top of page

Authentic Life Lessons

Award-winning mini-memoirs that unlock the power of personal growth. Journey with Joel David Bond through Life Chapters now.

IMG_7004_edited.jpg

Find your next source of inspiration.

Ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth?

 

Journey with Joel David Bond in his annual publication and podcast Life Chapters. These mini-memoirs are your ticket to unlocking new perspectives and insights.

With each installment, journey with Joel as he relates stories of triumph, perseverance, resilience and personal growth. Whether you're seeking inspiration in your own life journey or simply craving a heartwarming read, Joel's mini-memoirs have something for every avid reader. Let Life Chapters inspire you today!

Blue ribbon Medallion

Recognition

2021 Annie Dillard Award for Creative Non-Fiction: "Amazing Grace" (shortlisted)
2024 FISH Publishing Short Memoir Award: "One Foot in Front of the Other" (shortlisted)

Join in the Journey

Subscribe and get notified when the next Life Chapter is released!

Life Chapters Membership

$0

Subscription to annual Life Chapters

Released only once a year! (No endless spam!)

Beautifully designed article delivered to your inbox

Links to blog & podcast versions on Apple & Spotify

Read Life Chapters

Embark on a heartfelt journey with 'Life Chapters'. These mini-memoirs of remarkable moments intertwine personal tales with profound life lessons, inviting you to relive, reflect, and grow alongside me.

Read back issues here, or subscribe to the podcast versions Apple Podcasts or SoundCloud.

2023

One Foot in Front of the Other*

This story delves deep into the complexities of rebuilding life after loss, the significance of human connections, and the resilience found in taking small steps forward, even amidst profound uncertainty.

*Shortlisted for the 2024 FISH Publishing Short Memoir award.

Camino Hiking Boots

2022

Quantum Connections

In a poignant tale bridging bedtime rituals between continents and decades, a dual narrative unfolds, intertwining the experiences of a uncle reading to his niece in the comfort of a nursery and a young boy, Abdallah, navigating war-torn Iraq, exploring the profound connections that transcend time, space, and individual paths in life.

Flower girl crown

2021

Amazing Grace*

This chapter navigates from an American insurrection to an exploration in Iraq, reflecting on the complexity of history, human judgment, resilience amidst destruction, and the empowering force of grace in seeking restoration amid chaos.

*Shortlisted for the 2021 Annie Dillard Award for Creative Nonfiction.

Sadam Hussein Textbook Image

2020

Reverse Refugee

A teacher's encounter with a refugee camp leads to a personal mission advocating for refugees, triggered by being stranded on a Greek island during the pandemic.

Refugee children

2019

Sunrise, Sunset

Through evocative memories of childhood fascination with a globe-trotting presenter and a flight attendant's transient existence, a journey unfolds, bridging the past and present, culminating in a poignant message of gratitude to the inspirational figure who ignited a lifelong passion for exploration and understanding diverse cultures.

India Gate

2018

There Are Other Ways

Exploring the human longing for connection amidst cultural divides and inner struggles, Bond weaves a tale of hope, unity, and resilience through personal stories, highlighting the possibilities of breaking down barriers and finding alternate paths to understanding and solidarity.

Refugee Assistance

2017

Not What I Expected

Experience a surprising Iraqi landscape, a river gorge revealing an unexpected metal mystery and the poignant tale of Arvin's escape, revealing how life's unexpected turns hold blessings and opportunities for resilience and hope.

Mosque in the fog, Slemani

2016

Open Heart

Bond explores diverse social experiences, cultural fusion, and reflections on life in Iraqi Kurdistan, emphasizing the universality of human struggles and the importance of love amidst differences in a complex, interconnected world.

Daffodils in Bloom in Scotland

2015

Finding Home

In a tale echoing the struggle of defining 'home,' a globetrotting journeyer explores the poignant intersection of 'where are you from?' and 'where do you belong?' unraveling the intricate essence of connection and longing for roots amidst a life of ceaseless travel.

View from an airplane cockpit

2013

And the Truth Shall Set Your Free

In the depths of Auschwitz, amid a haunting trial of God, a profound exploration ensues questioning faith, doubt, and the enigmatic nature of belief, echoed through personal experiences unraveling the intricate tapestry of human spirituality.

Turkish mosque

2012

Shift

Through evocative memories of childhood fascination with a globe-trotting presenter and a flight attendant's transient existence, a journey unfolds, bridging the past and present, culminating in a poignant message of gratitude to the inspirational figure who ignited a lifelong passion for exploration and understanding diverse cultures.

Guitar and baby

2011

Learning Turkish

A heartwarming tale of cultural immersion and human connection unfolds against the backdrop of rural Turkey, revealing the profound impact of shared laughter, kindness, and simple moments with newfound friends.

Barber Shop Norman Rockwell style

2010

It'll Be All Right

A poignant journey of loss and discovery which navigates the complexities of faith, family, and the universal pursuit of understanding amidst grief and cultural integration.

Iona, Scotland Ruins

Selected podcast versions available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Join in the Journey

Subscribe and get notified when the next Life Chapter is released!

Life Chapters Membership

$0

Subscription to annual Life Chapters

bottom of page