Forefront 360: Recent Episodes
Forefront Festival
The team from Forefront Festival takes you around the intersection of the arts and the Christian faith.
In this special crossover episode with the Understanding the Book of Daniel Podcast from Browncroft Community Church, Peter Englert joins podcast regulars Rich and Nate to discuss the literary qualities of the book of Daniel.
Cody and Rich sit around the proverbial campfire and share some excellent poems.
- Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley
- Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost
- Something Gold Has Come by Cody Adams
Cody interviews writer Ryan Rickrode about poetry, stories, faith, and education.
The end of the episode includes a scored excerpt from the beginning of Rickrode's newest book, The Mountains May Depart, a novel about grief, prayer, and forgiveness set in Missoula, Montana. Rickrode calls this a "scored" story because he's paired the passage with original music he wrote to accompany the text. At the start of The Mountains May Depart a year has passed since Dan and Sarah lost their young son in a car accident caused by Sarah. Sarah is thinking about leaving Dan, Dan is struggling to figure how he and Sarah can begin to reconnect. In this excerpt Sarah pretends to be asleep while Dan gets dressed to go jogging, then she gets out of bed and opens her prayer book. God feels distant but she prays anyway.
Cody, Nate and Megan discuss Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives Out mystery film by Rian Johnson, now streaming on Netflix.
Cody and Rich read & review Thank You, Ma'am, a short story by Langston Hughes. They explore the literary features and Christian themes in this moving story.
Today on Forefront 360, Cody interviews Matthew J. Andrews.
Matthew J. Andrews is primarily a poet, although he dabbles in prose. In his work, Matthew examines the intersection of the spiritual and the secular, the wrestling match between belief and doubt, and the challenges of practicing an ancient faith in a modern world. His writing also explores the many faces of the natural world and the sacredness of small moments, among other things. He is a native Californian now living in Central Iowa.
When he is not writing, Matthew is a professional private investigator, a voracious reader, an amateur chef, a wannabe outdoorsman, a sometimes runner, a doting husband, and a competent father of two.
Rich and Nate discuss some of the art they've been experiencing lately:
- All Shall Be Well by Good Shepherd Collective
- Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Haunted Cosmos
- The Lord of Spirits
Dan, Rich, and Nate discuss the question "What is Christian music?" This kicks off the new series Forefront Sounds, a new show on the Forefront Podcast Network, in which music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. Through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.
We have the pilot episode of Forefront Sounds in the Forefront 360 feed today. To hear future episodes of Forefront Sounds, subscribe to the new show on your favorite podcast app.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forefront-sounds/id1841123765
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/44qQUdAuJOi9U2wZ1GFT2X
Earlier this year, Nate & Rich reviewed the first 2 episodes of The Chosen Season 5. In this episode, they finish reviewing the whole season. They discuss the unique pacing of the season, the character development of John and Judas, and the dramatic ending. The first 11 minutes of this episode are spoiler-free, so you can listen even if you haven’t watched Season 5.
In this episode, Cody interviews Mark Buchanan. Mark is an author, speaker, pastor, and professor. He is the Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose University.
Cody and Rich interview Dr. Benjamin Myers about his new book of essays, Ambiguity & Belonging. The conversation covers, among other things, the formation that comes from sticking in a community; the balance of particularity and ambiguity in the arts; whether reading classics is important; the benefits of sports; and whether non-Scripture poetry ought to be part of church services.
In this quick episode, we summarize two special opportunities coming up this month:
- Art for Ukraine benefit event on June 6 at Browncroft Community Church. Admission is free. RSVP here.
- Bombadil: A Four-Week Study of Vocation, Calling, and Mastery. Sign up here.
Cody, Nate, and special guest Megan Mancini discuss the new hit series on Prime Video, House of David.
Nate and Rich discuss Season 5, Part 1 of The Chosen, the acclaimed series about Jesus and his disciples. The first 15 minutes of this podcast episode is spoiler-free, so you can listen even if you haven't yet seen The Chosen Season 5.
Cody talks to singer/songwriter Jesse Dean Boland about Canada, church music, drums, and his new single, Old Church Pew.
Nate talks to Matthew Mellema about his new middle-grade novel, RED REX—how Matthew crafted the story, how he was informed by history, and how he thinks about the integration of faith and literature.
Matthew Mellema is the author of RED REX (Bandersnatch Books). He was born and raised in Colorado Springs: a place surrounded by dinosaur bones. After studying literature at Oxford and law at Yale, Matthew returned to Colorado. Once back home, the dinosaur bones of his childhood reignited his imagination.
Zack speaks with Cary Brege of Havenwood about hospitality, house shows, and the essential role of beauty in the world.
In this special Christmas episode, Dr. Benjamin Myers reads his essay Advent in Oklahoma. His new book, Ambiguity and Belonging, is now available from Belle Point Press.
Now that Cody has just finished reading The Lord of the Rings for the first time, he and Nate discuss its brilliance, its quirks, and its enduring appeal.
Heather speaks to Jennifer E. Greenman, a landscape watercolor painter who explores the moody and temporal landscapes of our world. Her impressionist-style brushwork and harmonious color schemes connect the viewer to a world that is endlessly being created again and again by its Maker.
Rich, Nate and Megan discuss Season 2 of the Prime Video series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The first 20 minutes are spoiler-free reactions, so you can listen before you watch. After that, we move to our detailed thoughts on the season.
Heather speaks to mixed media artist Cody F. Miller about his art, experiences, and inspirations.
Rich, Nate and special guest Dan Christman review The Chosen Season 4. The first 17 minutes are spoiler-free, so you can listen even if you haven't watched the season yet.
Zack talks to singer/songwriter Benjamin Daniel. They discuss the process of becoming a songwriter, artistic influences, goals & passions, and holding on to Christ.
Rich and Heather discuss various art they've been experiencing recently:
- Polaroid Lovers by Sarah Jarosz
- Dr. Who
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
- Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
- As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again by The Decemberists
Nate, Cody, and special guest Luke Rosamilia review Leif Enger's latest novel, I Cheerfully Refuse.
The first 30 minutes of the episode are spoiler-free, then we dive into plot details.
The Forefront crew & guest stars gather to discuss the question "Is it time for hero movies to end?" We talk about our favorite superhero films, the difference between a hero and a superhero, and why hero movies could have lasting value for society.
Cody and Nate discuss Josh Garrels' new single, Watchman, and then rank their favorite songs in Josh Garrels' entire discography.
Rich, Nate and Gage discuss whether all artistic mediums are welcome in church.
