The Fascinating Podcast: Recent Episodes
A Norville Rogers Podcast
Kathy Khang, Matt Mikalatos, Clay Morgan and JR. Forasteros bring you conversations with people you can't quit thinking about.
Best-selling author June Hur joins us to explore how her vibrant faith has always impacted her writing.
Transgender priest Shannon Kearns joins us to explore what a trans man's experience can teach us about the masculinity crisis in America
Who counts as an influencer? What are the ethics of influence? And should an influencer work in the White House?
The current administration wants to turn the quest for citizenship into a reality tv competition. We have thoughts.
We already have a new pope! Your cohosts have thoughts about what we can expect from Leo XIV. Then we run down some of our favorite recent pop culture favorites.
Graci Kim returns to give us the scoop on her new novel DREAMSLINGER. What happens when you cross X-Men with Pokemon and the impossible power of dreaming? To find out, we dive into our own dreams. Who dreams lucid? Who doesn't dream at all? Find all this and more in the latest episode!
On the anniversary of the Kent State Massacre, Matt and JR. explore what protest is. When and how should Christians protest? And what are the limits of protests? PLUS: hockey updates. More or less.
SINNERS is a box office phenomenon and a critical darling. And if you couldn't tell from the film's title, it has religion on its mind. We dive into the film - both the drama surrounding it and the deep horrors of the film supernatural and human.
Can you believe it? We've made it to episode 400 of the Fascinating Podcast! We dragged the one and only Clay Morgan out of mothballs and put him back on the mic to celebrate 400 episodes of Fascinating goodness. We retell the origins of the show, hit some of the big moments in the history of the show and celebrate our favorite guests, listeners and episodes. Then we talk about where the show is headed in the next 400 episodes.
Okay, buckle up, because today we're flipping the script and turning the mic on one of our own! Get ready for a high-energy deep dive as we put our cohost, the brilliant Matt Mikalatos, squarely in the interviewee hot seat. Why? Because he's unleashed an amazing new graphic novel upon the world called "God With Us," and we couldn't wait to grill him about bringing this epic story to life with stunning visuals. Prepare for laughs, insights, and maybe even some behind-the-scenes secrets – let's jump in!
We're back! Season 14 kicks off with our annual Pop Culture Madness Tournament! Who has what it takes to go all the way to championship? PLUS: What's in store for season 14 and episode 400?
What's the point of reading a bible commentary? And - after 2,000 years - do we really need a new one? The Rev Drs. Janette Ok and Amy Peeler join us to explore their new commentary called The New Testament in Color. We explore the unique benefits of a multi-ethnic commentary - from powerful readings of specific passages to how the volume challenges conventional wisdom simply by existing. Plus... cottage cheese is trendy? Dive into a packed season finale!
Do you know what you want? (Apologies to the Spice Girls, but what you REALLY want?) Coach and author Tracey Gee joins us to explore the good guidance that comes when we learn to listen to our desires. Sounds dangerous, doesn't it?
We've all had... kind of a lot... going on, so we take a breather to play some catch-up. From the media we've been enjoying to our thoughts on the election to what's next for us, there's a ton of good stuff in here!
In the wake of a decisive presidential election in which Evangelicals yet again turned out in record numbers to put an unrepentant fascist, felon and sexual predator in the highest office in the US, we ask: how do we love our Christian Nationalist neighbors? Pastor, author and former white nationalist Caleb E. Campbell joins us to explore how Christian Nationalism is a competing religion, and what it looks like to engage those under its sway with transformative love.
JR. is starting a new venture centered around board games! Since Kathy's on the road, Matt and JR. explore what exactly Game Nights with JR. is and how you can be part of it! PLUS: Election security!
Two years after the Dobbs decision allowed individual states to determine access and restrictions to abortion care, people of faith are still learning what an abortion is and isn't and learning what the consequences are when people who don't understand reproduction and healthcare make the rules. Whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, take a listen as we talk with Elaina Ramsey, the executive director of Fath Choice Ohio, about the intersection of faith and reproductive healthcare.
Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Emily Nussbaum joins us to explore the roots of reality television. Forget the Real World - reality tv started way earlier than you think. And there's a paradox at the heart of the genre Emily's new book, Cue the Sun, invites us to sit with. We explore everything from Candid Camera to Hell's Kitchen to Love is Blind. Whether you're part of Bachelor Nation or couldn't care less about which housewives are real, this episode will surprise and delight!
