Awake: Jen Hatmaker on her Midlife Renaissance

Divorce. Empty-nesting. Changing bodies. Shifting careers. Rethinking faith.

In this honest and uplifting talk, New York Times bestselling author Jen Hatmaker shares the story behind her memoir Awake — a journey through loss, reinvention, and starting over.

With wit and candor, she explores what it means to embrace midlife, let go of old roles, and rebuild from within. She’s joined by the New York Times bestselling author Barbara Brown Taylor for a powerful dialogue on identity, midlife, and making peace with the unknown.

If you’ve ever asked, Who am I now?, this is your invitation to awaken and begin again.

This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required, and seating is first come, first served.

Following the session, Jen will participate in a brief meet-and-greet where guests may say hello and snap a quick photo. Please note: Jen will not be signing books at the festival, but pre-signed bookplates will be included with copies of her book purchased from Eagle Eye Bookshop.

Support the festival by purchasing Jen Hatmaker's book through Eagle Eye Book Shop using this link, and Barbara Brown Taylor's book using this link. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the festival. To explore all featured titles available from Eagle Eye, click here.

About the Moderator

Barbara Brown Taylor is the New York Times bestselling author of An Altar in the World, Learning to Walk in the Dark, and Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. She joined the faculty of Piedmont College as the first Butman Professor of Religion and Philosophy. Last year she was elected to the Georgia Writer's Hall of Fame, and her new book, Coming Down to Earth, is forthcoming from Convergent Books in 2026.