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 03:33 - What artistic mediums are you used to seeing in worship services?
- 13:40 - Why do many churches emphasize music over every other art form?
- 21:40 - A brief history of images & icons in church
- 40:09 - Should we expand our understanding of what "worship" means in the gathered church?
- 01:00:19 - Are there limits to the mediums or styles of art that would be appropriate in a church space (outside of corporate worship)?
Nate talks to Goldenwood founders David Kim and Amilee Watkins about Spiritual Formation for artists. This is the first episode in a special series based on the Goldenwood Institute.
Rev. Dr. David Kim is the CEO and co-founder of Goldenwood. Over the past several decades, he has trained, consulted, and counseled hundreds of leaders and organizations in developing a robust integration of faith and work. David’s past roles include Executive Director of the Center for Faith & Work, Director of the Gotham Fellowship, and editor of the NIV Faith and Work Bible. He was also our keynote speaker at Forefront Festival 22.
Amilee Watkins is the COO and co-founder of Goldenwood. Her work in the faith and work space has spanned over a decade, focusing on leadership development and spiritual formation at the Center for Faith & Work, and helping lead the Gotham Fellowship program.
Zack and Nate discuss the art they've been experiencing recently: The Jingle Workshop by Raymond Scott and the movie Father Stu.
Cody talks to Ilana Reimer about faith, editing, and the arts.
Ilana Reimer is the editor of Love Is Moving. She studied journalism at Algonquin College and has worked as a freelance journalist and book editor since 2015. Her essays, poetry, and articles have appeared in a number of publications including Ekstasis, Breaking Ground, Faith Today, and Mutuality. In 2022, she was named a Cardus NextGEN Fellow. Ilana is passionate about championing and equipping Christian creators, believing they can be voices of influence, prophecy, and wisdom in our culture. She lives in Vancouver with her husband.
Rich, Nate and Megan discuss the all-new film from director Denis Villeneuve, Dune Part Two.
- 02:47 - Spoiler-free reactions
- 23:23 - Spoilers begin
- 28:43 - Paul's character journey
- 34:30 - Faith & politics in Dune
- 48:57 - Questions & nitpicks
- 01:12:51 - Chani's character journey
- 01:19:47 - Closing thoughts
Cody, Nate and Zack gather for an arts review, discussing the following:
- Neutral Milk Hotel, esp. The King of Carrot Flowers
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in Turkish
- Kings Kaleidoscope by Kings Kaleidoscope
We also mention Zack's article on the Forefront blog, "Jesus etc."
The Forefront crew gathers to discuss the classics: what are they, does it matter if we read them, and how do we read them well?
Spoiler alert; here are the ones that made the draft list at the end:
- Pride and Prejudice
- Little Women
- Treasure Island
- The Grapes of Wrath
- The Lord of the Rings
- A Tale of Two Cities
- The Metamorphosis
- The Odyssey
- Things Fall Apart
- The Count of Monte Cristo
- Anna Karenina
- The Joy Luck Club
- The Great Gatsby
- Charlotte's Web
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Cody, Rich and Nate gather for the first arts review of the year to discuss:
- Sacred Strides book by Justin McRoberts
- The Bear TV series
- The Boy and the Heron film
- Memories in Old Age poem by Maryann Corbett
Since Advent is a perfect season to begin rhythms of prayer & meditation, today Rich talks to Taylor Buckley, Director of Influencer & Brand Marketing at Hallow. Hallow is a popular Christian prayer & meditation app.
If you'd like to try Hallow free for 3 months: Hallow.com/Forefront
Rich, Cody, Nate, Zack, and special guest Lauren Lowin gather to discuss C.S. Lewis's beloved series, The Chronicles of Narnia.
We cover what Narnia means to us personally, whether Narnia is for kids, whether we like the "allegorical" elements of the Chronicles, what adaptations we like and dislike, what we hope for the Netflix adaptations, and of course, our favorite passages from the books.
We're doing it on this occasion because the podcast Pints with Jack has established C.S. Lewis's birthday, November 29, as "C.S. Lewis Reading Day." It's the perfect day to talk about Narnia, and the perfect day to pick up the books for yourself!
Cody talks with Veronica McDonald about the enjoyment of surprising stories, the beauty of the Gospel, and the challenges of running a literary journal.
Veronica McDonald is a published fiction writer, poet, visual artist, and editor. She graduated from American University in Washington D.C. with an M.A. Degree in Literature, and has since accumulated a growing list of published work.
In 2019, Veronica started a literary and art journal called Heart of Flesh, where she publishes Christian-themed literature, poetry, art, and photography by writers and artists from around the world. In 2021, she began a literary magazine for kids and families, called Pure in Heart Stories.
Veronica became a born-again Christian in July 2016 when Jesus saved her from anxiety, depression, and a nihilistic worldview. Since then, she has been fascinated with good and evil, love and fear, life and death, and the various ways the Gospel and biblical themes shine out of secular literature, movies, and storytelling. This fascination is often reflected in her writing and art. You can read her full testimony on the Heart of Flesh website here.
Veronica currently lives in Mobile, Alabama with her husband and three children.
Nate, Rich and Dan discuss the art they've been experiencing recently:
- Anastasia Trusova's paintings
- The Hallow app
- Brother to Brother by Michael Card & John Michael Talbot
- Ordinary Ways by Jon Guerra
Nate, Rich and Dan give their takes on the summer blockbusters of 2023. We keep it free of major spoilers.
- 00:04:23 - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- 00:12:46 - Across the Spider-Verse
- 00:20:25 - John Wick 4
- 00:26:28 - The Flash
- 00:31:44 - Asteroid City
- 00:34:06 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
- 00:45:11 - Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning: Part One
- 00:49:55 - Barbie
- 01:02:38 - Oppenheimer
The Forefront crew continues and broadens their discussion about AI’s impact on the arts:
- How will widely accessible AI tools affect education?
- To what extent will AI displace jobs, and should we be concerned?
- Will using AI negatively affect our spiritual formation?
The Forefront crew discusses AI’s impact on the arts:
- Why has AI become so important recently?
- What are some positive use cases of new AI tools?
- What are our biggest concerns about the use of AI in the arts?
Rich Christman and guest host Houston Arledge interview Dr. Karen Swallow Prior about the ideas in her all-new book, The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis (Brazos, 2023).
Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is a reader, writer, and professor. In addition to The Evangelical Imagination, she is the author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Brazos 2018); Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist (Thomas Nelson, 2014); and Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me (T. S. Poetry Press, 2012). She is co-editor of Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues (Zondervan 2019) and has contributed to numerous other books. She has a monthly column for Religion News Service. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, and various other places. She hosted the podcast Jane and Jesus.