What's the best movie to watch at Christmas? What about Easter? Film Critic Abby Olcese's answers might surprise you. In her new book, Films for All Seasons, she explores movies that help us engage the story of the Church year. From Advent to Lent, Easter and Pentecost all the way to All Saints' Day, Abby offers up the most surprising and insightful films that help us know Jesus more fully than ever.
Andrea Stewart is back with the first book in a dark new trilogy. Why would she ever decide to write another epic fantasy trilogy? What will she do if TikTok gets banned? And how does she navigate the power she wields as an author? All this and more on the new episode!
Jason Pargin returns to the show! His latest standalone novel is an uproarious takedown of internet culture. If anyone knows just how insidious social media has become, it's Pargin, who's been on just about every platform that's existed. In spite of all that, he remains shockingly optimistic about the potential we have for meaningful connections. PLUS: a surprise guest host!
S. B. Divya returns to the show to take us on a whirlwind tour of far-future Earth. Her latest novel explores the nature of choice and consent, as well as what it's like to persist in the face of disability. Plus: has she figured out what dark matter is? (No, but wait till you hear about the short story she's working on!) All this and more!
We're back! Season 13 is the march to episode 400! We get back together to review what we missed this summer - especially all that political turmoil. Then we review a surprising summer movie box office and give you a preview of what's coming up this season. All this and more on the season premier!
The Planet of the Apes franchise has a strange staying power. With the release of the latest (ninth!) film, we review the long, odd history of the franchise - including its mixed success with social commentary. Then we dive into the new film, which embodies the best and worst tendencies of its predecessors. PLUS: a Planet of the... Kyles?
What would happen if we reimagined church from the ground up? Jazz musician and pastor Mark Glanville joins us for our second installment of Faith After Church. How has jazz helped Mark totally rethink what Church can look like? We should mention that Mark brought his piano...
How should we respond to the genocide in Gaza? We explore the complexities of US foreign policy, the origins of Evangelical Zionism and its anti-Semitic nature. What responsibility do we have? What can we do?
Is there a church anywhere in the world where single Christians are flourishing? Why are churches so indifferent - or outright hostile - to the unique struggles and strengths of single Christians? Anna Broadway joins us to share her round-the-globe tour of Christian singledom. PLUS: you won't believe how Anna met Kathy. And there's a certain book award we have to talk about!
Talking heads all over the country are warning we're headed for a second civil war. So is a movie called CIVIL WAR about exactly that a good idea? Kathy and JR. consider how that may be the wrong question as we explore Alex Garland's latest film from A24. What does it have to say about journalism? About politics? About being American?
JR.'s article on 'Civil War' for Sojourners
What does faith look like when the church fails us? We reflect on our faith journeys - how we've all moved out of the institutional church in different ways. We explore what that has looked like, consider the state of our faith now and imagine what comes next. Join us for part one of a two-part discussion!
Some say we're living in the age of remakes, reboots and legacequels, but the truth is that we've been retelling stories since that first "Once Upon a Time..." In honor of the release of James, the new retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we explore why we enjoy retelling stories, what separates the good retellings from the soulless remakes and even... what happens when the Bible reinterprets itself!
Why isn't police reform happening? Despite massive waves of sustained protest around the country, policing seems to be stuck. Dr. Daniel Reinhardt, an officer for 20 years, insists the problem is the internal culture of policing. How can we change that? Daniel joins us to explore what ordinary citizens can do to make real, systemic change.
It's the annual Fascinating Pop Culture Madness tournament. From Prince Harry to the boat-killing Orcas to the best T-Swift Team up, our patented, professionally calibrated bracket leaves nothing to chance. Listen up and get ready to cast your vote in the final game. Who will reign supreme this year? It's up to you!
The 2024 Fascinating Pop Culture Madness Bracket
Why are the people with the most power so often the most miserable? Author Naomi Kanakia joins us to reflect on the way oppression hurts everyone - even those who oppress. We also explore the possible limits of found family and what's so great about the so-called Great Books.
