discusses her latest book The Dry Season, wherein she explores the transformative—and at turns erotic—year she spent celibate; journalist Evan Ratliff takes us into the uncanny world of his podcast Shell Game, which examines the consequences of unleashing an AI version of himself out into the world; and psychedelic cumbia punk band Tropa Magica perform "Price of Life" from their album III.
Have you ever felt like God was silent, distant, or absent? In this powerful conversation, Kyle Strobel shares how seasons of spiritual dryness can become some of the most transformative moments in a believer's life. Discover why faith isn't built on emotional highs and how God often does His deepest work in the desert. If you're struggling with doubt, discouragement, or spiritual fatigue, this episode offers biblical hope and practical encouragement.About the GuestKyle Strobel is the Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation and Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology at Talbot School of Theology. He is a theologian, author, speaker, and co-author of When God Seems Distant and Where Prayer Becomes Real. His work focuses on spiritual formation, prayer, and helping Christians experience genuine transformation in Christ. Reasons to ListenHope for Dry Seasons Discover why spiritual dryness is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong, but may actually be evidence that God is deepening your faith and transforming your heart. Practical Spiritual Formation Learn practical ways to continue praying, reading Scripture, and walking with Jesus when emotions and motivation disappear. Biblical Perspective Gain a deeper understanding of the Psalms, suffering, weakness, and God's surprising work in seasons that feel spiritually barren. Big TakeawaysGod Works in Deserts Seasons of spiritual dryness are often places where God exposes deeper issues of the heart and teaches us to trust Him by faith rather than feelings. Feelings Aren't Faith God's presence is not measured by emotional experiences. Mature faith learns to trust God's promises even when He feels distant. Weakness Reveals Need Spiritual growth happens when we recognize how much we need God's forgiveness, grace, and transforming work. The Psalms Give Language Honest prayers found in the Psalms help believers bring their confusion, disappointment, and struggles directly to God. Transformation Over Information Knowledge alone cannot produce Christlike character. Spiritual formation requires surrender, humility, and dependence on Jesus. Missional ChallengesPray the Psalms Daily Spend the next seven days praying one Psalm each day, allowing Scripture to shape your honest conversations with God. Practice Honest Prayer Bring one area of discouragement, doubt, or weakness directly to God instead of hiding it behind religious performance. Encourage a Struggling Believer Reach out to someone who may be experiencing spiritual dryness and remind them that God remains faithful even when He feels distant. Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Kyle Strobel 01:00 – Kyle's Personal Journey Through Spiritual Darkness 05:00 – Discovering the "Dark Night of the Soul" 10:00 – Why Information Doesn't Equal Transformation 13:00 – Understanding Spiritual Dryness in the Christian Life 16:00 – The Lifeline of Honest Community 17:00 – Learning to Pray the Psalms 19:00 – Why Churches Rarely Discuss Spiritual Dryness 25:00 – Passion vs. Deep Affection for Jesus 26:00 – Moving from Zeal to Steadfast Faithfulness 34:00 – What Churches Need to Understand About the Desert 37:00 – Practical Ways to Walk with God in Dry Seasons 43:00 – Finding God in Weakness 44:00 – Final Encouragement for Struggling Believers 45:00 – Fun Questions & Favorite Psalms 49:00 – Where to Connect with Kyle StrobelGuest Website & Social MediaBuy 'When God Seems Distant' BookWebsiteKyle Strobel Substack #themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #Jesus #KyleStrobel #SpiritualFormation #PrayerLife #ChristianGrowth #FaithJourney #WhenGodSeemsDistant #ChristianPodcast
What Do You Do When God Feels Far? Pursuing Jesus in Dry Seasons (Selected Scriptures) - Blake Ring
Melisa Febos joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about romantic obsessions, celibacy as a portal to freedom, living her way into a corner and having to fight her way out, leading with scene and story and plot, taking back the sovereignty of her own mind and body, approaching oneself as a protagonist, leaving out what isn't central to the story, remembering memoir is not a transcription of a time lived, radical feminists, exercising agency and self-reclamation, living an examined life, integrating memories that were indigestible to us in the moment, the project of looking at ourselves honestly, and her most recent book, now in paperback The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex. Ronit's upcoming workshop: Writing Dynamic Memoir: From Lived Experience to Gripping Story https://www.lmcmurtrylitcenter.org/workshops/writing-dynamic-memoir-from-lived-experience-to-gripping-story Also in this episode: -deepending friendships -memoir-plus digressions -writing about our obsessions Books mentioned in this episode: Will and Attention by Meghan O'Gieblyn Canon by Paige Lewis Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenberg Melissa Febos is the national bestselling author of five books, including Abandon Me, Girlhood—which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism, Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative, and, most recently, The Dry Season. Her awards and fellowships include those from the Guggenheim Foundation, LAMBDA Literary, the National Endowment for the Arts, The British Library, The Black Mountain Institute, MacDowell, the Bogliasco Foundation, The American Library in Paris, and others. