Our First Podcast: Rose & Pearl Publishing Talks with Chilly Billy & Madge Howell
One of the unexpected blessings of publishing a book is discovering where the conversation leads next.
Back in December, Wrestling with Wisdom at the Crossroads entered the world carrying thousands of aphorisms, dozens of poems, a devotional companion, and more than a few questions. Since then, the questions have surfaced in living rooms, group devotionals, book talks, festivals, conversations at kayak races far from home, unexpected places, and encounters with friends and strangers alike.
On May 28, 2026, they found their way to The Published Pearl Podcast, where we joined Dr. Carolyn Wiley of Rose & Pearl Publishing for an unscripted visit about the book, the stories behind it, and some of the winding roads that led to its creation.
What followed was less an interview and more a visit.
We talked about wisdom and foolishness, faith and doubt, addiction and recovery, art and illustration, Mississippi Delta culture, and the curious ways God uses ordinary moments to teach extraordinary lessons. Along the way, we reflected on the origins of more than 2,700 aphorisms, the role of poetry in wrestling with life’s contradictions, and why some of the most important truths are often discovered at life’s crossroads.
If you’ve ever wondered how this book came to be, or why two Delta Bohemians would spend years chasing Wisdom through stories, sketches, conversations, and questions, we invite you to pull up a chair and join us.
The full podcast is below.
Looking back, we are especially grateful to Carolyn. The journey from manuscript to finished book involved far more twists, turns, revisions, and decisions than we ever imagined. Through it all, Carolyn remained patient, encouraging, and willing to help bring to life a project unlike any she had previously published. Her steady guidance helped transform a stack of words, illustrations, ideas, and questions into the finished volume now resting in readers’ hands.
Thank you for listening. If this conversation resonates with you, we invite you to leave a comment below or share it with a friend who might enjoy it too.