Naomi's newsletter, Woman of Letters
The 2024 Fascinating Pop Culture Madness Bracket
Ben Winters returns to the show! He's the creator and executive producer of the hit new CBS show Tracker. He's got oodles of Audible original short novels! And his latest novel, Big Time just dropped! Will Ben reveal the secrets of his prolific career? Is it possible he is releasing something else this year? Just how long ago was the 90s, exactly? All this and more in his triumphant return!
This weekend is St. Patrick's Day - but beyond the green and the clovers, what is Patrick all about? Host Matt Mikalatos takes us into his new book, Praying with St. Patrick, to discover what wisdom Patrick has to offer for us today!
Killers of the Flower Moon is getting a lot of attention in awards season - and a lot of praise for its depiction of Native Americans. But Dr. Randy Woodley, Indigenous screenwriter and activist, cautious us against rushing to heap praise upon Martin Scorsese's latest. We welcome Randy to share his experience in the film industry and how he has navigated the conversations around this film.
Connect with Dr. Randy Woodly:
- Eloheh.org
- randywoodley.com
- Sho-kee.com
The gang is back! In a season premier tradition, we catch up on what we missed on break. Then Matt challenges JR. and Kathy with some slang new and old. And of course, a feral hog update.
It's the last episode of the season - and the year! On our season finale, we count down our favorite books, movies and more. Plus, we share some of YOUR picks!
Surrogacy is an act of service for another, one that involves a whole body, and two families. What are the ethics of surrogacy? And why don't our laws reflect the modern science of surrogacy? How can surrogacy be unjust? Dr. Grace Kao joins us to explore the complexity of this act. PLUS: some of our least favorite Christmas traditions!
Connect with Dr. Grace Kao
Website | Instagram
The surprise hit of December is GODZILLA MINUS ONE, the latest Japanese Godzilla movie. Since we all saw it, we do a spoiler-free reflection on why it's so great - and why you should try to see it if you can! Plus, since Christmas is approaching, we explore some of our Christmas favorites.
The author of 1 Timothy says he doesn't permits a woman to teach or have authority. He also says women are saved through childbirth. So does that mean women can't preach? Does it mean women can only be saved by having babies? Um... probably not. Dr. Sandra Glahn returns to the show to take us to the ancient city of Ephesus. What do we need to know about Artemis of the Ephesians to make sense out of these otherwise bizarre, contradictory instructions.
The Marvels is the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it's been a box office flop. So why do our three co-hosts like it so much? We review the film, including what worked for us and what didn't so much.
For decades, science fiction writers imagined a future where religion had gone extinct. But in M. V. Melcer's new sci-fi thriller REFRACTIONS, religion is alive and... if not exactly well, then thriving. She joins us to explore why religion isn't going anywhere - even as technology continues to advance. PLUS: time-travelling telescopes and more!
M. V. Melcer's Website
The F.B.I. played a key role in the development of White Christian Nationalism. Sound like a tinfoil hat conspiracy theory? Dr. Lerone A. Martin joins us to share the receipts. His new book THE GOSPEL OF J. EDGAR HOOVER shows how F.B.I. Director Hoover worked with evangelical leaders like Billy Graham a generation before the Moral Majority and the rise of the Religious Right. Hoover wrote essays for Christianity Today that Evangelical pastors and Sunday school teachers used for sermons and lessons across the country - and that's just the beginning. Listen in; you won't believe how wild this interview is!
Should Christians watch horror movies? What about movies about demonic possession? Film critic Josh Larsen returns to the show to take us into his new book FEAR NOT. We explore the role horror can play in creating spiritual conversations and even in spiritual formation!
Episode Links:
Larsen on Film (website)
Josh on Letterbox
Think Christian (website)
Filmspotting (podcast)
Our own JR. is a contestant on Season 5 of Press Your Luck! He takes us behind the scenes from how he got on the show to the extensive casting process to the filming - and yeah, getting to meet the host, Elizabeth Banks.
It's time for another Fascinating-on-Fascinating interview! With the launch of their new book, Kathy and Matt share the hot seat to dish on what it looks like to disagree well. How did their book on civility turn into a meditation on the fruit of the Spirit? Why is civility too low a bar? Plus: a deep dive into kindness, because nice isn't a fruit of the Spirit!
Alex Shvartsman returns to the podcast! The new book in the Conradverse features Conrad Brent, the magic Batman, facing off against his most challenging adversary yet: bureaucratic incompetence! We take the opportunity to reflect on why leadership so often fails to govern well, including a look at the historic removal of Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the House. PLUS: Which horror movie monster does your Ennagram number suggest you are?