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, The New Yorker, The Sun, The New York Times Magazine, The Best American Essays, Vogue, The Best American Travel and Food Writing, and New York Review of Books. Febos is a Roy J. Carver Professor at the University of Iowa, where she teaches in the Nonfiction Writing Program. She lives in Iowa City with her wife, the poet Donika Kelly. Connect with Melissa: Website: https://www.melissafebos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafebos Purchase book via bookshop: This is for the pre-order paperback for The Dry Season https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dry-season-a-memoir-of-pleasure-in-a-year-without-sex-melissa-febos/f1c8367d8e351d91?ean=9780593685150&next=t - Ronit Plank bio and links: Ronit Plank is a writer, teacher, and editor whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, Poets & Writers, River Teeth's Beautiful Things, The Rumpus, Salon, Hippocampus, The New York Times, and elsewhere, earning Best of the Net, Best Microfiction, and multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. Her memoir When She Comes Back was a Book Riot Best True Crime Book and Kirkus Reviews calls it, “An intimate, intuitive, emotionally vivid family account that finds hope in reconciliation". Ronit is also the author of the award-winning short story collection Home is a Made-Up Place, and her work has been anthologized in Selected Memories, Vol. 2: 15 Years of Hippocampus Magazine and Manna Songs: Stories of Jewish Culture and Heritage. Ronit is the Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, teaches memoir at a host of venues including the University of Washington's Continuum Program, Antioch University, and 92NY's Roundtable, and is host of the podcast Let's Talk Memoir and the Substack Let's Talk Memoir. Find her on social media @ronitplank Website: www.ronitplank.com Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ When She Comes Back: https://ronitplank.com/when-she-comes-back/
On the latest Whisper in the Wings from Stage Whisper, we welcomed on the playwright Eljon Wardally, to talk about her new work Blooming in Dry Season. This was such a great conversation about a beautiful show that is perfect for the summer season. So be sure that you tune in and turn out for this fabulous production!Blooming in Dry SeasonMay 28th- June 28th@ WP TheaterTickets and more information are available at new newfederaltheatre.com And be sure to follow Eljon to stay up to date on all her upcoming projects and productions: eljonwardally.squarespace.comnewfederaltheatre.com
Facing the island's third driest season on record and a massive 37% rainfall deficit, WASCO has ramped up water trucking operations and community valving to cope with critically low water levels across multiple treatment plants.
In this episode, Bobby Bosler speaks honestly about a morning when he felt spiritually dry, empty, and numb even while preparing to preach and serve the Lord. Rather than pretending that surrendered Christians never experience seasons of silence, he reminds young people that even faithful believers can feel worn out, thirsty, and distant from God. Through prayer, worship, and Psalm 42, Bobby explains how the Lord began to turn that emptiness into spiritual refreshment. The episode encourages listeners not to panic when they feel dry, but to seek God, worship Him, and trust His promises even when the feelings do not immediately change. Topics Discussed Serving God while still feeling empty The danger of assuming spiritual people never experience dryness Why silence and numbness do not mean God has left you Depending on God's promises when feelings do not change The connection between spiritual thirst and Psalm 42 Worshiping God in the middle of dryness Seeking God honestly instead of hiding discouragement How God can use spiritual thirst to draw your heart back to Himself Key Takeaways You can be surrendered to God and still have moments where your soul feels dry. Spiritual numbness should not drive you to discouragement, but to deeper dependence on God. God's promises are still true even when your feelings do not immediately confirm them. The answer to spiritual thirst is not pretending, performing, or quitting; it is going to the Lord. Worship can turn your attention away from your emptiness and back to God's worthiness. Psalm 42 reminds us that thirsting for God is not unusual, but it must lead us to seek the living God. Don't stay in the silence. Seek His face, praise Him, and let Him meet the need of your soul. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.
Bryan Bates - A Dry Season by High Praises Church
As Florida experiences one of the worst droughts in decades, we examine the main drivers of the state's water scarcity crisis.
