🎙️ What does it mean to tell stories that dive beneath the surface—into faith, doubt, image, and grace?

In this powerful episode of Lead with Storytelling, we sit down with author, professor, and spiritual director Cynthia Beach to explore her debut novel, The Surface of Water by Intervarsity Press . Through her characters and rich metaphors, Cynthia wrestles with spiritual leadership, identity, and the deep human longing to be fully known.

Drawing on her 30-year teaching career and a lifelong passion for fiction writing, Cynthia opens up about the creative process, the psychological and spiritual layers of storytelling, and the tension between missional and formational approaches to Christian fiction.

🌊 Whether you're a writer, reader, or someone who’s ever wrestled with image and authenticity, this conversation is for you.

✨ In This Episode

✅ Why creativity matters as a form of self-care and soul-work

✅ The danger of self-sabotage in the creative life

✅ Writing complex characters—especially those different from ourselves

✅ Exploring faith through metaphor, mystery, and nuance

✅ The tension between preaching and storytelling in Christian fiction

✅ Behind the scenes of The Surface of Water and its unforgettable characters

📚 Books Mentioned:

The Surface of Water by Cynthia Beach: https://www.ivpress.com/the-surface-of-water

Creative Juices for Writers by Cynthia Beach

The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

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