Welcome to the Beaty Beat!
This is a weekly newsletter for people who…
want to go beyond the headlines to understand deeper trends and attitudes in the American church
love the church but are alienated by many of its cultural and political alliances
feel spiritually homeless but are not without hope
feel more deeply understood because of something I’ve written
If any of this resonates, I hope you’ll subscribe to get a weekly dose of news and analysis about the church, culture, gender, toxic celebrity power, and the occasional rant and rec.
Okay but who is this ‘Beaty’…?
I’m an Ohio native living in New York City, an oldest child, an auntie, a writer and editor, a birdwatcher, and a big believer that the perfect karaoke song does exist and that it is called “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” I also believe this song provided the backdrop for a very cringe yet weirdly moving evangelistic skit that many of us saw performed circa 1998.
Before I moved to NYC in 2018, I lived in the Chicago suburbs for more than a decade and served as managing editor of Christianity Today. I have written two books — Celebrities for Jesus (Brazos Press, 2022) and A Woman’s Place (Simon & Schuster, 2016) — and have written for many mainstream and faith-based outlets over the years, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Religion News Service. (See some clips here!) I co-host a podcast called Saved by the City, where my friend Roxanne Stone and I have interviewed Amy Grant, Beth Moore, Fr. James Martin, Jemar Tisby, Diane Langberg, and Philip Yancey, among many other fascinating and wise folks.
I currently serve as editorial director of Brazos Press. When I’m not acquiring books, editing manuscripts, or podcasting, I love exploring more of New York. Some things I love about living here is that I can walk to the bodega wearing pajama pants and literally no one cares; that I have found community and spiritual enrichment at a church in Gramercy Park; that I can enjoy a greasy spoon diner meal or an exquisitely curated dining experience, and both are equally enjoyable; that this place is one where being a single, professional oriented woman is not a liability; and that, for all the horror stories about apartments in New York, I have found a little one-bedroom hovel in Brooklyn from which I can carve out a meaningful, full life.
Why subscribe?
If you subscribe, you’ll get the Beaty Beat dropped in your inbox most every week. Never miss a beat! Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.
Every post is free, as is all archived content. That said, if you feel so moved to support me as a paid subscriber, that tangible manifestation of your gratitude means the world, and will allow me to keep going.
I’d also love to hear from you. In addition, I’m always open to hearing from you, the readers, about topics you’d like me to cover.
Re: tips and allegations. Over the years, I have received dozens of tips re: stories of abuse allegations, abuse cover-up, moral failings among leaders, and all other manner of horrible thing. While I care about shining a light on the truth and holding people to account, unfortunately I don’t have the bandwidth or supporting institution to look into most allegations. That said, I have relationships with a few credible journalists who might be able to help, and can at the very least point you their way.
Thank you, all!
Katelyn