Our spiritual life with Jesus can sometimes feel dry, especially when life gets busy. Listen in as we discuss how to stay on fire for God when it feels like you're not. Apply for Asher's coaching now: https://betterthanbeforebrand.com/pages/mens-fitness-coachingApply for Michelle's coaching now:https://betterthanbeforebrand.com/pages/womens-fitness-coachingIf you would like to support our ministry, please donate here: https://www.venmo.com/forthegoodministry or email business.michelleann@gmail.com for other payment methods.New Life Discord: https://discord.com/invite/vk2gfv8PFAFor The Good Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forthegoodministry/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forthegoodministryAsher's Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asherarwine/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asherarwine_Michelle's Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellearwine/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michellearwine_#christianpodcast #christianliving #christianity
Embodied Faith: on Relational Neuroscience, Spiritual Formation, and Faith
Host Geoff Holsclaw interviews Dr. Kyle Strobel (Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot School of Theology) about his book When God Seems Distant: Surprising Ways God Deepens Our Faith and Draws Us Near. Kyle explains “early consolation” as a common season where God gives pleasure and zeal that can mask unformed character, and how this can be followed by “the desert” where these early consolations are removed. But these seasons are God's gift to reveal the heart and grow love.Follow Dr. Strobel on his Substack.Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.Stay Connected: Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).
Orgasm help, screen-obsessed husbands, dry seasons, and everything in between- nothing is off-limits in this Q&A episode! Alana, Kyle, and Tiera answer real questions from Christian couples about mismatched libidos, period sex, how to talk about sex with friends, oral sex, and more! Watch the episode on YouTube!! Our Episodes: Getting out of a slump Period Sex episode Landon Hairgrove's episode Joey Odom's episode Oral Sex: with Anatomy of Us ORAL SEX: Cunnilingus ORAL SEX: Fellatio Our Products: Yes No Maybe freebie Resources: Nixit: Use code KINGDOM15 for 15% off! My Pixie Cup: Use the code KINGDOM10 for 10% off your purchase! Heart Of Dating Podcast She Comes First Passionista Intimately Us app LubeLife (Clean Flavoured Lube) My Counselor Online (Christian Sex Therapy) You get $25 off your first month when you sign up with our link Better Help Join Unite & Ignite Want more from Kingdom Sexuality? Come hang out! Instagram Facebook Group Patreon Website Approximate Time Stamps: Introduction and Welcome - 0:14 Q&A Session Announcement - 0:33 Patreon Shoutout and Benefits - 0:56 Verse of the Day: Romans 12:9 - 1:35 Sponsor Break - 1:46 Dealing with Dry Periods in Marriage - 1:51 Handling Different Sex Drives - 4:11 Tips for Enjoying Different Positions - 8:01 Sex During Menstruation - 10:38 Tension During Intercourse - 12:59 Talking About Sex in Christian Circles - 14:36 Dealing with Screen Obsession - 19:00 Idolizing Future Spouse - 25:51 Best Practices for Oral Sex - 28:17 Closing Prayer - 31:36 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dry seasons are temporary, but the joy found in Jesus is lasting.► Gather with us live online and in person every Sunday at 9:30a and 11:00a: https://live.fbcw.org/► Watch/listen to our services: https://fbcw.org/worship-with-us/► Give to help our mission: https://fbcw.org/give/
What does it mean to take a break? Going on a walk or doodling during a meeting? Maybe turning off your phone and reading a book? For author Melissa Febos, years of destructive relationships left her in need of a different kind of break — giving up sex. She embarked on a year-long journey of abstinence from romantic and sexual relationships, documenting what she discovered about herself in “The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex.” Guests: Melissa Febos: author of five books, including "The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex" Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this message from the series Resist the Drift, couples are invited to rediscover the life‑giving wells of their relationship. Pastor Matt reminds us that every marriage faces dry seasons, but God calls us to return to the sources of love, faith, and commitment that once nourished us. Just as Isaac reopened the wells his father once dug and persisted in clearing out the debris that blocked his wells, couples are encouraged to remove the distractions and habits that hinder connection. In doing so, God leads them to a spacious place of renewed intimacy. This sermon offers a gentle but powerful call to trust God to refresh what feels empty and to breathe new life into the covenant of marriage.