Why hasn't America ever faced its original sins of chattel slavery or genocide against Native Americans? What's at stake if we were to face those sins? What might confession look like? What about repenting or repair? On the season premier of the Fascinating Podcast, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg joins us to frame this conversation for us. How does she find hope in the face of our national reluctance? PLUS: an historic moment in the Fascinating Universe happened this summer, and we've got the full story!
What happens when you tell a story that turns out to be an echo of some ancient wisdom? Graci Kim returns to the show for a special deep dive into the conclusion to her Korean-mythology-inspired fantasy trilogy. We explore how Korean mythology evolved, how she chose which versions of the various myths to recontextualize and how she discovered her legacy as a storyteller. Plus, we meditate on what it means to be Korean diaspora and how we reconnect with the loving mystery at the heart of the universe.
What would happen if churches dedicated ourselves to healing our communities? Jose Humphreys returns to the podcast to take us through his new co-authored book ECOSYSTEMS OF JUBILEE. We explore how Sabbath is good news for everyone - and why it means so much more than just going to church on Sundays.
What does it mean to belong? As a woman of two worlds, Tasha Jun was never quite sure where she fit. But again and again, she returned to the dream her mother had - Tasha as a fierce tiger. Tasha's book is an exploration of identity, ethnicity and belonging. She takes us into the ideas she explores and what it looks like to make a home between two worlds.
What does it take to fit into US culture? Gene Luen Yang first asked that question in 2006 with his groundbreaking graphic novel AMERICAN BORN CHINESE. Now it has become a show on Disney+. We welcome Gene back to the show, and he brings the show's composer Wendy Wang. We explore how their faith shapes their art, and the surprising ways it shows up in the show. It's a season finale you won't want to miss!
Who gets to tell a story? Can a white person write black or Asian characters? Can a person of color play a traditionally white role? We dive into this perennial conversation. We're informed by R. F. Kuang's new bestseller YELLOWFACE, Halle Bailey's Little Mermaid and Miles Morales as Spider-man. PLUS: our non-spoiler thoughts on ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE!
What do we mean when we say the Bible is "inspired"? Zack Hunt, author of GODBREATHED, joins us to explore why we're so hung up on inspiration. We dive into issues like who wrote the books of the Bible, how much it matters, and who decided what made it in, or not. Oh and also Dan Brown because why not?
Christian mission work has a long, dark history of colonialism and decimation of indigenous cultures. Despite some reforms, the problems haven't disappeared. Author and activist Mekdes Haddis joins us to offer a vision of a Just Mission. She shares how growing up in Ethiopia shaped her experience of mission, and some of her vision for how we can fulfill Jesus' great commission without sacrificing justice and holiness.
The debate about immigration feels like it's at an impasse. What does it mean for our perspective to be just? Karen Gonzales challenges us to change the conversation by centering the very people who are already in the middle: immigrants. How does the our perspective on this issue change when we listen to the people we usually just talk about?
Andrea Stewart returns to the show to celebrate the epic conclusion of The Drowned Empire trilogy and her newly-minted status as Best-selling author. We do a spoiler-free exploration of Andrea's writing process and what it takes to deliver on the big questions her series asks. PLUS: Matt gives us some details on the latest Writer's Strike.
With Kathy in Paris and the internet abuzz with talk about God's gender, Matt and JR. welcome Rev. Tara Thomas Smith as a guest co-host. Tara takes us deep into what's at stake in this conversation, and we explore how best to refer to God in terms of gender. Trust us, this is an episode you don't want to miss!
Best-selling author Julianna Baggott returns to the show as we explore her trippy new short story collection, I'D REALLY PREFER NOT TO BE HERE WITH YOU. Why did she return to short fiction? What has she learned from screenwriting about how ideas are forged into stories? Plus, a tour of some of our favorite stories from the collection!
Dr. Emily Friedman returns to the show. Last time (which was admittedly way too many years ago), she was an expert on the way history smells. Now she's become the premier public scholar on the burgeoning world of table top role playing games. What are her favorite hidden gems - simple enough even kids can play? And what's going on with D&D these days? Speaking of D&D, Kathy and JR. do a quick review of the new film.
