The Russell Moore Show Allen Levi on Theo of Golden
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Mar 4, 2026 
Allen Levi, author and musician behind Theo of Golden, talks about faith, kindness, and ordinary holiness. He reflects on the book’s origin, writing through COVID, and how real people shaped his characters. They explore why small, attentive acts matter and how stories can provoke Godward thought without sentimentality.
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Finding Theo In Portugal
- Allen Levi tested the Portuguese authenticity of the name Theo by searching donation walls and cafes while researching in Portugal.
- He finally found a Porto cafe called Theo's Bar and Grill, confirming the name and renewing his resolve to finish the novel.
Caring Year With Brother Shaped Levi
- Levi spent a year caring for his brother Gary with brain cancer; that year was the best of his life despite grief.
- Writing a memorial letter to family became a published piece through Andrew Peterson and later helped shape his voice.
Kindness Rooted In Heaven
- Theo of Golden is about kindness but more importantly about the theological reason for kindness rooted in heaven.
- Allen says Theo links everyday kindness to everlasting life, so acts are not random but reflect the coming kingdom.