Thomas Marriott, General Manager of Exotics Keeper breaks down what he observed during his second trip to New Caledonia — this time during the dry season. Many keepers picture New Caledonia as consistently humid and tropical year-round, but Thomas shares the surprising environmental shifts that occur during the dry season and how those shifts directly impact wild Crested Gecko behavior and habitat use. Thomas also shares insights from a recent stint in Australia studying wild Bearded Dragon habitats and how field data can challenge some of the assumptions we make in captivity. If you care about aligning captive care more closely with natural history, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/245-exotic-keeper/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://exoticskeeper.com/https://www.instagram.com/exoticskeeper/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Thomas Marriott0:00 Intro2:49 Welcome Thomas - New Caladonia Overview15:05 Crested Gecko Behavior in Dry Season19:25 How to Replicate Crested Gecko Habitat21:47 Wild Crested Gecko Diet (wet vs dry season)25:27 Zoo Med Creatures Roly-Poly Kit26:40 Why Crested Geckos do well in Captivity36:34 Environmental Readings - When are Crested Geckos Active in the Wild?38:11 Replicating Environmental Cues 42:30 Other Species found on New Caladonia 55:36 BioDude TerraFanua Substrate56:38 Bearded Dragons in the Wild - impaction & body condition1:17:40 Leopard Geckos - the plan to find wild specimens 1:21:55 Closing Thoughts
There have been times in my life when I've lost the fire for God. That same hunger I once had to pray felt nonexistent. Reading the scriptures no longer clicked for me, and it felt like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube in my mind. Everything I knew about building my relationship with God just felt dry.You too might have felt a similar experience or are going through that right now. I want to share with you the most insightful things the Lord has taught me through these dry seasons, the importance they play in your walk with the Lord, and how to get that fire back.Why Do Dry Seasons Happen?Dry seasons aren't usually a "lightning bolt" event; they are often a slow leak.In my life, the dryness came when I got so caught up in wanting to create and help other people that I forgot to help myself. I was so busy trying to make an impact in the Kingdom that I neglected the King.I neglected my Helper (the Holy Spirit), and my cup ran dry.If we aren't continually filled, we have nothing to give.Here are the three most common "leaks":Priorities & Distraction: Like my story, work—or even "ministry"—can become an idol. When our schedule crowds out our intimacy, we lose our source.Unaddressed Sin: Scripture tells us in Isaiah 59:2 that sin creates a barrier. It's not that God leaves us, but sin muffles our ability to hear Him, making the season feel silent.Life Transitions: Sometimes, a sudden change—a move, a loss, a high-stress season—disrupts our rhythm. We are so busy adjusting to the "new" that we stop anchoring in the Eternal.But dryness isn't always the result of failure. Sometimes it is formation.Even Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1). The desert wasn't punishment—it was preparation.Silence does not equal absence.Stillness does not equal abandonment.Read the rest here: https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/the-desert-and-the-fire-navigating
What does it mean to take a break? Going on a walk or doodling during a meeting? Maybe turning off your phone and reading a book? For author Melissa Febos, years of destructive relationships left her in need of a different kind of break — giving up sex. She embarked on a year-long journey of abstinence from romantic and sexual relationships, documenting what she discovered about herself in “The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex.” Guests: Melissa Febos: author of five books, including "The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex" Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Prayer isn't just something we do, but an invitation into a deeper relationship with Jesus. In this episode, Chad and Robert continue the conversation around prayer by exploring what it means to wait on the Holy Spirit. From navigating bitterness and distraction to recognizing the peace that comes from true surrender, this conversation invites us to slow down, open our hands, and trust that God meets us not through effort, but through presence.Subscribe to receive our latest videos!Website: https://www.sunvalleycc.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunvalleycc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunvalleycc/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunvalleyccTo support Sun Valley and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://www.sunvalleycc.com/givingGod loves you no matter who you are, what you've done, or what's been done to you. This is the vision of Sun Valley Community Church, led by Pastor Chad Moore and based in Gilbert, AZ with multiple locations throughout the Phoenix valley.Chapters:00:00 What Does It Mean to Know God?00:48 Waiting on the Holy Spirit01:41 Praying in the Spirit Explained03:55 Word and Spirit Together06:27 Accessing God Through the Holy Spirit07:27 Surrender as the Key08:24 How Bitterness Quenches the Spirit11:30 Recognizing a Lack of Peace13:57 Learning Surrender Through Worship17:34 What God's Presence Feels Like20:08 Making Space to Wait on God23:31 When Prayer Has No Words26:16 Faithfulness in Dry Seasons
Practical ways to upgrade your narrative. Melissa Febos is the national bestselling author of five books, including Girlhood, Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative, and a new memoir, The Dry Season. She is the recipient of awards and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and others. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, The New Yorker, The Best American Essays and others. She is a professor at the University of Iowa. In this episode we talk about: How to "audit" your personal narrative with simple questions Melissa's five-step method for rewriting unhelpful stories Why community, and vulnerability are required for real change; in other words, why it's harder to do this work alone Melissa's own experiences running this playbook with regard to her relationships and her addictions. Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris
In this reflective and timely message, Pr Kenneth shares a heartfelt conversation he had with Pr Ben-Ji, Pr Michelle, and Pr Sandra during their trip to Osaka. Together, they unpack a truth many leaders and believers face: there are seasons in ministry that feel dry, empty, or exhausting — and yet those seasons are not wasted.Pr Kenneth reminds us that when the dry season comes, God invites us to dig deep. Not to strive in our own strength, but to search within what He has already placed inside us. As we dig, we often discover faith, resilience, joy, and spiritual resources we didn't even know were there — because God has been preparing us all along.This message is a gentle but powerful encouragement to keep digging, keep trusting, and keep showing up. Even in dryness, God is forming something deeper in you — and He will come through in His time. When you dig in faith, you'll find that the well isn't empty… God is still there.