Heather and Cody interview Chris Wheeler, a writer and poet rooted in Middlebury, IN. His nonfiction, liturgies, and poetry have been published in Barren, Fathom, Story Warren, Reformed Worship, Think Christian, Banner, and The Rabbit Room, among others. He published his first collection of poetry, Solace, in 2020. His second collection, Masks & Mirrors, came out in spring 2023.
Cody and Nate discuss The Chosen, the hit multi-season series about the life of Jesus, told from the perspective of His followers.
Topics include:
- How The Chosen came to be
- Does it improve upon other recent Scripture-to-screen adaptations?
- Favorite scenes
- Is the show ever sacrilegious?
- Does The Chosen "bring Scripture to life"?
- Bonus nitpicks
Cody and Rich talk to Laura Reece Hogan.
She is the author of Butterfly Nebula (Backwaters, University of Nebraska Press, forthcoming October 2023), winner of the Backwaters Prize in Poetry, Litany of Flights (Paraclete Press, 2020), winner of the Paraclete Poetry Prize, the chapbook O Garden-Dweller (Finishing Line Press, 2017), and the award-winning nonfiction spiritual theology book I Live, No Longer I (Wipf & Stock, 2017). She is one of ten poets featured in the anthology In a Strange Land (Cascade Books, 2019).
You can preorder Butterfly Nebula today.
Jennifer Greenman interviews Josh & Zac Tiessen, live at Forefront Festival's A Night of Art. They discuss questions of faith, conservation, artistic process, elitism, and dealing with success and failure.
In this special episode, Nate talks to artists Josh & Zac Tiessen about two upcoming events based on Josh's new painting series, Vanitas and Viriditas. Click below to learn more or get tickets.
- Grand Opening Exhibition at Rehs Contemporary in NYC, April 28
- Forefront Festival: A Night of Art with Josh & Zac Tiessen in Rochester NY, May 4
Live from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview Dr. James Matthew Wilson.
James Matthew Wilson is Cullen Foundation Chair in English Literature and the Founding Director of the Master of Fine Arts program in Creative Writing, at the University of Saint Thomas, Houston. He is an award-winning scholar of philosophical-theology and literature, and he is a poet and critic of contemporary poetry. His work appears regularly in First Things, The Wall Street Journal, The Hudson Review, and many other publications. He has published twelve books, including six books and chapbooks of poetry.
Cody, Rich, and Nate discuss how their career journeys intersected with the arts, and whether art is done best as a hobby or a career.
Live from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview James K. A. Smith.
James K. A. Smith is professor of philosophy at Calvin University, where he holds the Gary & Henrietta Byker Chair in Applied Reformed Theology and Worldview. He is also the Editor in Chief of Image Journal. Trained as a philosopher with a focus on contemporary French thought, Smith has expanded on that scholarly platform to become an engaged public intellectual and cultural critic. An award-winning author and a widely traveled speaker, he has emerged as a thought leader with a unique gift of translation, building bridges between the academy, society, and the church.
In this conversation we discuss a number of topics at the intersection of Christianity, philosophy, and the arts, with a focus on James's new book, How to Inhabit Time: Understanding the Past, Facing the Future, Living Faithfully Now.
Live from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview Paul J. Pastor.
Paul J. Pastor is a poet, writer, and editor from Oregon. His work uncovers the inner life of the world, as experienced in nature, literature, and the rich traditions of historic Christian spirituality.
Paul is the author of several books, including Bower Lodge: Poems, A Kids Book About God, The Listening Day series, and The Face of the Deep. His work has been widely published in many fine outlets, including Books & Culture, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Windhover, Christianity Today, Fathom, Ekstasis, Solum Literary Press, and has been anthologized by The New York Quarterly Review.
Forefront Festival and the Why God Why Podcast continue the second annual Christmas Variety Show!
Act II features these artists:
- The Kenaniah Project
- Kathryn Sullo
- The Houghton Choir
Join us as we celebrate Christmas together.
Forefront Festival and the Why God Why Podcast are back for the second annual Christmas Variety Show!
Act I features these artists:
- M. Jerome Bell
- Sarah Collins
- The Houghton Choir
Join us as we celebrate Christmas together.
Nate sits down with author & pastor Jared C. Wilson (while Jared was in Rochester!) to discuss the art of pastoring, Jared's fiction novels (including a secret unpublished one), combat with snakes, and beyond.
Jared C. Wilson is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Author in Residence at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, General Editor of For The Church (and host of the FTC Podcast), and a pastor and Director of The Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He is an award-winning author of over 20 books. Jared also co-hosts The Art of Pastoring Podcast published by Christianity Today.
Live from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview Dr. Glenn Arbery.
Glenn Arbery is a teacher, writer, and novelist currently working as the president of Wyoming Catholic College. Some of his famous works include the oft taught Why Literature Matters; What is a Teacher; and his recent novel, Boundaries of Eden. He has successfully written journalistically, academically, and creatively for decades, to the glory of God.
Cody interviews Ryan Diaz, a writer and poet from Queens, NY, about his new book Skipping Stones.
In Skipping Stones, Ryan writes about many things, long-dead saints, personal tragedy, everyday observations, and the nature of prayer. But what connects this collection is Ryan's desire for a transcendent experience. His vivid and story-driven poems create a secondary world for the reader to explore, worlds in which belief is possible and the divine looms large. For Ryan, "the Christian poet, and storyteller as well, is like the blind man whom Christ touched," and poetry "an invitation to deeper and stranger visions."
Live from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview Gregory Wolfe.
Gregory Wolfe is a writer, editor, publisher, and teacher. He has been a pioneer in the resurgence of interest in the relationship between art and religion. He is the founder & editor of Slant Books, which is an independent, not-for-profit literary press. In 1989, Wolfe founded Image, which Annie Dillard has called “one of the best journals on the planet.” Now one of America’s top literary quarterlies, Image is a unique forum for the best writing and artwork that is informed by—or grapples with—religious faith.
Heather and Rich talk to Gage Forster, a photographer living in Southern California with a unique penchant for travel. Gage takes us through the unique joys & challenges of being a freelancer who is focused on building relationships with people rather than simply gaining industry clout.
Rich, Nate and Megan discuss the new series from Amazon Prime Video, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. This is a long episode—but so are the best adventures. It is divided up into three "rings," so you can listen to different parts depending on how many spoilers you want.
