In a fascinating conversation on Journey with Jake, author John Leonard reveals the unexpected path that led him from the rolling plains of Colorado to the emerald hills of Ireland, and ultimately to creating a unique fantasy series rooted in Biblical narrative.
Photos Courtesy of John Leonard
Growing up in rural Elizabeth, Colorado, Leonard describes a childhood marked by small-town rhythms and strong family bonds. As the oldest of four siblings, he forged an especially close relationship with his brother, who he affectionately compares to iconic duos like “Batman and Robin” or “Robin Hood and Little John.” Their shared athletic pursuits—Leonard as fullback leading the way for his brother at tailback in football, and as wrestling partners always one weight class apart—created a foundation of camaraderie and healthy competition that shaped his formative years.
Leonard’s journey took a pivotal turn in college when he discovered rugby, a sport that would later connect him deeply to Irish culture. At Colorado Mesa University (formerly Mesa State), he captained the rugby team for four years, developing a passion that would follow him across the Atlantic. This athletic pursuit, along with his relationship with his now-wife, formed the center of his collegiate experience.
The author’s connection to Ireland runs deeper than just sporting interests. With family heritage and relatives still living in Athlone in central Ireland, Leonard seized an opportunity to study abroad. Rather than choosing the popular destination of Dublin, he opted for Belfast in Northern Ireland, diving headfirst into a complex cultural landscape still bearing the marks of “The Troubles.” This immersion offered him insights into both the region’s difficult history and its rich mythological traditions, particularly the Ulster cycle featuring the legendary hero Cúchulainn.
Leonard’s descriptions of Ireland resonate with authentic appreciation. He recounts a memorable eight-mile walk from Dublin to the Neolithic site of Newgrange when he missed a bus—a journey that became an unexpected highlight of his time abroad. “Walking that road… it was just something else,” he explains, describing how the slower pace allowed him to absorb the countryside in a way impossible from a car window. The sideways rain, winding roads, and ancient hamlets with thatched roofs created an experience that transported him back through time.
His passion for Irish pub culture shines through as he details the unique atmosphere where storytelling, music, and community converge. “The pub scene is a place that I didn’t ever want to leave,” Leonard remarks, explaining how bands form organically as musicians bring their instruments and play together, and how conversations with locals yield rich life stories over shared drinks. This immersion in Ireland’s storytelling tradition profoundly influenced Leonard’s own writing aspirations.
The centerpiece of the conversation revolves around Leonard’s Wayfinder series, a unique fantasy saga that explores the gap in Biblical narrative between the Tower of Babel and Abraham’s story. The first book, “Dawn of Destiny,” required five years of research and writing to ensure historical and theological accuracy while weaving in elements from various ancient mythologies. With evident enthusiasm, Leonard explains how he incorporates Mesopotamian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Hittite, Canaanite, and Egyptian traditions into a cohesive narrative that respects Biblical accounts while exploring untold stories. 
What makes Leonard’s approach particularly distinctive is his application of Pardes—a rabbinical teaching method involving four levels of textual interpretation: Peshat (literal meaning), Remez (allegorical hints), Derash (deeper meaning), and Sod (mystical understanding). This layered approach allows his writing to operate on multiple levels, offering something for casual readers as well as those seeking deeper theological and symbolic connections.
The author’s journey to publication reveals the challenges of self-publishing, especially for new authors with ambitious projects. After facing rejection from traditional publishers, Leonard partnered with Wordeee to establish his own publishing company, Lionheart Press. This path allowed him to maintain creative control and rights to his work while receiving crucial support with technical aspects of book production. For Leonard, the passion for storytelling trumps commercial concerns: “I’m not worried about sales… I just really want to tell the story.”
Throughout the conversation, Leonard’s faith emerges as the foundation that unites his various passions and pursuits. Raised in church but particularly influenced by his parents’ lived example, he credits his faith with shaping his worldview and providing direction. “Without faith, I’m obviously not working on this or not trusted that rugby was going to work out or I’m going to meet my wife,” he reflects, emphasizing how his spiritual perspective gives purpose to his creative endeavors.
