John Eldredge

Get regular updates from John

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

John Eldredge is an author (you probably figured that out), a counselor, and a teacher.

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.


Books by John Eldredge


Recent Podcasts with John Eldredge

E821 | Hiding Our Hurts

April 28, 2025

We often endure our deepest hurts and pains in isolation, choosing to just suck it up and pretend all is well rather than risk transparency and asking for help. In this week's podcast, Allen brings to light an issue he's been struggling with in private, how God orchestrated a path to bring others into his suffering, and the process of pursuing healing in both the physical and spiritual realms. Show Notes: The prayers John referenced—the "Life" Prayer and the Prayer for Breaking Curses—are on the Wild at Heart website and app. Moving Mountains by John Eldredge is available wherever you buy books. _______________________________________________ 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/4qr6fbfj6ms 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

E820 | John Responds to Your Questions

April 21, 2025

Every week we receive beautiful, heartfelt questions on almost every topic imaginable. In this podcast, John and Allen respond to as many questions as possible. Today's topics include how to guard our hearts during loss, what to do with a desire to be married before Jesus returns, how to understand God's will, ways to pursue our creativity with God, and how to interpret and combat increased spiritual warfare and fear. Show Notes: Got a question you want answered in a future podcast? Ask us at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org. The books referenced are Preparing for Heaven by Gary Black and Moving Mountains by John Eldredge. For more on Allen's teachings on creativity, visit http://withallen.com/. _______________________________________________ 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/lx9hoh2ysoy 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

E819 | Stuck & Unstuck

April 14, 2025

John is joined by Sam Eldredge, Stacia Littlefield, and Michelle Patterson to talk about how to overcome our stuck places. Discover the role pervasive shame plays in your stuckness, what it looks like to be "in process" as you move from stuck to unstuck, and the different ways to enter into and experience God's healing for your story. Show Notes: For more on upcoming Noble Workshops (including May, June, August, and November 2025), visit http://www.nobleworkshops.com/get-started. The books Sam references are My Father's Eyes, My Mother's Rage by Rose Brik and The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen. Sign up for John's weekly videos at  https://wildatheart.org/ on the bottom of the page. _______________________________________________ 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/icjkrl2rf_y 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

E818 | Jon Tyson on Culture, Chaos, and Orientation - Part 2

April 7, 2025

John Eldredge and pastor, author, and podcaster Jon Tyson continue a wide-ranging conversation on the unique challenges and opportunities of this particular cultural moment. Discover how to counter the fog of chaos and unbelief, why a rightly oriented heart is the key to everything, what's fueling the current revival among young adults, the important distinctions between sociology and spirituality, and why so many men's lives are falling apart...and what to do about it. Show Note: Jon Tyson's weekly podcast—Church of the City New York Podcast—is available wherever you get your podcasts. _______________________________________________ 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/bk2fsnpdklg 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

E817 | A Conversation with Jon Tyson - Part 1

March 31, 2025

In the first of this two-part series, John Eldredge asks pastor, author, and podcaster Jon Tyson about how he came to know God, his incredible journey from Australia to New York, the apologetics of longing, Jon's deep love for the people of New York, and his heart for the Kingdom of God. Show Note: Jon Tyson's weekly Church of the City New York Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. _______________________________________________ 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/baj7mpoepjg 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

E816 | What A Friend - with Josh Garrels

March 24, 2025

John Eldredge invites singer and songwriter Josh Garrels back into the podcast studio to talk about the difference between knowing about God and knowing God, friendship with Jesus, how to risk well in loving others, and Josh's song "What A Friend." Show Notes: Josh Garrels' song "What A Friend" from his Chrysaline album is used with permission and available wherever you get music. _______________________________________________ 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 Episode Number 816 Watch on https://youtu.be/ubg_-p1fdhg 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