- 00:02:44 Ring 1: General Reactions (Spoiler-Free)
- 00:38:41 Ring 2: Specific Reactions (Spoilers for Season 1)
- 00:43:21 The Harfoots & the Stranger
- 00:49:28 Galadriel, Halbrand and Numenor
- 01:20:43 The Southlands
- 01:28:37 Elves and Dwarves
- 01:37:07 Favorite Characters
- 01:40:22 Favorite Scenes
- 01:51:02 Ring 3: Speculation on the Future of the Series
- 01:57:35 Closing Thoughts
Rich and Zack discuss Hayao Miyazaki's 2001 film, Spirited Away, including its depictions of beauty and its resonant themes. Film synopsis: During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
Forefront podcast host Heather Morgigno talks to photographer Caroline Jensen.
Caroline is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and a creative artist. While she adores making all sorts of photographic art, her biggest passion is guiding other people to success, whatever that may be.
Caroline's images strive to always take one step out of reality, be that digital painting, moving photos (cinemagraphs, time-lapse, or stop-motion), or creative editing. Photography can be therapeutic in many ways, and making the connection between this art form and stress relief is a huge part of her work.
To learn more from Caroline, check out the Creative Photography Network!
Forefront podcast host Heather Morgigno talks to photographer Caroline Jensen.
Caroline is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and a creative artist. While she adores making all sorts of photographic art, her biggest passion is guiding other people to success, whatever that may be.
Caroline's images strive to always take one step out of reality, be that digital painting, moving photos (cinemagraphs, time-lapse, or stop-motion), or creative editing. Photography can be therapeutic in many ways, and making the connection between this art form and stress relief is a huge part of her work.
To learn more from Caroline, check out the Creative Photography Network!
Nate and Zack talk to tap dance artist & TED fellow Andrew Nemr about his all-new virtual course developed in partnership with Forefront, Spiritual Formation for Artists.
As artists, we are always in the act of formation: crafting sentences, mixing colors, shaping sounds, cultivating audiences. But as we practice our disciplines, how are we being formed? Taught by Andrew Nemr, an internationally renowned tap dance artist & TED fellow, this course will consider the link between our art practices and who we are becoming as we create. Sessions will include discussion on spiritual formation and disciplines, artistic practices in both personal and professional spheres, and draw from authors such as Dallas Willard and Makoto Fujimura. It is our hope that in considering how we are formed by our art making, we will be formed into the likeness of our loving Creator.
Learn more at ForefrontFestival.com and register starting August 30.
We're excited to share this breakout session led by Josh Tiessen, recorded at Forefront Festival '22: Making New. It's called Becoming a Professional Artist while Keeping Your Faith (and Sanity!). Renowned painter Josh Tiessen shares the practical side of making an art career, from a Christian perspective. How do we regularly produce quality work? How do we network or market ourselves to have our work seen and appreciated by others? Josh does Q&A afterward and provides encouragement to aspiring artists.
Forefront podcasters Rich, Cody, and Heather, plus returning guest Dan Becker, discuss all things Stranger Things. Note: the first 20 minutes are spoiler-free, but spoilers abound after that.
- 02:19 - When Did You Start Watching Stranger Things?
- 05:59 - What Made Stranger Things Successful?
- 20:08 - Spoilers Begin / What Did You Think of Season 4?
- 28:14 - Should Everyone Watch Stranger Things?
- 34:56 - Biblical Themes in Stranger Things
- 01:02:09 - Favorite Character / Which Song Would You Play?
Cody and Nate interview poet Sarah Collins about her new book, Recovery from Unusual Attitudes.
Sarah Collins is a copywriter, poet, and emerging author. Sarah's writing style is fluid, flexing between different writer identities. And her work explores a variety of themes — faith, identity, emotions, nature, the mundane, the extraordinary. Her parents are from Jamaica, so she's proud of being a second-generation American. Her culture informs everything she does, from her creative expression to how she cleans the kitchen or folds fitted sheets. She lives in the Greater Rochester Area with her husband Ed and their sassy house rabbits, Buddy and Birdie.
We're excited to share this breakout session led by Timothy Leaven, recorded at Forefront Festival '22: Making New. It's called Songwriting: Befriending Revision and Re-Writing Your Way to Better Lyrics. “Most strong songs are not written. They are re-written.” How does one press into the songwriting process after the initial spark has faded? How does one know when lyrics are developed enough? What tools are worth having in one’s back pocket while revising? Timothy Leaven will share from his ten years as a songwriter and re-writer, with Q&A afterward.
Nate and Rich talk to nature photographer Heather Morgigno about how to take great bird photos, whether photography "counts" as an art form, and how photography can proclaim the glory of God.
Would you like to be the next guest on Forefront 360? Just head over to the Get Involved page and fill out the short form.
We're excited to share this breakout session led by Joy Ike, recorded at Forefront Festival '22: Making New. It's called The Birds & The Bees: Pollination in an Age of Politicization. In an era of political correctness, identity politics, and fear-based messaging, dealing in hope can feel daunting. What does cultural transformation look like in the middle of so much deterioration? If the Gospel is real and true, then surely there is a light at the end of this very long tunnel, right? Join Joy Ike as she shares reflections on how we can plant good seeds and watch them grow…how we can spread those wild (kingdom) oats and witness the abundant goodness of our God in the land of the living.
Cody, Rich and Nate talk about the stories that never die — the endless string of remakes, sequels and spinoffs that is occurring around each major sci-fi and fantasy property. This episode contains spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Outline:
- 2:02 Topic intro
- 4:42 What are the elements a story continuation really needs?
- 9:14 Spoiler-filled review of Spider-Man: No Way Home
- 22:51 Stories you never thought could happen
- 29:18 What is a story that has been continued that should not have been?
- 42:58 What is a story that has not been continued that should have been?
- 51:14 Stories that are written to be contained
- 53:53 What currently announced story continuation are you most excited about?
- 1:00:15 Why do we refuse to let go of certain stories?
Forefront board member Zack Osinski moderates a special on-stage interview at Forefront Festival '22, featuring singer/songwriter Joy Ike and painter & actor Brian Ferris.
Forefront Chairman Rich Christman interviews musician Jonathan Ogden.
From delicate acoustic songs to jazz and hip-hop infused pop, Jonathan crafts musical soundscapes that invite the listener on a journey. With a background in graphic design, he is passionate about exploring the intersection of visual art and music to form a complete experience. Describing his songs as ‘prayers set to music’ he expresses his faith through psalm-like lyrics and sweeping, melodic instrumentation. Following the release of his beat tape, Twenty Four, and an acoustic EP, Songs From Home, Jonathan is now releasing singles and working towards his first full-length album, Future Forever.
