Welcome to Emily Strand’s home on the web.

Emily is an author, podcaster, teacher, speaker, award-winning singer-songwriter and musician. She holds an MA in theology from the University of Dayton and has taught religion on the college level for nearly 20 years. Emily has published two books on Catholic sacraments and several peer-reviewed chapters and essays on the religious, symbolic and spiritual themes in popular fiction such as Harry Potter and Star Wars. With Dr. Kathryn N. McDaniel of Marietta College, Emily co-hosts Potterversity, a Potter Studies Podcast, a show in the MuggleNet family of podcasts. With McDaniel and with Amy H. Sturgis, Emily is co-editor of three scholarly books for academic presses on Star Wars, Star Trek and Harry Potter.

She is also co-host and creator of the podcast Meet Father Rivers, which explores the life and legacy of her mentor, Black Catholic priest, composer and liturgical pioneer, Fr. Clarence Joseph Rivers (co-hosted by Eric T. Styles). Emily teaches comparative religions and cultural competence courses at Mount Carmel College of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and serves the National Pastoral Musicians Association (NPM) as Chair of the Forum on Communications.

Emily is also a lector, cantor and accompanist for her Catholic parish, Immaculate Conception in Columbus, Ohio, and a proud member of the 501st and Rebel Legions, international Star Wars costuming associations that serve local communities through fundraising and appearances at charitable events.

Please explore the menu at the top of the page for more about Emily Strand, including social media links. Use the contact page to get in touch, and visit Emily’s blog, LiturgyAndLife.com.

Thank you for visiting!