S3:E8 Through a Field of Stars | Exploring the Camino de Santiago with Author Brian J. Skillen
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.
DISCUSSIONS FROM THIS EPISODE:
- Sacred Steps Podcast
- Leave a Voice Message for the Podcast
- Kevin's Book: The Pilgrims' Table
- WWW: Brian John Skillen
- BOOK: The Way Through a Field of Stars
- BOOK: Back Through a Field of Stars
- BOOK: Home Through a Field of Stars
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW ONLINE:
- Podcast Homepage - sacredstepspodcast.com
- Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal
- Stream the Video Podcast on YouTube
- Connect on Facebook
- View on Instagram
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.
Brian John Skillen
Author
The author Brian John Skillen believes we are all called to adventure. Whether we answer this call by traveling around the world or by living vicariously through our favorite characters—we are born to explore.
In all of his adventures around the world, nothing has affected him more than his pilgrimages along the Camino de Santiago. It was here that he was first told about a secret code of the Knights Templar on the Camino. This code inspired him to write the Through a Field of Stars series. Since his first pilgrimage in 2017, he has walked over 1,000 miles across Spain doing research for the series.
He has traveled the miles that his characters have traveled and learned the lessons they have learned. He writes in the hopes that his books will inspire you to have a life-changing adventure on the Camino de Santiago.
