33. Tanner Olson: Finding Hope in Grief and Prayer

In this episode, I sit down with author, spoken word poet, and storyteller, Tanner Olson. Tanner shares how his journey through infertility, adoption, and creative ministry has shaped his faith. Together we talk about prayer, waiting on God’s timing, the coexistence of grief and hope, and what it looks like to live faithfully—even when life doesn’t look the way you expected. His honesty about wrestling with God, his story of adoption, and his heart for helping others connect with God through poetry and prayer will encourage and challenge you to remember: life is heavy and hard, but God is always good. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The story behind Tanner’s children’s book All the Things I Say to God How grief and hope can exist side by side Tanner’s personal journey with infertility and adoption Honest reflections on social media, creativity, and calling Why remembering God’s past faithfulness matters for our present trials How prayer can be simple, accessible, and transformative for all of us About Tanner Olson:Tanner Olson is an author, spoken word poet, and storyteller based in Nashville, TN. Known for his heartfelt and hopeful voice, he travels the country sharing poetry and stories that weave together grace, humor, and faith. His work has been described as “hopefully unique and inviting,” offering a fresh perspective on life’s complexities with honesty and curiosity. Tanner is the author of multiple books, including Walk A Little Slower, All the Things I Say to God (Zonderkidz, April 2025), and an upcoming release with HarperCollins in February 2026. Discover more of his work at writtentospeak.com. Resources & Links: All the Things I Say to God (Zonderkidz, April 2025): https://www.writtentospeak.com/store Follow Tanner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writtentospeak Follow Hanna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannaeseymour Learn more: https://www.hannaseymour.com Call to Action:If something in this episode encouraged you, I’d love to hear! Leave a comment on Spotify, DM me on Instagram, or share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder of God’s goodness. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe—your support helps this podcast reach more people with encouragement to follow Jesus, no matter what.