Screenwriter Henry Gayden returns to the podcast to discuss his new film, SHAZAM!: Fury of the Gods. He takes us into the process of writing a superhero movie in a shared universe. How did that skittles gag happen? What about THAT cameo? And how does he balance humor, action and so much heart?
This installment of the Fascinating Book Club welcomes science-fiction author Adrian Tchaikovsky to discuss his new classic space opera series CHILDREN OF TIME. Adrian talks about his writing process, where the ideas for these creatures come from and what real empathy looks like in a world where we're not actually all the same.
It's March Madness and that means it's time for our super-sized Bracketology episode! What will win in this year's annual bracket? And, for that matter, who even are the contenders?! Listen up and brace yourself for surprise match-ups and even a surprise guest! PLUS: Don't forget that YOU get to vote on the final winner!
Author S. B. Divya returns to the show to unveil her latest novel MERU. While most of her work has been near-future, MERU is a far-futuristic space opera with giant humanoid mermaid space-fairies. How does she go about crafting the far future? How does she imagine the ways humanity might evolve (or evolve ourselves)? And what does this sort of science fiction tell us about how to navigate our world today?
It's time for the Oscars! What 2022 films deserve the big award? Join us as we explore all ten of the Best Picture nominees and make our predictions. Who's right? Who's wrong?
The new film COCAINE BEAR plays fast and loose with historical events for the sake of entertainment. In honor of the film, we turn to the Bible - what stories from scripture would make good (and loose) adaptations? Then, we explore how a playful attitude toward Scripture can be fruitful. So what stories did we miss?
A freak scheduling conflict has thrust our cohosts into the Quantum Realm. You know what that means - a Feral Hog update! Well... not JUST a hog update. Since time moves differently in the Quantum Realm, we spend some extra time on what's been fascinating us lately and then we end up exploring Marvel's latest film, Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania!
What's the difference between deconstruction and decolonization? Author and activist Tamice Spencer-Helms joins us to share insights from her new book FAITH UNLEAVENED. How did Tamice meet White Jesus? Why was he so detrimental to her faith? And how has she learned to walk away from him and back to the brown Palestinian liberator?
The Bachelor turns 21 this year, so we take a deep dive into the world of reality dating. Our guide is reality TV show expert Nguhi Ross, who leads us through the highs and lows of Bachelor Nation. Why does this franchise have such staying power? What is the best reality dating show to follow in its wake? And what has this done to our culture as a whole?
Heather Radke joins us to talk about, well, butts. What is a butt, exactly? Why don't we have a proper term for it? And how did she come to write a whole book about them? We do a deep dive into the Booty revolution of the 90s, including that ultimate booty song, Baby Got Back. Don't worry... this is a very serious conversation (with surprisingly few puns!).
Social Media platforms aren't agnostic; they have a particular purpose - one that's often invisible to casual users. Author Jason Pargin joins us to explore the implications of this reality. How do we trace what social media wants from us? How can we tell if we should use carefully or abandon it all together? Oh yeah, and what about Jason's latest book?
Wakanda Forever is out and the response has been... mixed. This major Marvel release tries to tackle grief head-on. How does it do? Join us as we dive deep into this film and discuss what we loved and what didn't work.
What is America's fascination with the macab? Author and professor Scott Poole returns to the show to take us into the Dark Carnivals of American Empire. And since we just had an election, we consider how our devices are haunted houses - and whether we're scared of the right things.
The US is running out of water. From Tuscon to Flint to Jacksonville, we don't have enough to drink. What does it mean that other countries are buying up our water rights? What is the role of faith in addressing this crisis? And what good does gluing ourselves to paintings do?
It's Halloween, so your Fascinating pals ruminate on what scares us, some of the best spooky movies and books for the season and more! You might want to grab a blanket and a mug of cider... thought they won't stop the chill from running down your spine!
After three kids, Carolyn Hays and her husband figured their fourth would be a piece of cake. But almost immediately, their daughter proved to be transgender. A GIRLHOOD is Carolyn's memoir of raising a transgender kid while navigating a world hostile to her very existence. We dive deep with Carolyn on everything from the insidious varieties of discrimination she and her daughter face to how she navigates her Catholic faith to her hope for her daughter's future.
