Gift of Need

About Gift of Need

The Gift of Need podcast explores the overlooked power of human need and how it shapes behavior, relationships, and society and is born from the belief that our needs are not burdens — but gifts. judedimegliotrang1.substack.com (https://judedimegliotrang1.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Jude DiMeglio Trang with exciting guests

Category

religion & spirituality · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Jun 2025

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

60 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Why We Need Historical Fiction to Understand Human Nature

   Host: Jude DiMeglio TrangGuest: Kim Pearson Bradley Description:We welcome author Kim Bradley back to the Gift of Need podcast to talk about historical fiction and why stories from other times and places can help us better understand ourselves and human nature. Kim shares how her love of reading, research, travel, and family stories led her to write the Merchant Tides historical fiction adventure series. We explore how historical fiction brings the past to life by showing that the emotions, relationships, struggles, and desires of people centuries ago are remarkably similar to our own. We talk about: · Kim’s unusual and varied career journey and how it led her to becoming an author · Why being an avid reader and genuinely curious about people can serve a writer well · C.S. Lewis’s advice to aspiring writers: read good books, write about what genuinely interests you, and understand the meaning of the words you use · Why historical fiction can make history more engaging and memorable · How stories humanize historical events, people, and places · The universal emotions and desires that connect people across centuries and cultures · How jealousy, envy, compassion, empathy, love, and the desire for freedom have shaped people throughout history · Why Kim chose the eighteenth century and the period when Florida was under British rule · The historical research behind the Merchant Tides series · Kim’s discovery of a Greek family legend that became the inspiration for her fictional series · The Mediterranean, the Ottoman Empire, and the importance of Smyrna as a center of international trade · How the Silk Road connected cultures, people, goods, and ideas · What historical records can reveal about everyday life in the eighteenth century · The real historical events surrounding British East Florida · Sebastian, the young protagonist of the Merchant Tides series, and his coming-of-age journey · How Sebastian’s struggles with independence, family, freedom, and responsibility reflect universal human experiences · The historical reality behind Sebastian’s experience as an indentured servant in Florida · The story of Doctor Andrew Turnbull and his attempt to establish an indigo plantation using workers recruited from the Mediterranean · How power, control, freedom, and the abuse of authority become recurring themes throughout the series · How difficult experiences and “growing pains” can contribute to maturity and wisdom · The way Kim draws from her own experiences and friendships when developing her characters · Why writing can be a cathartic way to process emotions and life experiences · What Kim has learned from traveling and meeting people from different cultures · Why people everywhere share fundamental needs to be loved, valued, respected, and to know that their lives have meaning · How historical fiction can help us recognize our shared humanity · Why everyone has a story worth telling and why aspiring writers should simply start writing You can purchase a copy of Kim’s books at your local bookseller or by going to her Merchant Tides books website: http://www.kpearsonbradley.com/ (http://www.kpearsonbradley.com/) or her other writing: https://www.kim-bradley.com (https://www.kim-bradley.com) Connect with Kim on Instagram: @kimwritesworlds or Facebook: www.facebook.com/kim.bradley.357 (http://www.facebook.com/kim.bradley.357) Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear how you’ve seen the “gift of need” show up in your life. Share your story in the comments or leave a review. Please subscribe to this YouTube channel and follow the podcast and rate it. Subscribe to my free newsletter to get future episodes and newsletters sent right to your inbox. JudeDiMeglioTrang1.Substack.com (http://judedimegliotrang1.substack.com/) Music Credit: Gabe Kubanda / Damn Plans (Instrumental) © 2021 Kubanda MusicEngineer: Ray Ingegneri, Third Street Productions, Tucson, AZ Producer: Jude DiMeglio Trang This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit judedimegliotrang1.substack.com (https://judedimegliotrang1.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Why We Need Hope For The Future - Episode #58

