Episode 63: Interview with Dr. Carter Check on Releasing His Second Book and Making Massive Moves with His First

Episode Title:The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 63: Interview with Dr. Carter Check on Releasing His Second Book and Making Massive Moves with His FirstEpisode Summary:What happens when faith becomes performance instead of presence?In this special guest episode, Jonathan Lautermilch, CEO of Smart Publishing, sits down with publishing partner Dr. Carter Check to discuss the heart behind his upcoming book, Plagiarizing the Gospel: When Familiar Faith Replaces Living Relationship.This conversation goes far beyond publishing.Carter opens up about the personal convictions, spiritual wrestling, and moments in the “secret place” that led him to write this deeply vulnerable and faith-centered book. Together, Jonathan and Carter explore the difference between knowing about God and actually walking with Him, why so many believers feel spiritually exhausted, and how performance-based Christianity quietly disconnects people from authentic relationships.They also dive into the writing process itself—how books born from scars carry a different kind of power, why vulnerability matters in leadership, and how writing can become a form of healing and personal transformation.Whether you’re a faith leader, aspiring author, or someone trying to reconnect with purpose and presence, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and a deeply meaningful perspective.What You’ll Hear:The story behind Plagiarizing the GospelWhy Carter says many believers are “quoting the gospel accurately but living something else”The difference between reading scripture for reference vs. relationshipHow “performance Christianity” quietly drains people spirituallyWhy vulnerability creates deeper connection and healingThe concept of writing from a scar instead of an open woundWhy many leaders suffer silently without safe spaces to be honestThe role of the “secret place” in hearing God clearlyHow writing a book can expose areas of personal growth and repentanceWhy books create opportunities far beyond royalties and salesQuote to Remember:“The presence is the practice—not performance.”Guest Featured in This Episode:Dr. Carter Check – clinical chaplain, ethicist, professor, and author of Healing in the Wild and Plagiarizing the GospelMentioned in This Episode:Healing in the Wild by Dr. Carter CheckPlagiarizing the Gospel: When Familiar Faith Replaces Living RelationshipThePresenceGym.orgPlagiarizingTheGospel.comSmartPublishingServices.com – publishing resources and supportConnect with Jonathan Lautermilch on LinkedInSpecial Discussion Topics:Why some books are written from platforms—and others from woundsThe “Kintsugi” analogy: how brokenness can become beautyHow Healing in the Wild expanded into Arabic translations and global humanitarian impactWhy authors should focus on their calling and let experts handle the publishing ecosystemComing Next:More conversations with publishing partners, bestselling authors, and thought leaders on how books create transformation, authority, and long-term impact.