Check out Jonathan's work:
- Jonathan Ogden Music
- Magnify Studio
- Sencha
- Rivers & Robots
Rev. Dr. David Kim delivers the opening keynote at Forefront Festival '22, titled The Critical Calling of Artists in Times of Darkness.
Nate and Rich give a preview of what's happening at Forefront Festival '22: Making New. Join us in Rochester, NY on Feb 19 for a vibrant festival of faith and art.
Learn More / Get Tickets
Nate talks to singer/songwriter Timothy Leaven about songwriting, sourdough, sadness, and more.
Help crowdfund Tim's next album at kickstartleaven.com.
Come see Tim (and many other incredible artists) at Forefront Festival 2022.
The 2021 Christmas Variety Show hosted by Forefront Festival and Why God Why, recorded in front of a live studio audience, is back for a second & final act.
In this Act:
- Music from Victoria Moore's jazz combo
- A non-fiction story from Kyle Navratil
- Music from Timothy Leaven
Plus, conversations with the artists about why Christmas still gives us hope.
Forefront Festival joins Why God Why for a special Christmas Variety Show, recorded in front of a live studio audience.
In this Act:
- Music from The Noble Kind
- Music from Cottage Street Band
- Poetry from Ryan Diaz
- Music from Victoria Moore's jazz combo
- A short story from Cody Schweickert
Plus, conversations with the artists about why Christmas still gives us hope.
Rich and Nate interview Eva Ting. Eva is the Director of Events and Programming at W83 Ministry Center, the home of Redeemer West Side Church that also serves as a community and cultural center on the Upper West Side of New York City. Her interests lie in cultivating spaces for community engagement and designing art experiences and events that invite the public to participate in thoughtful conversations as well as thoughtful action. Prior to her work at W83, Eva was the Public Programs Coordinator at Times Square Alliance, executing public art installations and events in one of the world’s most iconic urban places. Eva lived in Shanghai, China for several years and directed twocities, a gallery that specialized in contemporary craft and hosted music and cultural events, including a well-loved jazz performance series. Eva is a member of Christians in the Visual Arts and served as a board member.
In the episode we also mention Eva's new nonprofit, Here to Honor, and the video Nate produced for Goldenwood that features Eva.
Rich and Cody interview poet Ryan Diaz.
Ryan Diaz is a writer, poet, and theologian from Queens, NY. He holds a BA in History from St. Johns University and is completing a MA in Biblical Studies. His writing has appeared in publications like Transcendentals, Dappled Things, Ekstasis, and Premier Christianity. His first poetry book, For Those Wandering Along the Way, debuted in 2021.
Ryan’s poetic work seeks to find the divine in the ordinary, the thin place where the transcendent and the mundane meet. His academic interests include the literature of J.R.R. Tolkien and the Inklings, the Christian Mystical tradition, and the relationship between Art and Faith. He currently lives in Queens, NY with his wife Janiece.
Forefront Chairman Rich Christman talks to Mike McDonald from BibleProject about the use of animation to help people understand Scripture.
Mike McDonald works on cultivating awareness and creating strategic relationships with churches, organizations and other non-profits that are looking to use BibleProject Videos in their context. He also leads their Global Focus team which is working on localizing their videos into different languages. He previously spent 11 years leading a global development organization as well as serving on several boards for international organizations with compassion and justice missions. In a previous life, he owned and operated restaurants in Canada and the US, and still loves enjoying a great meal in new cities with his wife, Melissa.
In this special episode, Forefront director Nate Mancini talks to professor, author and speaker Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson. This episode was recorded with a live studio audience at the Imagination Redeemed conference in Colorado Springs. In the first half we discuss which of today’s authors give Jessica hope for the future of fiction literature, how artists should read books differently from others, how to build an online presence without losing your soul, and of course, how our faith drives us to excellence in the arts. The second half features virtual audience questions from authors such as Dr. Russell Moore, Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, Dr. Benjamin Myers, and Dr. Ralph C. Wood.
Jessica Hooten Wilson is the Louise Cowan Scholar in Residence at the University of Dallas. She is the author of Giving the Devil his Due: Flannery O’Connor and The Brothers Karamazov, which received a 2018 Christianity Today Book of the Year Award in the Culture & the Arts; as well as two books on Walker Percy: The Search for Influence: Walker Percy and Fyodor Dostoevsky (Ohio State University Press, 2017) and Reading Walker Percy’s Novels (Louisiana State University Press, 2018); most recently she co-edited Solzhenitsyn and American Culture: The Russian Soul in the West(University of Notre Dame Press, 2020). She has received numerous fellowships, grants, and awards, including a Fulbright Fellowship to the Czech Republic, an NEH grant to study Dante in Florence in 2014, and the Biola Center for Christian Thought sabbatical fellowship. In 2018 she received the Emerging Public Intellectual Award given by a coalition of North American think tanks in collaboration with the Centre for Christian Scholarship at Redeemer University College, and in 2019 she received the Hiett Prize in Humanities from The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture.
Jessica has two books releasing in 2022, which you can preorder today: The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints and Learning the Good Life: Wisdom from the Great Hearts and Minds that Came Before.
Rich talks to composer Zac Tiessen about his surprising start in the music world, his inspiration, and his latest project Streams in the Wasteland.
Zac Tiessen is an international award-winning musician, composer and audio engineer based near Toronto, Canada. His innovative techniques and cinematic progressive music have been featured numerous times in the media and press (Guitar World Magazine, Toronto Star). Tiessen has been awarded multiple FACTOR Canada music grants for his original compositions as a solo artist. In addition to his two solo EPs and debut full-length original soundtrack album "Streams In The Wasteland," his composing credits include music for Netflix and Ubisoft (Playstation/Xbox). Endorsed by six guitar companies, including Canton Custom Instruments, Tiessen co-designed and released his signature eight string Canton electric guitar. He studied music theory, guitar performance, production (mixing/mastering) and film scoring through UCLA and Berklee College of Music, where he was awarded a Celebrity Scholarship from Grammy-winning producer Don Was. Working out of ZT Music Studio, Tiessen has engineered thousands of songs for other bands and artists from over 45 countries, including Billboard charting albums, with millions of views and streams online.
In this lively episode, Cody, Rich and Nate explicate the Gospel themes (whether intentionally present or not) in Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings — and debate which tale best evokes the beauty of the Great Story.
Rich and Dan talk to Adam Bannister, the founder of the band Songs for Revival and a full time missionary with Inca Link. He is currently serving in Honduras to raise worship leaders and assist youth programs until August 2021. Afterwards, he will be moving to the mountains of Guatemala to serve as a worship leader.
