JL Gerhardt is an author and partner at Hazefire Studios, where she and her husband, Justin Gerhardt, collaborate on the podcast Holy Ghost Stories. Gerhardt joins the table to talk about one of Hazefire’s recent podcast projects: "The Happiest Saddest People."

JL Gerhardt writes and narrates these episodes, which are a memoir of her own life, with reflections of faith, memory, and loss. It’s also really excellent. Just the first episode alone is emotionally gutting and profound. And this memoir—which is also a theological reflection—takes place in the context of a beautifully produced podcast.

Recent Episodes

You Can't Judge a Book . . .

Join our cohosts in a discussion of what makes a book cover good, bad, memorable, or even misleading.

Beneath, Between, Beyond

Middle grade fantasy author Carolyn Leiloglou returns to the pub table to chat about the conclusion of her award-winning Restorationists trilogy, Beyond the Far Horizon (available 09/09/2025).

What Our Favorite Colors Say About Us

Can our favorite colors tell us something about ourselves? Join us as we turn to painter Mark Rothko's masterful approach, using the relationship between color and human brain to engage his audience.

The Happiest Saddest People

Author JL Gerhardt and her husband Justin collaborate on the podcast Holy Ghost Stories. Gerhardt joins the table to talk about one of their recent projects: "The Happiest Saddest People."

All Aboard the Grandparents Express

Author Leilani Mueller’s new chapter book, All Aboard the Grandparents Express, explores grief, loss, and imagination from the perspective of its 8-year-old narrator.

It's Never Too Late for Beach Reads

Summer may be over, but Beach Reads are always relevant. Is it possible to be the sort of person who cares deeply about the great stories, and who also enjoys a fun beach read?

Carving Light From Darkness

Kreg Yingst’s medium of choice is printmaking. Join Mandy and guest co-host Isaac Hans as they talk with Kreg about his art, his books, and how the very act of making art can be a prayer.

Superheroes and the Science of the Imagination

Meredith Davis, author of the Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor series, joins the pub table to discuss how her stories use superheroes to explore themes of friendship, integrity, and self-control.

Navigating the Nonfiction Market

Will Parker Anderson, a senior editor and writing coach, discusses how to navigate the often fraught waters of the Christian nonfiction market, and how we can all help support work that is excellent and edifying.

Sharing Is Caring

Join the hosts at the roundtable as they talk about their favorite obsessions: the art and artists they love so much, they want the world to love them too. What does this impulse say about the impact of art on our hearts? How can shared (or not shared) affinities shape community?

Believe to See Podcast

A podcast of the Anselm Society Arts Guild. Join host Matt Mellema, Mandy Houk, Christina Brown, and a rotation of guests at the digital pub table to explore how art and storytelling matter for faith and to connect our stories, great stories, and the Great Story.

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