E815 | The Life of an Ordinary Mystic

March 17, 2025

What difference does it make to choose an experiential life with God? It quite literally changes everything! In Part 4 of the Experience Jesus Really series, John and Allen are joined by friends Gloria and Sylvia to talk about what it looks like to pursue all we do with God as everyday, ordinary mystics. Show Notes: Experience Jesus. Really. book, audio book, and 5-session study guide/streaming video series are available wherever you buy books. The Experience Jesus video series is available free at http://wildatheart.org/media/experience-jesus-really. _______________________________________________ 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 Episode Number 815 Watch on https://youtu.be/kpjxaydtfku 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

E814 | Jesus: The Integrating Center of All Things

March 10, 2025

In Part 3 of our series, John shares a video session from the new Experience Jesus. Really. curriculum. Then John, Allen, Jamie, and Alex process what it means for Jesus to be the integrating center of everything, including our humanity. Show Notes: Experience Jesus. Really. book, audio book, and 5-session study guide/streaming video series are available wherever you buy books. The Experience Jesus video series is available free at http://wildatheart.org/media/experience-jesus-really. Visit http://christianbook.com/ for a 46% limited-time discount on a pack of 10 Experience Jesus. Really. books. _______________________________________________ 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 Episode Number 814 Watch on https://youtu.be/eznbsixwacw 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

E90 | Experiencing God in Everyday Life with John Eldredge

March 5, 2025

Join Stasi and her favorite guest – her husband, John – for an encouraging and insightful conversation about living in daily, intimate communion with Jesus. Drawing from John’s new book, "Experience Jesus. Really.", they share personal stories and wisdom from the saints, revealing how God’s presence is not just a metaphor but a reality available to all who seek Him. If you're longing for deeper experiences with God and all that is available, this episode is for you. Open your heart and step into the invitation of deeper communion with God. ….. SHOW NOTES: ….. Go deeper with John’s newest book "Experience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder through Everyday Encounters with God"  https://amzn.to/4jewbz7 VERSES:  Revelation 3:20 (NLT) – Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) – Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Ephesians 2:6 (NLT) – And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT) – Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. John 15:4–5 (NLT) – Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 6:35 (NLT) – Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ….. Don’t Miss Out on the Next Episode – Subscribe for Free Subscribe using your favorite podcast app: Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42ssoip Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42e0oz1  Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3m81kxl Amazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3m9u6hj

E813 | God's Full Kingdom—What We Can Expect

March 3, 2025

John's new book—Experience Jesus. Really.—releases this week! In Part 2 of the series, John reads from one of the book's most important chapters, exploring the nourishment of God and his full Kingdom that we need in order to flourish in an hour like this one. Show Notes: Experience Jesus. Really. book, audio book, and 5-session study guide/streaming video release March 4th and are available wherever you buy books and on https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400208653?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_rtvk3t75f3ghk0xs0tst&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_rtvk3t75f3ghk0xs0tst&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_rtvk3t75f3ghk0xs0tst&skiptwisterog=1&bestformat=true&newogt=1 _______________________________________________ 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 Episode Number 813 Watch on https://youtu.be/qmhrut_zdfa 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

E812 | Turning Toward Jesus

February 24, 2025

This new series begins a remarkable journey into the core ideas and practices of John's new book, Experience Jesus. Really. In Part 1, John shares why he felt compelled to write this vital message of refuge, strength, and wonder. He also reads extended passages from two chapters, revealing how we're all Disciples of the Internet, what it means to be an "ordinary mystic," and why we need to turn from distractions and toward Jesus. Show Notes: Experience Jesus. Really. will be released on March 4, 2025, but you can pre-order the book and audiobook now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400208653?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_rtvk3t75f3ghk0xs0tst&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_rtvk3t75f3ghk0xs0tst&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_rtvk3t75f3ghk0xs0tst&skiptwisterog=1&bestformat=true&newogt=1 _______________________________________________ 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 Episode Number 812 Watch on https://youtu.be/c7uwyn0fay4 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

Privacy Policy | © 2025 Wild At Heart. All rights reserved.