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Episode 156: Radical Empathy in Space: Faith, Identity & Finding Yourself with Christian Hurst
Description
In This Episode:
Christian’s journey from growing up in the Mormon church to embracing humanism
The danger of absolutism — and why “I don’t know” is powerful
Storytelling as survival and self-interrogation
How sci-fi (and yes, Star Trek!) shapes empathy
Why his protagonist Lily Starling wakes up without her memory
Writing queer characters without making queerness the “issue”
Radical agency in female protagonists
Loneliness, outsider identity, and reaching younger readers
Writing in a linear, Shakespeare-inspired process
Creativity vs. day jobs — and practical advice for artists afraid to leap
Leadership, compassion, and why being a good boss matters
What to expect from Book 3 (hint: darker themes, institutional tension)
Realistic optimism and the small ways we impact the world
About Christian’s Books:
Voyage of the Salamander – Book One
Storm Riders – Book Two
Book Three currently in progress
A sweeping sci-fi series centered on Lily Starling, a queer young woman navigating identity, agency, institutions, and connection in a vast and evolving universe.
Follow Christian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churstpublishing/
Christian's Website: https://www.churstpublishing.com/
Buy Christian's Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0aCOLl8l
Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ
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