As the war in Ukraine rages on, Alex Shvartsman returns to the show to share his unique perspective on the conflict. Alex is Ukranian-American, and fluent in Russian, Ukranian and English. What does this war look like from the Russian side? The Ukranian? And what further surprises might be in store? PLUS: it's been 60 years since the Cuban Missile Crisis - the closest we've come to all-out nuclear war. Have we learned anything since then?
A recent deluge of new media - from A League of Their Own to She-Hulk to Little Mermaid have some folks angry that media is getting too woke. What does that even mean? And how should we be thinking about these media as we consume them?
Women have been playing basketball since the week after it was invented (literally). So why did it take a century for women to play professionally? Historian and author Andrew Maraniss takes us to the 1976 Olympics, where the US women's team created whole new possibilities for women's sports.
This month marks 65 years since the famous Little Rock Nine became the first black students to attend an all-white high school. It took the National Guard to ensure the students' safety. Did the Little Rock Nine mark the end of segregation? Unfortunately, schools are nearly as segregated today as they were in the 60s. Why? And what can we do?
Voices of Lament is a powerful collection of essays by women of color, all inspired by Psalm 37. What if there's more to life that the pursuit of happiness? What if it's good to admit we're not okay? Since Kathy has an essay in this collection, she ditches the guys and brings on editor Natasha Sistrunk Robinson and fellow contributor QuaWanna Bannarbie.
Your Fascinating Pals are back, with a new format, bigger interviews and more! We gotta start with a little catch up - what did we miss over the summer?
Your Fascinating pals are all together to wrap up a tumultuous season of podcasting! We reflect on current events and offer a few of our favorite movies, books and tv shows to get us through the summer. See you soon!
What does it mean to be 'woke'? How do we know if we're 'woke'? And why do white men keep using the term as an insult? Rohadi Nagassar joins us to explore what church looks like when it comes from the margins, not the centers.
Churches across the country chase bipartisanship, the elusive 'purple' church. But is that the Church Jesus leads? Pastor Jonny Rashid says no. He insists that Jesus takes a side, that bipartisanship isn't revolutionary at all - it maintains the status quo. Join us for this potent, provocative conversation.
Dan Merchant returns to the show to tell us about his new TV show GOING HOME. How do you make a show about death and dying... hopeful? What's the good news about death? Oh, and did we mention that our own MATT MIKALATOS is one of the writers? Listen in for this exclusive interview!
The episode you've been waiting for: we invite LGBTQ+ Christians to speak for themselves. First, Bridget Eileen Rivera - aka @thetravelingnun - joins us to explore HEAVY BURDENS: her book on how the Church harms queer people (and how we must do better). Next, Marcus Mason-Vivet joins us to talk about growing up black and queer, and what his faith looks like today.
What does a space created by black women, for black women look like? Ekemini Uwan and Dr. Christina Edmonson, 2/3 of the force behind the Truth's Table podcast and book, join us to explore how they're working to resist whiteness and misogyny by creating a space for them to flourish!
She can't watch horror movies, but wrote one of the best cosmic horror trilogies maybe ever. Oh yeah, and it was only supposed to be one book. Premee Mohamed joins the show to tell us how her Indiana Jones adventure with a teen of color at the center became a trilogy of terrifying tentacle monsters. PLUS: how many weird medieval beliefs about animals do you think Matt knows?
A recently leaked Supreme Court opinion indicates the current court wants to overturn Roe v Wade. What exactly does that mean? We dive into the powers of the Supreme Court, the history of the cases and the implications for the Church. PLUS: the Mexican Pizza is back and not all of our hosts are happy!
Dr. Amy Kenny joins us to explore how persons of faith ought to engage a world built for ability. What's the difference between curing and healing? And how do we receive disability as a witness to God's power? Plus - what makes a good Shakespeare adaptation? And did JR. find Kathy a new job?
Meet one of the funniest authors we know - Alex Shvartsman. He takes us behind the scenes of his new novel, the Middling Affliction. Ever wonder how Batman would fare in the wizarding world of Hogwarts? Of course you have. We all lay awake at night asking that very question. It's time to meet Conrad Brent. PLUS: feral hogs have a new superpredator!
What could possibly be so bad about paradise? Catherynne Valente joins us to dish on her terrific new novella COMFORT ME WITH APPLES. Plus: the French Revolution, the Masked Singer and more!