As the rains fade across Nigeria, farmers are entering the challenging dry season, a time that truly tests their resilience and creativity.While some embrace irrigation to keep their farms alive, others abandon their fields due to rising costs, water shortages, and harsh weather.In this episode of Nigeria Daily, we explore the real challenges of dry season farming and how farmers can adapt to sustain their crops and livelihoods.
The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly referred to as COP30, is taking place from November 10 to November 21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, which is often referred to as the gateway"to the Amazon Rainforest. In this interview we hear from Musa Ndamba (Mbororo) Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar) Music: 'Libres y Vivas', by Mare Advertencia, used with permission. 'Burn your village to the ground', by The Haluci Nation, used with permission.
Does your life feel like a wasteland? Are you in a season where prayer is a struggle, your vision is blurry, and God feels distant? Maybe it's a dry season relationally, or financially? If you've ever felt like you just can't escape the 'dryness' — this conversation is for you. So how do you navigate the desert? And what are you truly meant to learn in it? In this powerful conversation, Preston sits down with Tim Ross to strip away the clichés about the "wilderness season." They reveal that a dry season isn't punishment; it's an appointed place where God prepares you for your greatest breakthrough. You'll learn: Why the desert experience is mandatory for every believer, and what you're actually supposed to be doing while you're there. The key perspective shift that turns a season of spiritual dryness into a time of incredible dependence and growth. How to stop trying to escape the wilderness and start getting everything God intended for you to gain from it. Don't miss this raw, honest, and empowering guide to navigating dry seasons in life. It's time to stop lamenting your location and start recognizing the powerful work God is doing in the desert.
In this episode of our faith break edition of let's get biblical with Katie, we talk about going through dry seasons. Sometimes we go through boring dead seasons in our walk with Christ. Why is that and what do we need to continue to do? We talk about that in this little faith break edition of let's get biblical! #God #Jesus #ChristianPodcast #Christian #MotivationalPodcastBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/let-s-get-biblical-w-kd-the-comic--2311239/support.
Melissa Febos is the author of The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex, available from Knopf. Febos is the national bestselling author of five books, including Abandon Me, Girlhood—which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism, Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative, and, most recently, The Dry Season. Her awards and fellowships include those from the Guggenheim Foundation, LAMBDA Literary, the National Endowment for the Arts, The British Library, The Black Mountain Institute, MacDowell, the Bogliasco Foundation, The American Library in Paris, and others. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, The New Yorker, The Sun, The New York Times Magazine, The Best American Essays, Vogue, The Best American Travel and Food Writing, and New York Review of Books. Febos is a Roy J. Carver Professor at the University of Iowa, where she teaches in the Nonfiction Writing Program. She lives in Iowa City with her wife, the poet Donika Kelly. *** Otherppl with Brad Listi is a weekly podcast featuring in-depth interviews with today's leading writers. Available where podcasts are available: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Get How to Write a Novel, the debut audio course from DeepDive. 50+ hours of never-before-heard insight, inspiration, and instruction from dozens of today's most celebrated contemporary authors. Subscribe to Brad's email newsletter. Support the show on Patreon Merch Instagram TikTok Bluesky Email the show: letters [at] otherppl [dot] com The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we welcome Melissa Febos back to Memoir Nation to discuss her latest book, The Dry Season. Melissa is a fountain of inspiration and information and this episode covers topics as diverse as how to cultivate discernment in our reading to why memoir is the opposite of self-indulgent. We drill down into solitude as a creatively regenerative space, and get into some memoir craft, too. Hard to resist when we have a writing professor on the show. Melissa never disappoints, and this interview is one you'll come back to when you need to fill your creative well. Melissa Febos is the author of five books, including the national bestselling essay collection, Girlhood; the craft book, Body Work (2022), which was also a national bestseller and an LA Times bestseller. Her new memoir, The Dry Season, was published in June 2025. She holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and is the Roy J. Carver Professor at the University of Iowa, where she teaches in the Nonfiction Writing Program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week we welcome Melissa Febos back to Memoir Nation to discuss her latest book, The Dry Season. Melissa is a fountain of inspiration and information and this episode covers topics as diverse as how to cultivate discernment in our reading to why memoir is the opposite of self-indulgent. We drill down into solitude as a creatively regenerative space, and get into some memoir craft, too. Hard to resist when we have a writing professor on the show. Melissa never disappoints, and this interview is one you'll come back to when you need to fill your creative well. Melissa Febos is the author of five books, including the national bestselling essay collection, Girlhood; the craft book, Body Work (2022), which was also a national bestseller and an LA Times bestseller. Her new memoir, The Dry Season, was published in June 2025. She holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and is the Roy J. Carver Professor at the University of Iowa, where she teaches in the Nonfiction Writing Program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sometimes the greatest test of faith is when you cannot feel anything at all. I share what the Lord showed me about those seasons when His presence feels silent and why they may actually be the moments that please Him most. If you have been walking through dryness or struggling to hear God, this word will help you see how to move from silence to strength and discover the door He is opening for your next season. Podcast Episode 1891: The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus: How to Fulfill the Calling on Your Life | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast
Sunday (Evening Service) 7th, 2025
Writer Melissa Febos discusses her latest book The Dry Season, wherein she explores the transformative—and at turns erotic—year she spent celibate; journalist Evan Ratliff takes us into the uncanny world of his podcast Shell Game, which examines the consequences of unleashing an AI version of himself out into the world; and psychedelic cumbia punk band Tropa Magica perform "Price of Life" from their album III.
