Interview with Todd Morrison, Author of A Profound Mercy

What can you tell us about your new release, A Profound Mercy?

It’s the extraordinary true story of my life – though, sometimes I wish it wasn’t.  It’s a story about how I was rescued time, and time again, from a broken family, from abusive relationships, after being abandoned by my parents, after being pulled into a high-end cocaine dealing ring at 16, from my later addiction to opioid pain medication, and so much more.  While not many people have a story like mine, we all have a story and this one is relatable to everyone’s story.  God rescued me in my brokenness and anyone who reads this book will think – “Wow, If God can rescue Todd, who now lives a productive life – God can certainly rescue me!”

What or who inspired you to become an author?

For years as I spoke at conferences, organizations and churches, people told me “you need to write a book about your life”.  It took me a while to come to the place where I was sure I had something to offer people, to make their life better, rather than just a story to tell.  I think we did that in this book.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Not in any particular order:

“First Break All the Rules” – Buckingham

“The Motive” & “Five Dysfunctions of a Team” – both by Patrick Lencioni

“The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning – a game changer for me.

“Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” – Ruth Haley Barton

I just listened to “Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey, loved it!

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I’d like to invite two or three of the living former Presidents – whether Democrat or Republican their lives and stories are fascinating.  I love that George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are friends!  I’d also invite Brennan Manning, Ruth Haley Barton and Patrick Lencioni.  It would be a panel discussion on faith and leadership.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love the process of putting the story together.  I wrote a non-fiction memoir, but it is equal parts drama, thriller and self-help book rolled into one.  So putting the story together in a way that captures the reader’s attention so they want to keep turning the page, while staying true to a timeline, was a lot of fun.

What is a typical day like for you?

These days, having just released a book, I’m spending a lot of time marketing and promoting “A Profound Mercy”.  I just finished the Audible version and looking to get that released as soon as Amazon can make that happen.  But, I’m a family man – a husband and the father of 3 beautiful girls, 16, 14 and 5 years old.  They keep me young and fully engaged in their lives.  Actually, my 16 year old , Gracie, has helped a lot with my social media marketing. It is a lot of fun for me that my daughter cares enough about my work to jump in and help make a difference.  She told me the other day that she’s going with me on speaking engagements.  I love that!

What scene from Profound Mercy was your favorite to write?

I had this “miraculous” encounter with my grandfather when I was 17 years old.  I was living on the edge as a cocaine distributor in Charleston, SC.  I was making a ton of money and hanging out on a yacht and doing whatever I wanted.  But, I was absolutely miserable.  I showed up at my grandfather’s house in Chicago for what I thought would be our last visit.  Cancer would take his life in just six short weeks.  Before I could say a word, my grandfather stretched his hand to my knee and wept over the condition of my life – repeating the words “I’m so sorry, Todd”.  He was dying, yet he wept over the pain he could see in my eyes.  That encounter changed my life from that day on.  It was emotional and powerful for me to relive that experience – what an offering of sacrificial love he gave to a 17 year old kid who desperately needed it but did not deserve it.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

 I try to love God with all I am and love the people around me as well as I can.  I love a quote attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, though I’m not sure whether he said it or not: “Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words.”  Whoever said it – I like it!

Todd Morrison is the author of the new book Profound Mercy

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