Songs for Revival was born in January 2020 during a trip to Guatemala. Adam was unsure of his next steps after college, but he had recently begun writing music for the first time. He was inspired by the words of the Gospel of Luke, and by January 2020, he'd written 17 of the 20 songs of what would become the first album, It Is Finished.
Songs for Revival consists of six members: Adam Bannister, Brooke Bannister, Katie Shaw Ficker, Giovanna Johnson, Mollie Landman, and Peter Stauffer. Over the past year they have continued to write and share their music and see the Lord bring healing, joy, and revival through the singing of His Word. They will be releasing an album telling the story of Moses later this fall.
Learn more about the band at: songsforrevival.com
Forefront chairman Rich Christman talks to artist Josh Tiessen.
Born in 1995 in Moscow, Russia, Josh Tiessen is an international award-winning artist based near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, He was listed as one of the world’s top ten prodigy artists (Huffington Post) and recognized as the only known male art prodigy in North America (Dr. J. Ruthsatz, international child prodigy expert). His hyperreal shaped oil paintings, which take up to 1700 hours to complete, reflect the interaction between the natural world and human-made structures, drawing upon his studies in philosophy, theology and intercultural aesthetics.
Click here to learn about or preorder Josh's new book, Streams in the Wasteland.
At a recent Forefront virtual event, we screened the short film "Identity" featuring internationally known tap dance artist Andrew Nemr. The film joins Andrew as he navigates being the only son of immigrants, a trusted keeper of the oral tradition of tap dance, and a follower of Jesus Christ. Through many challenges we see Andrew as he literally dances his way through questions about family, ethnicity, race, art, community, and where one’s identity really comes from.
In this special podcast episode, listen to the conversation that Forefront director Nate Mancini had with Andrew about what it means to find our identity.
Forefront Podcast Director Cody Schweickert talks to Peter Englert, the Adult Ministries Director at Browncroft Community Church. Peter co-hosts the Why God Why Podcast, which explores the questions that matter most in people lives — often the questions people do not feel safe to ask in church.
In this episode, Cody and Peter discuss what it means to look at the Bible as literature instead of as a purely descriptive or scientific text. If the Bible is art, how does that change how we read it, and how will it change our relationship with God?
Rich, Nate, Zack and Dan discuss what they've been creating recently.
Subscribe to Forefront 360 in your favorite podcast app so you don't miss future episodes, and be sure to join the conversation on Instagram!
Forefront board member Zack Osinski talks to percussionist Josh Graham about music, church, racial reconciliation, and the joys and challenges of life as a musician.
The Christmans and the Mancinis review "A Week Away," Netflix's new musical set at a Christian camp.
Rich Christman interviews painter Misato Pang. Born and raised in Hong Kong to Japanese and Chinese parents, Misato migrated to the United States during late adolescence. Up until recently, she lived in New York City and relocated to St. Louis in the past year. Misato's works overlap personal narrative and cultural events, some of which allude to current social phenomenon and political discourse in Asia. She has participated in various residencies and exhibitions in the United States and Japan. Her most recent solo exhibition, "Breakdown", was a two-part exhibition that guides viewers through phases of the artist's creative process using verbal and visual languages. The synthesis of visual and auditory cues recreate spaces and moments in time, hence inviting the viewers to reflect and enter these intimate spaces that happened in isolation and solitude.
We invite you to enjoy this multi-layered conversation about faith, artistry, and identity.
“You can walk on water if you are painting it.”
Forefront leaders Nate Mancini and Rich Christman had the opportunity to speak with renowned artist Makoto Fujimura about the intersection of art and faith. In this far-reaching conversation, they talk about Mako’s routines & practices, his slow process of creation, how artists can bring God’s abundance to a world of scarcity, and ultimately, how Christ is deeply present in our experiences of darkness & trauma.
As a special bonus, we conclude with some audience questions from artists like singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken and tap dancer Andrew Nemr.
Makoto Fujimura (b. 1960, Boston) is a leading contemporary artist whose process driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”.
Fujimura’s art has been featured widely in galleries and museums around the world, and is collected by notable collections including The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, The Huntington Library as well as Tikotin Museum in Israel.
Fujimura is also an arts advocate, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003-2009, Fujimura served as an international advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts.
Fujimura founded the International Arts Movement in 1992, now IAMCultureCare, which oversees the Fujimura Institute. Most recently, he co-founded the Kintsugi Academy.
We are honored to share this special interview.
In this new arts review episode:
- Nate reads a passage from East of Eden by John Steinbeck
- Zack discusses music by Brenna MacCrimmon and Selim Sesler
- Rich reviews "Shore" by Fleet Foxes
Cody, Rich and Nate review Pixar's latest film, "Soul." What were the best moments? Was the film overstuffed? What does it try to "say" about the spiritual realm, and do those ideas align with a Christian worldview? And finally, what are the top 5 Pixar films of all time?
Zack talks to Victoria Moore about all things music therapy — what it is, why it works, and how it integrates with her faith and life experience.
The Forefront team gathers to review Christopher Nolan's new film "Tenet" as well as reflect on Nolan's entire filmography.
0:00 - introduction
3:15 - thoughts on the theatrical experience
14:23 - spoiler review of Tenet
44:42 - Nolan's filmography
At Forefront Festival: Virtual, Dr. Benjamin Myers ran a breakout on "incarnational diction" in writing and poetry. In this special episode, listen to the audio from the breakout followed by a discussion by the Forefront Festival team.
The Forefront team — along with special guest Chris Widmer — gathers to discuss the question "Should Christians watch Tarantino movies?" Along the way they consider what sorts of objectionable content are acceptable, whether Tarantino movies have a sense of justice, and to what extent morality is objective vs subjective...and of course, they rank their favorite Quentin Tarantino movies and sequences.
The Forefront team gathers for a new arts review.
- Nate reviews the book Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson
- Rich reviews the TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Cody talks about the song The Cross by Prince (found on the Spiritual Songs playlist by Josh Garrels)
The Forefront team gathers to discuss the art they've been experiencing recently:
- Abbey on Turtledoves
- Sean on C.S. Lewis's The Discarded Image
- Zack on Jonathan Ogden
- Rich on Montell Fish
- Nate on The Chosen
- Cody on Leif Enger's Virgil Wander
In this special episode, the Forefront team gives a preview of all the artists and sessions happening at Forefront Festival: Virtual. The event is Friday, August 7 at 7pm EDT.