Memoirists do the generous work of letting us into their lives, and then there are ones like Melissa Febos who also graciously entertain all the new questions their work inspires. Melissa lets me in on the elements of her life and experiences that I’m curious about, from people’s reaction to her job as a dominatrix (as documented in her book Whipsmart) to her year-long trial of celibacy (the focus of her newest book, The Dry Season). Melissa is a writer both precise and elaborate, and I can’t help but compare her to many of the literary greats. We trace the roots of her compulsive behaviors and discuss how seeking new ideals for love and connection can help to find passion in the everyday — even in a conversation. Fail Better is now on YouTube! Watch this episode here. Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Find more video podcasts on our YouTube channel. Stay up to date with Lemonada on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Sarah Loudin Thomas returns to the podcast this week to chat about her latest release, These Blue Mountains. It's a stunning story about German POWs in the US during WWI and a young woman's search for her missing fiancé in the time between the two wars. We talk about what the times were like, what Sarah would have done if she found herself in the heroine's position, and allow her to brag about her sweet dog. Patrons will hear her opinions on the Rocky Mountains vs. the Appalachians. These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin ThomasA moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda is stunned to see Fritz's name in a photograph of an American memorial for German seamen who died near Asheville, North Carolina. Determined to reclaim his body and bring closure to his ailing mother, Hedda travels to the US. Her quest takes a shocking turn when, rather than Fritz's body, his casket contains the remains of a woman who died under mysterious circumstances.Local deputy Garland Jones thought he'd left that dark chapter behind when he helped bury Fritz Meyer's coffin. The unexpected arrival of Hedda, a long-suffering yet captivating woman, forces him to confront how much of the truth he really knows. As they work together to uncover the identity of the woman in the casket and to unravel Fritz's fate, Hedda and Garland grow closer. But with Hedda in the US on borrowed time while Hitler rises to power in Germany, she fears she'll be forced to return home before she can put the ghosts of her past to rest."These Blue Mountains is a masterful tale that weaves together two continents, two wars, and two lives defined by longing and resilience."--PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY, New York Timesbestselling author"North Carolina's mountains hide the secrets of a war long past and a young love cut short in this atmospheric tale of unexpected hope."--LISA WINGATE, New York Times bestselling authorThis inspirational historical fiction is set in the mountains of North Carolina in the tumultuous years before World War II. With threads of intrigue, romance, and an international cast of characters, These Blue Mountainsis the perfect book club pick and Southern fiction read.Get your copy of These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas.Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her historical fiction is often set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia.Sarah is the director of Jan Karon's Mitford Museum in Hudson, NC. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Coastal Carolina University and is the author of the acclaimed novels The Right Kind of Fool–winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year–and Miracle in a Dry Season–winner of the 2015 Inspy Award. Sarah has also been a finalist for the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award and the Christian Book of the Year Award. She and her husband live in western North Carolina.Visit Sarah Loudin Thomas website.
If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right—but still stuck in a dry place—this episode is your reminder that the desert is not your destiny. God specializes in showing up with supernatural provision, unexpected breakthrough, and refreshing where there's been nothing but drought. From Isaiah 41 to Numbers 21, Scripture shows us that God brings rivers to barren heights, fountains to valleys, and water where there's been no sign of rain. Whether you're navigating burnout, waiting on healing, or feeling forgotten—this is your prophetic invitation to believe again. It's time to speak to the dry ground. It's time to say: “Spring up, O well.” Water is coming. Are you ready to stop shrinking and start walking in the fullness of who God says you are? Inside Courage Co., we train worshippers and warriors to walk by faith, rise in identity, and thrive in every season. It's not just a community—it's a movement. Join us: www.courageco.org ✨ And this is your moment.
