John Eldredge

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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

E835 | The End of Things

August 4, 2025

The "spirit of death" is sneaky, pervasive, and toxic. It tries to get us to make agreements that the things we most value in life are over—resulting in the death of our dreams, faith, marriage, friendships, calling, and creativity. John and Stasi illuminate what's really going on, how to renounce these lies of the enemy, and ways to live with renewed hope. If you've been struggling with discouragement, resignation, and a vague feeling that it's the end of everything you care deeply about, this message is for you! _______________________________________________ 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/n2vislmx5io 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

E834 | The Rest of Your Story

July 28, 2025

Colorado Springs pastor and author Greg Lindsey joins John and Allen to talk about how to leave shame and regret behind in order to pursue the rest of our "story" in more freedom. Greg shares his own vulnerable story of redemption as well as concepts from his new book, The Rest of Your Story, including ways the enemy uses our past to keep us from realizing our purpose, the difference between living forgiven and living free, and why control is never the path to the story God created us for. Show Notes The Rest of Your Story, by Greg Lindsey, is available wherever you buy books. Listen to "Love the Church"—a Wild at Heart audio conversation—featuring John Eldredge, Craig McConnell, and Greg Lindsey, at http://wildatheart.org/rhplay/audio/love-church-download. Visit the Discovery Church website at https://www.discovery.church/. _______________________________________________ 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/qlqqiwydpyw 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

E833 | Advanced Spiritual Warfare Skills - Workshop 2

July 21, 2025

In the second half of this "deeper life" series, John explores another skill needed to thrive in this moment—more sophisticated warfare fighting tools. This teaching, originally offered as a staff workshop, focuses on advanced ways to see what's set against you in the spiritual realm as well as how to be more effective in shutting the schemes of the enemy down. _______________________________________________ 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/l4vbvre58xi 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

E832 | Deeper Communion with God - Workshop 1

July 14, 2025

This new "deeper life" series is drawn from recent staff workshops where John taught on two advanced spiritual skills needed in this particular hour and cultural moment. In the first half of the series, you'll discover how to enter into deeper communion with God through actual, intimate encounters with him—and how to make this a regular part of your sustenance rather than the rare, occasional experience. The session concludes with an extended communion exercise led by John. To fully engage, find a place free of distractions where you can listen with your eyes closed. Show Notes Union with God by Jeanne Guyon is available wherever books are sold. _______________________________________________ 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/ibzk3_uchm0 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

E831 | Bear Grylls - The Greatest Story

July 7, 2025

Bear Grylls is known worldwide for his numerous adventure shows, including Man vs. Wild. In addition, he's one of the youngest climbers of Mt. Everest, and a former SAS (a special forces unit of the British Army) soldier. Bear joins John to talk about his family, his faith, and his upcoming book on the life of Jesus—The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account. In this candid conversation, Bear shares stories of what makes his heart come alive, his recent wilderness adventure with The Chosen cast, and how writing this book was, in his words, "an Everest of another level for me, the hardest and best thing I've ever done...by miles." Show Notes Bear Grylls' new book, The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account, releases in the U.S. on July 22, 2025, Pre-order it now wherever you buy books. The Times article by Bear Grylls ("To Be Fully Understood, The Christian Faith Must Be Tried") can be read https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/faith-has-to-be-tried-to-understand-it-fully-krmndnwpg. John's book referenced in this podcast, Beautiful Outlaw, is available wherever books are sold. _______________________________________________ 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/mqe-1wea32k 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

E830 | Be a Martian

June 30, 2025

We are all living in a global moment of massive instability. Culture, technology, and constant chaos actually are conditioning us against God. The result is a growing sense of restlessness, weariness, and disillusionment. John and Allen describe how the only rational response for believers in this world gone mad is to risk looking weird as we pursue God above all else. In other words, you must choose to be a martian! Show Notes The two Wild at Heart podcast series featuring Mark Sayers released June 16th and June 23rd, 2025. Gerald May's book, Addiction & Grace, is available wherever books are sold. _______________________________________________ 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/ncxkbgbmtys 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

E829 | Global Instability & Revival - with Mark Sayers

June 23, 2025

Mark Sayers continues his conversation with John and Blaine Eldredge about significant shifts happening during this time of massive global instability. The second half of the series focuses on the ways God is on the move, worldwide revival is accelerating, and spiritual hunger is increasing with younger generations. Mark also explores how a platform mentality is misshaping our contemporary world and contrasts this to the biblical call of Christians to live as pillars. Show Notes: Mark Sayers website is http://marksayers.co/. Find his Rebuilders podcast at http://rebuilders.co/podcast. Discover more about 24-7 Prayer at http://24-7prayer.com/. Mark's new books—Platforms to Pillars—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/_ijkme_sej4 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

E828 | Mark Sayers on Living Between Eras

June 16, 2025

If you're feeling like this world is an increasingly unstable place, you're not alone...or crazy. During moments of intense global transition and shaking, it's helpful to have an accessible voice explain the historical and cultural forces at work from a Christian worldview. In this two-part series, Mark Sayers joins John and Blaine Eldredge for a fascinating, globe-spanning conversation. In Part 1, he explains how we're actually living between two eras—what he refers to as the 'gray zone'— and the ambiguity, challenges, and opportunities of such times. Show Notes: Mark Sayers' website is http://marksayers.co/. Listen to his Rebuilders podcast at http://rebuilders.co/podcast. _______________________________________________ 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/jynh7bkdbhu 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

E827 | When Everything Is Stacked Against You

June 9, 2025

Allen has a new batch of questions for John to answer—including why we say what we do in the Daily Prayer, when to search for a new church, how to navigate the challenges of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), what to do when a spouse uses freedom as an excuse to avoid structure, and how to stay close to God when everything is stacked against you. Show Notes: Send your podcast questions to John and Allen at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org. _______________________________________________ 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/3rq0fph7twc 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

E826 | Questions and Cap'n Crunch

June 2, 2025

In this two-part series, John and Allen respond to some of your biggest questions—including one you've likely never had until now: Why is Cap'n Crunch in this week's podcast title? In Part 1, the questions cover a variety of topics including what happens when we hear from God but things still go sideways, how can there be no sadness in heaven if people we love won't be there, why does it seem so hard to pursue union with God, and is it contradictory to engage in apps like the Experience Jesus modules while also trying to spend less time on our phones? Show Notes: The Ladder of Love registration details are at http://wildatheart.org/events/ladder-of-love-retreat-october-2025. Send your podcast questions to John and Allen at mailto:questions@wildatheart.org. See the Cap'n Crunch photo https://b-cdn.wildatheart.org/files/podcasts/wildatheart/crunch-a-tize.jpg or by watching this week's Wild at Heart video podcast on https://youtu.be/50r2frtuu5e. The books referenced are Hearing God by Dallas Willard and Walking with God by John Eldredge. The past Wild at Heart podcast John mentioned is https://wildatheart.org/podcasts/wild-at-heart/e807-discerning-whats-from-god/. _______________________________________________ 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/50r2frtuu5e 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

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