S2:E13 An Empty Nest Pilgrim Soars on THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Facing an empty nest after more than twenty years of child-raising, English author Carolyn Gillespie (https://www.carolyngillespie.co.uk) confronted her existential crisis on the Camino de Santiago. Through steps and miles, laughter and tears, she found her future self. Her first book, Pilgrim, shares the story of her emotional transformation and the resilient spirit of middle-aged women.

DISCUSSIONS FROM THIS EPISODE:

WWW: https://www.carolyngillespie.co.uk

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/carolyngillespiewrites/

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MEET OUR GUEST:   Carolyn Gillespie

Born and raised in Scotland, Carolyn Gillespie now lives and writes in the South of England. She has written a collection of poems for children called Wonder Child and recently finished her first novel, Visitation. Her work has appeared in Molecule Tiny Lit Mag, The Crank, Oddity magazine, Coin Operated Press’s Poetry zine and Scotland Outdoors. She has been shortlisted for the Soutar, Wells and Fish prizes and was Highly Commended in the Wells Festival of Literature. Carolyn was a panellist at the Guildford new Writers Festival, 2020, where she read an extract from Pilgrim. She runs creative writing workshops in schools.

MEET THE HOST:  Kevin Donahue

Husband. Father. Backpacker. Pilgrim. Author.

In 2019, Kevin Donahue set off from his home in the United States to begin a pilgrimage journey spanning both years and miles, walking across continents to the ancient end of the world, to kneel at the tombs of eight Apostles. Available for Easter 2023, Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal is Kevin's first-hand account of the people and places found along the way to inspire questions and enlighten answers about faith, hope, and love.

BOOK: 

Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal

Available from print and digital booksellers for Easter 2023, Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal is the first-person account of a reluctant pilgrim navigating the eternal questions of faith while walking along the world’s revered paths. The book follows one man’s journey through Portugal and Spain on the Camino de Santiago, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean connecting California’s Missions Trail, across England’s ancient Pilgrims’ Way, and onward towards Rome via Europe’s forgotten footpaths on a journey of soulful discovery. More than a travelogue, Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal is a first-hand account of a pilgrim's journey and the people and places he finds to inspire questions and enlighten answers about faith, hope, and love.

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