Just as rain brings life to dry ground, God wants to bring renewal to weary hearts, stagnant situations, and spiritual droughts. The dry places in your life are about to experience a fresh outpouring of His presence, provision, and power.Be part of what God is doing at Mount Holly. To learn more about our ministries, our pastor, and to plan your visit, click here: https://www.mountholly.orgBecause of your generosity, we're able to continue leading people into the life-changing presence of God. If you feel led to give, click here: https://www.mountholly.org/give
As souls on a spiritual journey, striving to deepen our connection with the Supreme Person, Krishna, we inevitably encounter periods that feel dry and unfulfilling. The Bhagavad Gita, in its profound wisdom, speaks of the cyclical nature of life, of happiness and distress arriving like the summer and winter seasons (BG 2.14). These “dry seasons” […] The post Dry Seasons appeared first on Radha Krishna Temple in Utah.
Sex, and the pursuit of it, can feel amazing. But sometimes, cravings for sex lead to unhealthy obsessions, poor choices or a loss of identity. If you're struggling to see a way out of old dating patterns or if you want to pour more into yourself, Melissa Febos, author of The Dry Season, suggests taking a break. In this episode, Febos and others share the benefits they've gotten from temporary periods of celibacy and why you might want to try one too.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Celebrated writer and memoirist Melissa Febos on the art of the memoir, the alchemy of personal experience and literary craft, and how to turn the raw material of life into art. We also her latest book, The Dry Season, where she examines the solitude, freedoms, and feminist heroes Febos found during a year of celibacy.We also talk about:- Writing the unspeakable and undoing shame.- The role of research and personal obsession in memoir.- Finding structure through inventory, list-making & reflection.- Balancing vulnerability with privacy on the page.- How Melissa decides what's hers to tell—and when.- Her advice on discouragement, creative play & sustaining the practice. ABOUT MELISSA FEBOSMelissa Febos is the nationally bestselling author of four books, including Girlhood, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism, and Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative. She has received fellowships and awards from the Guggenheim Foundation, NEA, LAMBDA Literary, the British Library, and more. Her essays appear in The Paris Review, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Best American Essays. She is a full professor at the University of Iowa and lives in Iowa City with her wife, poet Donika Kelly. RESOURCES & LINKS:
Writer and professor Melissa Febos had been in a series of consecutive relationships for decades. Then, one particularly devastating experience led her to take stock of her dependency on sex and love. She says she was in "the right amount of pain" to make a change. For Febos, that period kicked off what would become a year of transformative celibacy. Her new book The Dry Season chronicles the way abstinence from sex and relationships allowed Febos to awaken to her desires, motivations and decisions in a new way. In today's episode, she speaks with Marielle Segarra – host of NPR's Life Kit podcast – about how this year changed her outlook on attraction, attention, dancing, and the divine.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Host Jason Blitman welcomes bestselling author Victoria "V.E." Schwab for a conversation about her remarkable milestone—her 25th book, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. They discuss the profound power of names, exploring how identity shapes both fantasy storytelling and LGBTQIA+ narratives, the impact of representation in literature, and the moment that nearly drove Schwab to walk away from writing altogether. Later, Melissa Febos joins Jason as our Guest Gay Reader, calling in from her treadmill desk, to share what she's been reading as well as more about her new memoir, The Dry Season. Victoria "V.E." Schwab is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts series, Gallant, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Fragile Threads of Power. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.Melissa Febos is the nationally bestselling author of four books, including Girlhood—which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism, and Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative. She has been awarded prizes and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, LAMBDA Literary, the National Endowment for the Arts, the British Library, the Black Mountain Institute, the Bogliasco Foundation, and others. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Best American Essays, Vogue, The Sewanee Review, New York Review of Books, and elsewhere. Febos is a full professor at the University of Iowa and lives in Iowa City with her wife, the poet Donika Kelly. BOOK CLUB!Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERE for only $1July Book: Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan SUBSTACK!https://gaysreading.substack.com/ MERCH!http://gaysreading.printful.me PARTNERSHIP!Use code READING to get 15% off your madeleine order! https://cornbread26.com/ WATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreading FOLLOW!Instagram: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanBluesky: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanCONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com
"I talked to my wife, and she was like, 'You're probably tired. You've been writing this book non stop for six months, and you probably just need a break. Like, go get a gelato and chill out.' And I was like, 'I can't,' then I was like, 'All right, fine, I will.' And then I ate a bunch of ice cream and watched the Pam Anderson documentary on Netflix in the middle of the day. And after, I don't know, four or five days, I had an idea, and I was like, ready to get back to work," says Melissa Febos on Episode 472.Melissa is the author of five books of nonfiction, including her latest, The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex (Knopf).In this conversation, we talk about: Writing in community Literary stardom Being a weirdo Wile E. Coyote The jealousy dragon The theory of bottoms And the liberation of quitting thingsReally rich stuff. You can learn more about Melissa at melissafebos.com and follow her on IG @melissafebos.Order The Front RunnerNewsletter: Rage Against the AlgorithmShow notes: brendanomeara.com
