1-800-366-3383
customerservice@chalicepress.com
In this Q&A, Suzanne Nadell, author of Wired to Lead: Being the Leader the Church didn't Think You Could Be, shares who most wants to read her book, defends the state of journalism, and tags her favorite line of the book. (Hint: it's on page 78.)
Do you have a moment when you realized “this needs to be a book?” I felt the nudge strongly during both of my cancer battles. But I couldn’t let it go after the last round in 2019. I told a group of friends I was going to do it in 2020. Then COVID hit and we all know that was a crazy year. But in December of 2020 I got serious. A string a phone calls that led to encouragement led to a situation where I never turned back.
How long did it take you to write the manuscript? Because of my profession and required approvals it was a long and windy process. Overall about 15 months.
What are you most passionate about right now? Right now I’m passionate about showing compassion. I think it’s because I’ve realized we all need it, including myself.
What are you reading now – for work, for fun, for personal growth? Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others (and Yourself) by David Zahl. For fun I’m reading Remembering You by Tricia Goyer
What do you hope readers will take away from your book? I hope the book does a few things. 1) Leads Christians to realize that sometimes the Church has a lot of room to improve when it comes to compassion, grace, and loving others. Some people are finding that more in places OUTSIDE the church. 2) To embrace the talents God gives everyone, no matter their gender. 3) I also hope it inspires people to do their own research and soul-searching when it comes to beliefs and teaching.
What inspired your book? Life.
What is the most inspiring feedback you've received from a reader so far? Just hearing “Great Job” from my mentors and coaches. Their support means so much to me.
What is your writing process? Since I have a full-time job I write a lot on vacations and weekends. I love to find a cozy Airbnb and just write, write, write.
What makes this book relevant today and different from other books on the subject? I believe at a time when journalists are under attack it’s important for people to know journalists are not agenda-driven, non-Christians. The principles that drive journalism align with the Bible.
What was the biggest challenge of writing your book? Time. Since 2020, the busy news cycle hasn’t stopped. So, the time to write the book and reach an audience has been the most challenging. Oh, and I have a family too. ☺
What was the most inspiring feedback you’ve received? The first time someone referred to me as an author. That inspired me to go further.
What was your biggest surprise writing your book? That I could do it. I don’t know why, but when it came to actually to getting my first draft written I was ecstatic. I literally danced.
What’s one of your favorite passages from the book? “Let our kids see the Priscillas and Aquilas! Let our kids hear us speaking about them in ways that honor how God has gifted each person (man and woman) differently! Let our kids see it’s an act of worship when people use those gifts and when we honor their use of those gifts! Let our kids see that we can elevate others without belittling ourselves!’"
If you could share this book with one person — past, present, or future — who would that be?
What’s something you’d like to do that you haven’t done yet? Go to Europe. I turn 50 this year. So this may be a present to myself.
Is there a day in your life you would like to relive, good or bad? The days that hang with me are the days that I realize my words or actions hurt people. You can apologize but you can never put them back in a bottle.
Describe yourself in five words.
What are a few things on your bucket list?
What’s your proudest achievement? My son. He’s a pretty cool human being.
When do you feel the most courageous? When I’m fighting for something or someone I believe in.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Hang in there. You’ll find your people and you’re going to be amazed how it all works out.
What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever received? That I don’t receive feedback well. It was tough. But I needed to hear it.