
John lives a monastic lifestyle, and is notoriously hard to get a hold of. Here are the best ways to stay connected with him.
Author, Founder of Wild at Heart Ministries
John Eldredge
He is also president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's Kingdom. John grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles (which he hated), and spent his boyhood summers on his grandfather’s cattle ranch in eastern Oregon (which he loved). John met his wife, Stasi, in high school (in drama class). But their romance did not begin until they each came to faith in Christ, after high school. John earned his undergraduate degree in Theater at Cal Poly, and directed a theater company in Los Angeles for several years before moving to Colorado with Focus on the Family, where he taught at the Focus on the Family Institute.
John earned his master’s degree in Counseling from Colorado Christian University, under the direction of Larry Crabb and Dan Allender. He worked as a counselor in private practice before launching Wild at Heart in 2000. John and Stasi live in Colorado Springs with their three sons (Samuel, Blaine, and Luke), their golden retriever (Oban), and two horses (Whistle and Kokolo). While all of this is factually true, it somehow misses describing an actual person. He loves the outdoors passionately, and all beauty, Shakespeare, bow hunting, a good cigar, anything having to do with adventure, poetry, March Madness, working in the shop, fly fishing, classic rock, the Tetons, fish tacos, George MacDonald, green tea, buffalo steaks, dark chocolate, wild and open places, horses running, and too much more to name. He also uses the expression “far out” way too much.
In episode three of this five-part series, John, Blaine, and Allen talk about additional ways to reorder our internal world. What do our loves and emotions reveal about us? Why do grace and forgiveness change us from the inside out? And how can what upsets us expose our disordered desires—and provide an opportunity for healing? Show Notes: The book referenced is https://thehowofhappiness.com/ by Sonja Lyubomirsky. The C. S. Lewis essay is https://www.noeljesse.com/the-trouble-with-x-by-c-s-lewis/ The Wild at Heart podcast with Mary Ellen Owen is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkh8lllcbys. The Emotions Wheel is available https://b-cdn.wildatheart.org/files/podcasts/wildatheart/843/feelings-wheel.webp. Send your questions about this series to mailto:questions@wildatheart.org. Keywords: Spiritual Warfare, Christianity, Internal World, Emotional Regulation, Emotions Wheel, Forgiveness _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/du9a8ad5ozs The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
As this series progresses, John, Blaine, and Allen discuss ways to govern one’s internal reality through the categories of thoughts, emotions, and loves. This episode focuses on our thoughts. How do we align our thought life with Jesus? What are the Circle of Interest and the Circle of Control—and which should we pursue most? And how can we curate the countless inputs vying for our attention? Show Notes: Enter the Ladder of Love October 2026 retreat lottery https://wildatheart.org/events/ladder-of-love-2026. The books referenced are https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits by James Clear, https://www.henrinouwen.org/books/the-return-of-the-prodigal-son by Henri Nouwen, and https://a.co/d/0dkicin6 by John Bunyan. The Thoughts, Words, and Deeds Examen by Valerie McIntyre can be found https://b-cdn.wildatheart.org/files/podcasts/wildatheart/875/thoughts-words-deeds.pdf. The Pause App is available https://wildatheart.org/pause. Send your questions about this series to mailto:questions@wildatheart.org. Keywords: Spiritual Warfare, Emotional Regulation, Prayer _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/m3fimr9enim The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
Each of us has a personal kingdom, or domain, for which we are responsible. Whether it’s our home, apartment, or dorm room, we have a place where what we say happens. What does it look like, in the midst of a chaotic world, to bring order and shalom to our realm? This new five-part series begins with John, Blaine, and Allen talking about why God made us to rule, how we’re meant to grow in this responsibility, and what role consecration and invocation play in banishing chaos from our domain. Show Notes: The books referenced are https://www.amazon.com/man-woman-he-created-them/dp/0819874213 by John Paul II and Michael Waldstein and https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982137274/?bestformat=true&k=7%20habits%20of%20highly%20effective%20people&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_12_de&crid=28e2dtt4411kz&sprefix=the%207%20habits by Stephen R. Covey. Send your questions about this series to mailto:questions@wildatheart.org. Keywords: Spiritual Warfare, Emotional Regulation, Intentionality, Christianity, Prayer _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/btxjqx0xbre The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
Just like the physical realm has the law of gravity, there are laws to the spiritual realm. John and Allen offer several practices to enhance your prayer life and explain why they work—including how to triumph through the power of the blood of Christ, break the enemy’s legal claims, proclaim standing orders, and more. Show Notes: To help support the ministry of Wild at Heart, give https://my.wildatheart.org/wah/ Find the Pause App https://wildatheart.org/pause. The Daily Prayer (and other prayers) can be found at http://wildatheart.org/prayers. Keywords: Prayer, Communion, Eucharist, Christian, Spiritual Warfare _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/1gxqqoexvim The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
This series wouldn’t be complete without hearing young women’s thoughts about young men. John and Stasi invite Zoe and Hope into the studio to share what they’re noticing about men in their twenties when it comes to relationships, faith, aspirations, work, and the future. The conversation starts here and continues with a Bonus Content episode in your Wild at Heart podcast feed. Keywords: Young Women, Young Men, Relationships, Christianity, Emotional Maturity, Emotional Intelligence, Dating _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/ng7_5biucce The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
