Today I’m talking with writer, artist, scholar, and theologian Tim Willard, whose work explores beauty, wonder, true presence, and how it shapes our lives. We dive into his essay The Art of Deep Creation, discussing how false light deceives us, how beauty grounds us, and what it takes to live and create intentionally.
We discuss how Tim studies and creates, and how to parent, write, and live in a world that constantly pulls us to the periphery. From helping his daughters live intentionally to stepping away from the internet for a few months, Tim offers wisdom and weight for those craving more than just a shimmer. This is a conversation about building what lasts, depth, density, and a light that burns rather than flickers.
Episode Seventy-Three | True Wonder Over False Light: A Creative Resistance with Tim Willard
0:00 Intro
0:30 Welcome Back, Time Willard
0:55 Life, Family, and Creative Work
6:04 Rhizome vs. Rooted
11:55 Technology, Depletion, and Disconnection
29:46 Frequency and Distraction
47:52 The Hollowing Effect
59:30 Density and Depletion
1:22:23 Daily Resistance
1:31:07 Building Hope
1:37:51 The Moments that Matter
1:44:30 How to Connect with Tim
1:46:29 Outro
I’m a writer, theologian, and creative guide—drawn to beauty as the language of the soul.
My work explores how wonder forms us, how stories carry truth, and how the sacred often hides in the quiet corners of our lives. Whether through mentoring, teaching, or writing, I help people live more attentively in a world that has forgotten how to see.
I hold a Ph.D. in theology, have written four books on spiritual formation and cultural beauty, and am currently working on projects for university and traditional nonfiction presses.
My research weaves together the literary imagination of C.S. Lewis, the metaphysics of longing, and the sacramental weight of everyday life.
I live in the Carolinas with my wife and three children, where we grow things slowly and pay attention to the light.
Tim’s Website – https://www.timothywillard.com
Follow Tim – https://www.instagram.com/timothywillard/
The Art of Deep Creation on Substack – https://timothywillard.substack.com/p/the-art-of-deep-
creation
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This Tim Willard podcast was phenomenal. So in season and so enlightening, Thank you to both of you.