By Tara Edelschick, Kathy Tuan-MacLean and Ann Boyd

Tara Edelschick and Kathy Tuan-MacLean: Moms at the Well

“God loves you and there is a community of women who can love you too." — Tara Edelschick

Authors Tara Edelschick and Kathy Tuan-MacLean join us on the podcast to discuss parenthood, life in the academy, and the path toward spiritual transformation. 

How does the work of parenting create space for deep spiritual transformation? Authors Tara Edelschick and Kathy Tuan-MacLean join us on the podcast to discuss their book Moms at the Well: Meeting God through the Mothers of Scripture. Tara and Kathy describe their own journeys of struggle and growth as they each parented young children, developing a friendship along the way that sustained them through their darkest moments. They co-authored Moms at the Well — a robust, 7-week Bible study experience — to encourage other parents through struggle and into an experience of grace. We talk together about their graduate school studies and the ways academic spaces can offer particular challenges to parents. It was really fun to talk with these two friends and I think you’ll enjoy their wisdom and their delightful personalities. And if you listen to the end of the credits, you’ll hear an excerpt from our conversation where Tara and Kathy offer their best advice for new grad students and young faculty members.

Also — I’m pleased to tell you that InterVarsity Press is offering a discount for listeners of this podcast. Just use the code IVPPOD25 for 25% off and free shipping when you purchase Moms at the Well at ivpress.com. And even better — if you’re interested in purchasing these books for use in a group and plan to buy five or more books, use the code IVPGROUP25 for 40% off and free shipping. 

One more thing! We at Women Scholars and Professionals would like to invite you into a study of Moms at the Well by “taking a sip with us”  and joining us to discuss the first chapter. The online event will take place on June 10 at 9 pm eastern time. If there is enough interest, we will figure out how to do the rest together! Even if you can’t make that particular date, you can fill out the form to indicate your interest in events like these.

So jump right in! We're so glad you're here.

You can listen on iTunes or at The Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Further resources for this interview:

Photo by Kristin Hardwick on StockSnap

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About the Author

Tara Edelschick (EdD, Harvard) is a teacher, a writer, mother of three, and grandmother. For three decades, she has worked as an educator, teaching public high school students in New York, graduate students at Harvard's School of Education, homeschoolers in Massachusetts, and incarcerated men taking college courses through the Emerson Prison Initiative. In her church, you can find her speaking at a women's conference or marriage retreat, teaching Sunday school, gathering mothers for prayer and Bible study, or leading retreats for families.

Kathy Tuan-MacLean (PhD, Northwestern) is the national faculty ministry director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where she invites and resources faculty to follow Jesus together. Since joining InterVarsity in 1990, she has led numerous students and faculty in Bible study, spiritual formation, and leadership development. She is also a spiritual director who has led marriage ministry and women's retreats. Kathy is married to Scott, and they have three young adult children and an overanxious mini labradoodle.

Ann is the Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast host and the interim editor for The Well. She has worked for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 1997, exploring her interests in community, spiritual formation, and writing. Ann has a BM in Music Education from Northwestern University and lives in Chicago, Illinois with one husband, two spunky teenage daughters, and three snuggly cats. You’ll often find Ann baking sweet treats in the kitchen while listening to a podcast or audiobook.

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