Register here:
https://secure.givelively.org/event/forefront-festival-inc/summer-2020/forefront-festival-virtual
Zack Osinski talks to singer/songwriter Joy Ike about how music became her vocation, work vs rest, how her faith journey led to a heart for the world, and how to be an artist during a pandemic.
In this special interview episode, Zack Osinski talks to Delvyn Case. Del is a composer, conductor, performer, and educator who is committed to exploring the power of music to impact communities.
Learn more about Del: http://delvyn-case.squarespace.com
Register for Forefront Festival: Virtual today to gain access to special breakout session with Del.
Cody and Nate interview Ted Kluck. Ted teaches journalism at Union University in Jackson, TN. For the past fifteen years, he has been professionally writing articles, books, and screenplays. He's also the host of The Happy Rant podcast.
- 02:29 - Lightning Round questions
- 24:36 - Writing
- 40:59 - Movie Producing
- 48:25 - Christianity and the Arts
Rich and Cody talk to Grayson Quay about his two original poems published in New English Review, whether poetry should be more accessible, who their favorite poets are, and whether "Christian Art" should be a thing.
Forefront team members Nate Mancini and Sean O'Hare sit down with Switchfoot aficionado Dan Becker to talk about the impact and evolution the band — and how they meld faith and art.
Rich, Nate and Cody are back for a new arts review episode.
- 00:26 - Names and their mispronunciations
- 03:56 - Rich reviews May It Be So: Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer by Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson
- 15:18 - Nate reviews Bigger Than Your Box by Joy Ike and Early Work, Vol. 1 by Josh Garrels
- 19:34 - Cody reviews BRKNHRT by Hulvey
The Forefront team continues their interview with Pastor Kevin Maloney from Grace Road Church in Rochester, NY. Topics include whether we can know God through the beauty of music, what the Ten Commandments say about art used in worship, and what kinds of art Christians shouldn't consume.
The Forefront team interviews Pastor Kevin Maloney from Grace Road Church in Rochester, NY. Topics include the art of preaching, whether the church should patronize art, and whether Christians' art should have an agenda.
The Forefront team is back for a new arts review episode.
- 00:56 - Nate reviews Strahan's book Prayer, Vol. 1 and album Vulnerability
- 10:40 - Zack reviews music by Lowland Hum
- 19:54 - Cody discusses the rapper Hulvey and the book The Christian Imagination
The Forefront team gathers late at night to recap their experience at day 2 of Jubilee, a conference about faith & vocation that happens in Pittsburgh, PA.
During Jubilee 2020, Nate and Sean sat down with Jake Meador (editor-in-chief of Mere Orthodoxy) to discuss how churches can encourage artists, how to inspire young people to appreciate great art, and how our view of the end times impacts our creativity today.
The Forefront team gathers late at night to recap their experience at day 1 of Jubilee, a conference about faith & vocation that happens in Pittsburgh, PA.
Cody, Nate, and Sean talk to Rich about his new post on the Forefront blog, Timeless Stories and Good Theater: Revisiting The Crucible. Topics include seeing yourself reflected in a story's characters, Fantastic Beasts, metaphysical villains, chronological snobbery, not just writing what you know, and odd English words.
The Forefront team gathers in the studio with all-new podcasting equipment for this latest arts review episode.
- 01:01 - Nate recommends some favorite episodes from other podcasts: Cooper and Cary Have Words, Between Dreams, and Redeemed Imagination
- 07:59 - Rich discusses some of his favorite Australian painters: Charles Conder, Arthur Streeton, and Frederick McCubbin
- 19:37 - Sean recalls tales from his adventures in the U.K.
- 24:11 - Cody reviews the new feature film 1917 and the short film Pastime
Star Wars aficionados Cody Schweickert, Rich Christman, and Nate Mancini gather for a special bonus episode to discuss the new film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This episode includes spoilers for the film.
- 00:01:56 - Initial thoughts on The Rise of Skywalker
- 00:11:03 - Highlights of the film
- 00:36:21 - Critiques of the film
- 01:30:11 - Ranking the Star Wars films
- 01:48:24 - What's next for the Star Wars universe
Nate and Rich gather for the final arts review of 2019.
- 00:55 - Nate discusses three recent films with significant themes
- 15:54 - Rich recommends 10 of his favorite Christmas songs and why they matter
We’re pleased to present this live episode of Forefront 360, recorded at Grace Road Church during Forefront Festival Meetup 2019. Forefront board member Zack Osinski interviews singer/songwriter Melanie Penn and designer Austin Zick about how their faith impacts their work in the arts.
Forefront Festival leaders Nate Mancini and Rich Christman talk to artists Jason Barber and Abbey Sitterley about their all-new podcast, Sacred Obscura.
00:00 - Introduction to Sacred Obscura
05:18 - Introduction to the film First Reformed
08:14 - Discussion of First Reformed
31:32 - Good films we've seen with Christian themes
46:50 - Update on the Forefront Festival Meetup
Rich, Sean, and Nate gather for a new arts review episode.
00:00 - Introduction
00:37 - Rich reviews the book Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World by Eric Metaxas
11:03 - Sean reviews the album The Search by NF
17:43 - Nate reviews the book Images and Idols: Creativity for the Christian Life by Thomas Terry and Ryan Lister
Forefront board member Cody Schweickert interviews Brooklyn-based artist Sasha Hallock about faith, art, and Instagram. After serving for ten years in the campus ministry Cru, Sasha transitioned to work with Cru City on the Transform Arts team in 2018. He is passionate about the intersection of art and faith and translating the gospel into the language of creatives.
Forefront board member Zack Osinski interviews Ryan Flanigan — a songwriter, church music director, and curator of new songs for the growing liturgical renewal movement in America.
Learn more at Liturgical Folk's website.
In this arts review episode, Cody Schweickert, Zack Osinski, and Nate Mancini discuss the music and movies they've been experiencing recently.
00:12 - Introduction
00:48 - Zack recounts his experience at a concert featuring Josh Garrels + The Gray Havens
12:42 - Cody discusses 21 Pilots, Joel Ansett, and the book Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.
21:56 - Nate reviews the new biopic Tolkien and recommends the recently completed Enneagram song series by Sleeping at Last
The Forefront Festival team gathers for an all-new arts review:
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Sean reviews the book Confessions by Tolstoy
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Zack reviews the album Lent by Liturgical Folk
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Nate reviews the film American Gospel: Christ Alone
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Rich discusses the work of fashion designer Jerry Lorenzo
Hosted by Forefront marketing director Robbie Davis, fashion designer MollyKate Cline recounts her story of loss and hope, and describes how her faith impacts her work in the world of fashion.