Melissa Febos is the author of five books, including the national bestselling essay collection, GIRLHOOD, which has been translated into eight languages and was a LAMBDA Literary Award finalist, and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. Her craft book, BODY WORK, was also a national bestseller, an LA Times Bestseller, and an Indie Next Pick. Her latest, The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex, is out now. She's the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and the Jeanne Córdova Nonfiction Award from LAMBDA Literary. On today's show, Melissa and Annmarie discuss celibacy, erasure, and how abstaining from romantic entanglements might allow us to see ourselves in radical new ways. Episode Sponsors: Prairie Lights Books – Iowa City's premier indie bookstore since 1978. Perhaps the strength of Prairie Lights reputation lies in the reading series of local, national and international writers who have read their works which were broadcast live on Iowa Public Radio and Television stations and which was the only regular literary series of its kind. All of this could not have been possible without a loyal customer base and a dedicated staff. Learn more or shop online at prairielights.com. Books Are Magic – A family-owned independent bookstore in Brooklyn, NY committed to being a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive space for all people. We believe that books are indeed magic and that literature is one of the best ways to create empathy, transportation, and transformation. Stop by or shop online at booksaremagic.net. Books by Melissa Febos The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex Body Work Abandon Me Whip Smart: The True Story of a Secret Life Girlhood Here's our favorite Alan Rickman in Sense and Sensibility. Follow Melissa Febos: Instagram: @melissafebos Facebook: @melissafebos Substack: @melissafebos melissafebos.com Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To some, the act of writing a memoir might seem daunting, invasive, or navel-gazing. But excavating memories, noticing patterns, and revisiting events from other points of view can lead to healing—regardless of whether your work gets published. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Melissa Febos. Melissa is the bestselling author of five books, including Girlhood—winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism—and a forthcoming memoir, The Dry Season. She teaches us how to create our own narrative in ways that are safe for you and empathetic of others. If you liked this episode check out: Carvell Wallace on Another Word for Love, How To Start Writing (with Anna Quindlen and John Dickerson), and How To Get Your Book Published Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.
To some, the act of writing a memoir might seem daunting, invasive, or navel-gazing. But excavating memories, noticing patterns, and revisiting events from other points of view can lead to healing—regardless of whether your work gets published. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Melissa Febos. Melissa is the bestselling author of five books, including Girlhood—winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism—and a forthcoming memoir, The Dry Season. She teaches us how to create our own narrative in ways that are safe for you and empathetic of others. If you liked this episode check out: Carvell Wallace on Another Word for Love, How To Start Writing (with Anna Quindlen and John Dickerson), and How To Get Your Book Published Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Want more How To!? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the How To! show page. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To some, the act of writing a memoir might seem daunting, invasive, or navel-gazing. But excavating memories, noticing patterns, and revisiting events from other points of view can lead to healing—regardless of whether your work gets published. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Melissa Febos. Melissa is the bestselling author of five books, including Girlhood—winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism—and a forthcoming memoir, The Dry Season. She teaches us how to create our own narrative in ways that are safe for you and empathetic of others. If you liked this episode check out: Carvell Wallace on Another Word for Love, How To Start Writing (with Anna Quindlen and John Dickerson), and How To Get Your Book Published Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Want more How To!? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the How To! show page. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To some, the act of writing a memoir might seem daunting, invasive, or navel-gazing. But excavating memories, noticing patterns, and revisiting events from other points of view can lead to healing—regardless of whether your work gets published. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Melissa Febos. Melissa is the bestselling author of five books, including Girlhood—winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism—and a forthcoming memoir, The Dry Season. She teaches us how to create our own narrative in ways that are safe for you and empathetic of others. If you liked this episode check out: Carvell Wallace on Another Word for Love, How To Start Writing (with Anna Quindlen and John Dickerson), and How To Get Your Book Published Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Want more How To!? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the How To! show page. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join Krystal and Alexa as they talk about navigating dry seasons; specifically, how we get into dry seasons, how we should navigate dry seasons, and ways the Lord can use dry seasons to grow us. Subscribe to our Podcast Newsletter! Products Mentioned: Rivers of Renewal Related Resources: New Morning, New Mercies Journal Prayers for Today Notepad - Green Laurel Connect with us: The Daily Grace Co. | Facebook | Instagram | Daily Grace Blog | The opinions of guests on the Daily Grace podcast do not represent the opinions of The Daily Grace Co., and we do not necessarily endorse the resources that they recommend or mention on the show. We believe it is valuable to hear from a variety of guests, even if we do not agree in all areas. As always, the statements made by hosts and guests on the show should be tested against God's Word, the only authority on truth.