Time Travel, Consequence, and the Power to Heal: A Conversation with John Newton|S5 EP209: Book Banter Podcast
- Dianne Burckhardt
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Science fiction author John Newton joins Lovefest to discuss The Healing Stone, medieval Spain, and the ethics of rewriting the future.
Hello My Happy People,
We are keeping the Lovefest momentum going with today's guest. I get to share my chat with science fiction author and YouTuber John Newton. John's work blends historical science fiction, time travel, and big questions about faith, ethics, and choice. What is not to love about that?
We talk about his novel The Healing Stone, the first book in the Shadows of Time series. Set in medieval Spain, the story follows a young man who discovers a mysterious stone capable of healing anything, just as a hidden war over time itself begins to unfold. It’s a time travel science fiction story rooted as much in human cost and moral responsibility as it is in history and speculation.
John shares how his background in electrical engineering, robotics, and theology influences his world-building, why themes of healing and trauma run through his fiction, and how science fiction can explore faith and ethical dilemmas without becoming preachy or losing momentum. We also talk about mixing YouTube, writing, and storytelling, and where the Shadows of Time series is headed next. We even had the chance to geek-bond over quantum theory.
It’s a thoughtful, approachable conversation about time travel, belief, and what happens when the power to heal collides with the consequences of changing history.
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Enjoy,
Dianne
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Season 5 Lovefest
Every Wednesday
February 4th - March 25th
February
4th - S5 EP 208 NOW STREAMING
E.K. Johnston, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Titan of the Stars
11th - S5 EP 209 NOW STREAMING
John Newton, YouTuber and Acclaimed Author of The Shadows of Time Series.
18th - S5 EP 210
Jacque Gorelick, Freelance Writer and Debut Author of Map of the Heart
25th - S5 EP 211
Monte Schulz, Owner of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference and Author of Undercity
March
4th - S5 EP 212
Kristine Jensen, Award-Winning Writer and Author of Wednesday Club
11th - S5 EP 213
Jeremy Clift, Award-Winning Author of Space Vault
18th - S5 EP 214
PODCAST TAKEOVER!
Sebastian Dureaux-Russell, Award -Winning Author of Burning with a Blue Flame with Special Guest Romance Author, D.S. Stephens
25th - S5 EP 215
Maria Jane, Award-Winning Romance Author of the Perfect Series
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