Author Brian J. Skillen (http://www.brianjohnskillen.com/) heard legends of the Knights Templar in Spain on the first day of his Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. He followed Templar symbols alongside Camino arrows and discovered the basis for his first Camino trilogy: Through A Field of Stars. His three books have become international best-sellers, following the dramatic saga of sacred relics and brave knights across the Camino Frances. Brian joins the podcast along with his partner, Chelsea, to share behind-the-scenes stories of his books and their most recent Camino pilgrimage.
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MEET OUR GUEST: Brian John Skillen
An award-winning author, Brian John Skillen grew up with dyslexia and a third-grade reading and spelling level in high school. He never in a million years thought he would be an author. Brian used his ability to turn thoughts backward to become an internationally touring dance instructor, who found the Camino de Santiago while on tour in Spain. In the small town of Castrojeriz, he was first told about a secret code of the Knights Templar on the Camino de Santiago. As he hiked the Camino across Spain, the code played out along the route, inspiring the best-selling Through a Field of Stars series.
MEET THE HOST: Kevin Donahue
Husband. Father. Backpacker. Pilgrim. Author.
Kevin Donahue began walking pilgrimage routes in 2019, joining the historical footprints of pilgrims seeking places and people to inspire questions and enlighten answers about faith, hope, and love. His passion for these historic footpaths and reflections from the journeys form the basis for his books: Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal and The Pilgrims’ Table.
BOOKS BY KEVIN DONAHUE:
Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal | Free Preview
At the crossroads of history and faith, a reluctant pilgrim embarks on a modern pilgrimage along some of the world’s most revered footpaths. Along the way, he discovers the places and encounters people that inspire questions and enlighten answers about faith, hope, and love.
Available from print and digital booksellers, Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal conveys both the historical context and the modern experience of pilgrimage through Portugal and Spain on the Camino de Santiago, along America’s Pacific Coast connecting the California Missions Trail, across receding tides to Holy Island, from London to Canterbury along Britain’s historic Pilgims’ Way, and onward towards Rome via Europe’s Via Francigena on a journey of discovery.
The Pilgrims’ Table | Free Preview
Brought together by fate for a memorable dinner, five pilgrims recall their emotional journeys along Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Powerful and moving, The Pilgrims’ Table is an emotional look at the transformational power of pilgrimage.
Born from the intersection of my experiences with those of other pilgrims, The Pilgims’ Table is the story of five pilgrims from divergent paths who come together at a Spanish albergue. The deeply personal stories shared over dinner transform their outlook on pilgrimage and connect them as one pilgrim family.
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