Hi, I’m Adriel.
I’m a writer, speaker, and curator based in the Fleurieu Peninsula on Ramindjeri and Ngarrindjeri Land in the southern part of Australia with my husband and three beautiful sons. I’m an immigrant and a city person who now lives in a small town among the gum trees and sea breezes, finding my way into middle life where I’m exploring middle things, like how change and transition and crisis and liminal spaces shape our lives in good and meaningful ways if we’re willing to stay in the tension long enough to meet God (and ourselves) there.
About me.
I care about following Jesus and helping others discover God’s kindness and I do my best to be faithful to both. I’ve done a fair bit of work surrounding women’s issues—specifically maternal health advocacy for the developing world—and I care deeply about what it means to be a good neighbor and how faith and culture intertwine in the public square. More recently I’ve been known to write about grief and loss and how this forms us and shapes the way we exist in the world.
For more than twenty years I worked in full time vocational ministry and came to believe the best and truest discipleship and growth and life happens when we gather around the table. In 2025 my husband and I opened a cafe and vintage shop where our focus on creativity, community, and sustainability is outworked through genuine hospitality and welcome. It’s hard, regular, holy, everyday work and deeply satisfying.
On writing.
My writing often includes themes of faith, doubt, hope, loss, relationships, identity, and what it means to be found and loved. . . and also what it means to find and to love. I lost my way and rhythm as a writer for a little while so I feel reserved about making grand promises for how or when I’ll show up here on Substack, but I do know this: When I show up at The Foundry it will be honest and written with you in mind.
Why ‘The Foundry’?
Foundry is another name for workshop—specifically where metal work is being done. The word ‘foundry’ originated from the Latin word fundere which means to “to pour or melt” and this seems just right to me. These Substack letters are where I work out ideas in the shop—more polished and finished ones go in places like books or articles—but these will be my work-in-progress words poured out in letter form with you in mind.
From the Workshop:
Like metal can end up in everything from paper clips to guitar strings, forks or engagement rings, a spade or a canteen, The Foundry is my attempt to pour out something that is useful or entertaining, nourishing or beautiful, or even something that helps you grow or keep going. (So many possibilities.) And who knows? We may be surprised at what the workshop will produce.
Workshops are exactly where makers and their friends belong, so this is me inviting you to show up along with me at The Foundry.
I’m committing to the pour and the process.
And You?
I hope The Foundry will give you courage for the pour and the process, too.
Together,
Adriel
Bio:
Adriel Booker is a writer, speaker, and curator who believes the best things in life happen while gathered around the table. She lives with her family among the gum trees and sea breezes of a small town on Ngarrindjeri Country in the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, where they own and operate a vintage café, guesthouse, and co-working studio for creatives. Adriel is the author of Tethered to Hope and Grace Like Scarlett, writes at The Foundry on Substack, and can also be found at AdrielBooker.com and @adrielbooker.
All the places:
www.adrielbooker.com for articles, resources, and details regarding speaking; or @adrielbooker if you’re looking for me on social media. Of course you can always message me from here, too:
Books:
Tethered to Hope: The Quiet Kindness of Crisis, Change, and the Spaces In Between
Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope After Miscarriage and Loss
Pregnancy loss support:
Liturgy for Baby Loss Remembrance Service