This special bonus content episode features the continuation of the conversation from Part 3 of the series as John and Stasi shift the focus to ask Hope and Zoe about the world of young women. The beginning of this conversation is available in your Wild at Heart podcast feed. Keywords: Young Women, Young Men, Relationships, Christianity, Emotional Maturity, Emotional Intelligence, Dating _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/wwauo3kljiu The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
This special bonus content episode features the continuation of the conversation between John, Conrad, Matt, and Jack in Part 2 of the Young Men series. The first half of this conversation is available in your Wild at Heart podcast feed. Show Notes: https://wildatheart.org/books/walking-with-god by John Eldredge and https://www.amazon.com/living-simply-golden-voice-chrysostom/dp/0764800566 are available wherever you buy books. Keywords: Young Men, Young Adults, Christianity, Finances, Career, Prayer, Marriage _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/koybbuewy6o The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
What are young men struggling with in this particular cultural moment—and how is God meeting them there? This three-part series continues as John and Conrad invite Matt and Jack into the studio to ask about the longings, questions, opportunities and pain points of men in their twenties. The second half of this conversation is available as Bonus Content in your Wild at Heart podcast feed. Show Notes: Part 1 of this series is available https://ransomedheartministries.subspla.sh/zkt5d53. https://wildatheart.org/books/walking-with-god by John Eldredge and https://www.amazon.com/living-simply-golden-voice-chrysostom/dp/0764800566 are available wherever you buy books. Keywords: Young Men, Young Adults, Christianity, Finances, Career, Prayer, Marriage _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/bxxwz0gqrf4 The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
What are the core questions, concerns, and aspirations of young men today? In the first of this three-part series, we invite Zane and Desi into the studio to hear their stories and ask what their generation thinks about God, masculinity, career, dating, marriage, and church. The second half of this conversation is available now as bonus content wherever you watch or listen to Wild at Heart podcasts. Show Notes: https://wildatheart.org/books/fathered-by-god by John Eldredge and https://wildatheart.org/books/killing-lions by John and Sam Eldredge are available wherever you buy books. Blaine Eldredge’s essay “I Solved the Marriage Problem” is available at https://blaineeldredge.substack.com/p/bonus-i-solved-the-marriage-problem. Keywords: Young Adults, Christianity, Relationships, Finances, Career _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/cn6dhg12cxw The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
This special bonus content episode continues the conversation with Zane and Desi from Part 1 of the Young Men series. Show Notes: https://wildatheart.org/books/fathered-by-god by John Eldredge and https://wildatheart.org/books/killing-lions by John and Sam Eldredge are available wherever you buy books. Blaine Eldredge’s essay “I Solved the Marriage Problem” is available at https://blaineeldredge.substack.com/p/bonus-i-solved-the-marriage-problem. Keywords: Young Adults, Christianity, Relationships, Finances, Career _______________________________________________ There is more. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org Support the mission or find more on our website: http://wildatheart.org/ or on our app. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wild-at-heart/id427657975 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplash.thechurchapp.ransomedheart&pcampaignid=web_share Watch on https://youtu.be/rgd_mncsqba The stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty-free-tracks/when-laid-to-rest More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-minute-pause/id1471913620 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ransomedheart.pause&pcampaignid=web_share
As a new year begins, Stasi is joined in the studio by her husband, John, for a thoughtful conversation about the pace of life and guarding our hearts. Together they reflect on what the past year has taught them and the gentle invitation of Jesus to slow down, release false urgency, and come back—again and again—to a life deeply rooted in Him. ….. SHOW NOTES: ….. VERSES: Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Psalm 46:10 (NIV) – He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ Matthew 11:29–30 (NIV) – Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. John 4:32 (NIV) – But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about.’ John 4:34 (NIV) – Then Jesus said, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’ Psalm 1:1–3 (NIV) – …That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NIV) – But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Revelation 22:2 (NIV) – Down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ….. RESOURCES Explore the Pause App – Includes the One Minute Pause, 30 Days to Resilience, and the Experience Jesus 20-day program. Simple, beautiful, practices to help you slow down and deepen your union with God. https://www.pauseapp.com/http://www.pauseapp.com The Daily Prayer from Wild at Heart – Now available within the Pause App or on the Wild at Heart App. https://wahe.art/4e1nsig Lectio 365: https://wahe.art/3ckq7xg Pray As You Go: https://pray-as-you-go.org Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. By John Mark Comer https://bit.ly/4jzthci Stasi’s new book, The Ladder of Love, will be available October 2026. We are so excited, and will keep you updated! Dallas Willard quote: “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” ….. Don’t Miss Out on the Next Episode—Subscribe for Free Subscribe using your favorite podcast app: YouTube – https://wahe.art/4h8dell Spotify Podcasts – https://wahe.art/496zdfn Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42e0oz1 Amazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3m9u6hj