In this special episode, Forefront managing editor Sean O'Hare interviews author Alastair Roberts about his book Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture.
In this special episode, Forefront collaborator Zack Osinski interviews New York-based musician Melanie Penn about how she made major career shifts, what hope means to her, and how Christian artists deal with hardship and misery.
This episode continues the series in which the latest entries on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Nate Mancini reads his new entry, "5 Podcasts Christian Artists Should Listen To." You can read the entry or leave a comment on ForefrontFestival.com/blog.
The Forefront Festival team is here to discuss the art they've been enjoying lately.
00:00 - Introduction
00:44 - Cody recommends the Instagram feed of Sasha Hallock
02:46 - Robbie discusses the faith and fashion design work of MollyKate Cline
06:24 - Zack backtracks his previous disdain of Christmas albums and reviews Melanie Penn's album Immanuel
12:05 - Rich recommends Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
16:15 - Nate reviews First Reformed
The whole Forefront team is here to discuss Sean's new blog entry, "Echoes of Exodus: Reading Scripture as Music."
The latest arts review episode from the Forefront team.
00:30 - Nate reviews First Man
12:28 - Sean discusses Localism in the Mass Age: A Front Porch Republic Manifesto and a local compline service
19:52 - Rich reviews The Crucible and Over the Garden Wall
This discussion episode begins with Nate and Rich welcoming Sean O'Hare as the newest member of the Forefront team. In the feature segment, Nate and Sean interview Rich about the details of coffee and tea: why these beverages are relevant for artists, why coffee seems to win out on social media, and how tea became the mover of nations.
This episode continues the series in which the latest entries on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Rich Christman reads his new entry, "Coffee or Tea: Which is the Better Artist Fuel?" You can read the entry or leave a comment on ForefrontFestival.com/blog.
The latest arts review from the Forefront Festival team.
00:50 - Rich recommends Won't You Be My Neighbor
03:48 - Nate reviews She Waits, the upcoming album by The Gray Havens
07:34 - Zack is in awe of Eurus by The Oh Hellos
10:03 - Cody briefly plugs Joy Electric and then discusses Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck
In this special episode, Forefront collaborator Zack Osinski interviews Brooklyn-based musician Liz Vice about her faith background, the perception of her music, and the wisdom she has for Christians in the arts.
Guest author Sean O’Hare makes his debut on the Forefront 360 podcast! He joins Forefront team members Rich Christman, Nate Mancini, Zack Osinski and Cody Schweickert, live at Forefront Festival Studios, to discuss his latest blog post. It’s a packed episode full of big ideas and timeless poetry — and ultimately a call for all of us to be “up and doing.”
It's time for the Forefront arts review for the month of July!
00:41 - Nate reviews The Incredibles 2
06:42 - Zack reviews Liz Vice's new album, Save Me
12:03 - Cody discusses Jackie Hill Perry's music, a song by Patrick Hamlin, and C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy
20:58 - Rich breaks down the major video game trends from the E3 conference
The Forefront core team discusses Nate’s latest blog entry, “No, All Art Is Not Political.”
00:07 - Introduction 00:49 - Blog entry summary 03:48 - Why do we feel the need to intertwine art and politics? 07:07 - Understanding the purposes of art and politics 09:00 - Is art a waste of time if it doesn’t send a good message? 12:15 - Art that allows you to “just be” 16:12 - What counts as a “clear, positive message”? 19:33 - Are Christians equipped to receive art for art’s sake? 27:43 - Hipsterism is the new Bohemianism 33:30 - Is art ever really only for art’s sake? 37:08 - Everything in its right place — art and political activism
This episode continues the series in which the latest entries on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Nate Mancini reads his new entry, "No, All Art Is Not Political." You can read the entry or leave a comment on ForefrontFestival.com/blog.
In this special episode, Forefront contributor Cody Schweickert interviews Dr. Benjamin Myers. Dr. Myers is a professor of literature and English at Oklahoma Baptist University and former Poet Laureate of Oklahoma. Topics include physical books vs digital books, the heresy of gnosticism and the value of particularity, and Dr. Myers' upcoming book of poetry, Black Sunday: The Dust Bowl Sonnets.
In this special episode, Forefront leader Rich Christman interviews Jason Barber about art, faith, and the necessity of civic engagement.
The whole Forefront team is here for episode 5.
00:07 - Introduction
00:52 - Rich shares Lenten meditations from Bread and Wine
08:13 - Cody reads a poem by John Bannister Tabb
11:36 - Zack has a new instrument!
17:35 - Josh recommends the work of Simon Stalenhag
22:46 - Nate discusses why a particular behind-the-scenes doc is a movie of its own
28:35 - The team interviews Cody about his new blog entry, An Infinite Aesthetic: Why the Gospel Never Gets Old.
This episode continues the series in which the latest entries on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Cody Schweickert reads his new entry, "An Infinite Aesthetic: Why the Gospel Never Gets Old." Read the entry or leave a comment on ForefrontFestival.com/blog.
Forefront collaborators Rich Christman, Josh Gastin, and Zack Osinski discuss The Importance of Age Diversity.
00:07 - Introduction
00:39 - Rich remembers Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
07:13 - Zack discovers Liz Vice (and a Christian song with groove)
12:50 - Josh discusses Five Knights Productions
18:38 - Josh and Zack interview Rich about his new blog post, The Importance of Age Diversity
46:30 - Zack recalls How It's Made: Christian Music
This episode continues the series in which the latest entries on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Rich Christman reads his new entry, "The Importance of Age Diversity: Reaching Out to the true Silent Majority." Read the entry or leave a comment on ForefrontFestival.com/blog.
The whole Forefront team is together for this packed episode.
00:08 - Introduction
00:50 - Nate reviews Ben Hur (2016)
04:01 - Josh discusses a new book by Jordan B. Peterson
08:44 - Zack mourns The Cranberries and praises The Welcome Wagon
13:50 - Cody looks forward to a new book by poet Benjamin Myers
19:23 - Rich analyzes a new visual trend on Instagram
30:12 - The team talks to Nate about his blog entry, How Movie Sequels Succeed or Fail at Character Arcs
55:14 - Closing
This episode begins a monthly series in which new posts on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Forefront founder Nate Mancini reads his new blog entry, "How Movie Sequels Succeed or Fail at Character Arcs."
In this special episode, Forefront collaborators Nate Mancini, Rich Christman, Josh Gastin, and Cody Schweickert review Star Wars: The Last Jedi.