   Host: Jude DiMeglio TrangGuest: Chris Davis Description:We welcome pastor and author Chris Davis back to the Gift of Need podcast to talk about why we all need hope. Chris explores the difference between genuine hope and wishful thinking, and explains how Christian hope in the return of Jesus can shape the way we live today. We discuss how hope can help us face suffering, injustice, death, uncertainty, and the struggles of everyday life, while also motivating us to pursue justice, love others, and live with purpose. Chris also shares practical spiritual disciplines—including gathering, fasting, and Sabbath—that can nurture a life of hope and spiritual expectancy. We talk about: · What hope is and how it differs from wishful thinking · Why Christian hope is centered on the person of Jesus Christ · Chris’s book, Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Anticipating Jesus’ Return Gives Strength for Today · How the hope of Jesus’s return can influence how we live in the present · Why Christians should avoid misplaced certainty about the timing of Jesus’s return · The dangers of end-times predictions and the disappointment they can create · Why Jesus’s return matters even if it does not happen within our lifetime · How hope can shape the way we respond to greed, jealousy, lust, power, and material wealth · The relationship between hope, suffering, injustice, and the desire for a better future · How hope has historically sustained people experiencing oppression and suffering · The role of spirituals and songs in expressing hope and pursuing freedom · The difference between passively waiting for Jesus’s return and actively living with hope · Why the Christian hope of eternity is more than a vague picture of “heaven” · How anticipating seeing Jesus face to face can deepen Christian faith in the present · Why our present experience of God can be understood as a foretaste of what is to come · How gathering together can help Christians experience and anticipate God’s future · Why fasting can remind us that we are not yet home · How practicing Sabbath can cultivate peace and spiritual expectancy · The ways Sabbath points toward the redemption of work, God’s eternal rule, and eternal delight · Chris’s moving story about his father, Sabbath, and the hope of eternal rest · How hope can give us the strength to care about the world while trusting that God will ultimately make things right · How our need for hope can become an opportunity for others to share their gifts of faith and insight You can purchase Chris’ book Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Anticipating Jesus’ Return Gives Strength For Today at any bookseller and read more of Chris’ great articles on his Substack page: Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear how you’ve seen the “gift of need” show up in your life. Share your story in the comments or leave a review. Please subscribe to the Gift of Need YouTube channel so other can find these resources and follow the podcast and rate it. Subscribe to my free newsletter to get future episodes and newsletters sent right to your inbox. JudeDiMeglioTrang1.Substack.com (http://judedimegliotrang1.substack.com/) Music Credit: Gabe Kubanda / Damn Plans (Instrumental) © 2021 Kubanda Music Engineer: Ray Ingegneri, Third Street Productions, Tucson, AZ Producer: Jude DiMeglio Trang This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit judedimegliotrang1.substack.com (https://judedimegliotrang1.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Why We Need Picture Book Creators– Episode #57

   Description:We talk with award-winning author, illustrator, and designer Anna McGregor about the importance of children’s picture books and why children need stories that engage both their hearts and imaginations. Anna shares how her own childhood, love of creativity, and experience as a parent led her into creating picture books. We explore what makes a great picture book, the importance of reading aloud, how humor and imagination work for young readers, and why supporting children’s book creators matters. We talk about: · Anna’s journey from graphic design to becoming a children’s book author and illustrator · How childhood experiences and being read to can inspire a lifelong love of books · What makes a successful children’s picture book · Why a strong, child-centered idea or “hook” is important · How words and illustrations work together to tell a story · Using page turns to create tension, surprise, and anticipation · Why picture books need concise, carefully considered language · How humor can engage both children and adults · Why children’s books should trust the intelligence and imagination of young readers · The importance of allowing children to have agency over what they read · Why reading aloud creates connection between children and parents, caregivers, and teachers · How bedtime reading can become a meaningful and calming family ritual · The connection between reading to young children and developing literacy · Simple ways busy parents can incorporate reading into their children’s daily lives · How libraries and independent bookstores help support authors and illustrators · Australia’s public and educational lending rights and how they support children’s book creators · The importance of school visits, workshops, and opportunities for children to meet authors and illustrators · The inspiration behind Anna’s latest book, Dear Humans, We Stole Your Crayon · How imagination can turn an ordinary object into the spark for a story · Why children can be excellent audiences for testing humor and storytelling · Why you’re never too old to enjoy a picture book · How the need for stories and literacy can become an opportunity and gift for writers and artists Check out Anna’s work: annamcgregor.com.au (http://annamcgregor.com.au/) and Instagram @AnnaMcGregorAU The Gift of Need on YouTube: Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear how you’ve seen the “gift of need” show up in your life. Share your story in the comments or leave a review. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel and follow the podcast and rate it. Subscribe to my free newsletter to get future episodes and newsletters sent right to your inbox. JudeDiMeglioTrang1.Substack.com (http://judedimegliotrang1.substack.com/) Music Credit: Gabe Kubanda / Damn Plans (Instrumental) © 2021 Kubanda Music Engineer: Ray Ingegneri, Third Street Productions, Tucson, AZ Producer: Jude DiMeglio Trang This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit judedimegliotrang1.substack.com (https://judedimegliotrang1.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Contact Gift of Need

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.