Author Ryan North joins us to explain how we can all fulfill our dreams of being a real-life supervillain. We talk cloning dinosaurs, the price of immortality and even the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl!
The heads of Keeping the Faith Press - Jonathan Walton, Suzie Lahoud and Sy Hoekstra - join us to reflect on American Evangelicalism in the wake of Trump. How are they catalyzing a different kind of faith? And what are their hopes for the future of the church? PLUS: the surprising results of the March Madness bracket!
It's our annual March Madness Pop Culture Bracket episode! What moments from the last year made the cut? And who has what it takes to go all the way? Remember: it's totally arbitrary! But don't let that stop you from casting your vote in the final game!
Andre Henry returns to the show to tell us about all the white friends he couldn't keep. We dive deep into the world of activism, as Andre guides us to imagine what a truly just world can look like - and how to get there. This is one you don't want to miss!
THE BATMAN is a certified hit... but is it any good? The Fascinating crew heads to Gotham City to investigate Battinson, his allies and his foes. Plus a deep dive into the film's treatment of Asian Americans, women and the noir tropes it drapes itself in. Buckle up, because this podcast is powered by a jet engine, apparently?
God has no gender, but we almost always refer to God as 'he'. What do we lose by ignoring the feminine attributes of God? Teresa Kim Pecinovsky joins us to explore her beautiful new book Mother God. Why is interacting with God as father AND mother vital to a robust faith?
Why are there so many bad marriage books? Marriage is anything but one-size-fits-all, and it's long past time we had a fresh vision of marriage - one that's good news for every kind of person and sexuality. Dr. Brian and Rev. Gail Song Bantum join us to pull back the curtain on their terrific new book CHOOSING US.
What is Asian America? Can we trace the origins of this distinctive and important pattern in the tapestry of American popular culture? Jeff Yang and Phil Yu say we can, and they join us to show how with their new book RISE. Plus: it wouldn't be a Fascinating season premier without a feral hogs update!
Your Fascinating pals close out the season (and the year!) by offering up their favorite media pics of 2021. What made our list? And what did we miss?
Remember the National WOMEN'S Football League? You don't? Well, sportswriter Britni de la Cretaz joins us to share the surprising, thrilling story you've never heard. Plus: the latest feral hog update!
This one's been a long time coming: your four co-hosts trace key moments in our journey toward becoming LGBTQ+ affirming. What does that term mean? What does it look like to be affirming and faithful to the witness of Scripture? This is a super-sized episode so buckle up!
Jeff Chu joins us to discuss Wholehearted Faith, the last book from Rachel Held Evans. Jeff co-authored the book, and our own Kathy Khang recorded one chapter of the audiobook. We reflect on Rachel's legacy - including some clips from our final interview with her where she discussed this book. Ultimately, we consider a faith that is both deeply rooted in God's love and widely inclusive of all peoples.
Moby Dick turned 170 years old this year, which got us thinking: what books from the last decade will still be around in 150 years? What makes a classic? And should every book strive to be a classic anyway? PLUS: Martian ketchup and other important Pittsburgh updates.
What is privilege? Why does talking about it get us so defensive? Dominique Dubois Gilliard returns to the podcast to dive into his new book SUBVERSIVE WITNESS. How is learning to spot our privilege good news? And what are we supposed to do when we identify it? PLUS: does one of your hosts have a secret passage in their house?
Matt Mikalatos is back in the hot seat. His latest book, Journey to Love, explores our deepest need: to live lives that are more full of love. We do a deep dive on what love is not - after all, knowing what love isn't makes it easier to spot!
Our Halloween episode features Dr. Brandon Grafius, author of Reading the Bible with Horror. He tells us how using horror as a lens can help us understand the Bible. We dive in deep on the Bible's most famous ghost story - Samuel being summoned by the witch of Endor.
Cancel culture seems impossible to escape. But what exactly IS cancel culture? We walk through the history of cancelling and consider the promise and danger of what's ahead. PLUS: Where in the world is Mikalatos this week?
What happens when you make a TV show about Native Americans with a Native show runner and an all-Native writers' room? You get the unparalleled new show Reservation Dogs. Rev. Sonya Brown (Dine/Navajo) joins us to dive into this groundbreaking show.
What does theology look like when you don't center white male theologians? Kat Armas has a radical suggestion: it looks like Abuelita Faith. Kat invites us into the kitchens and homes where theology is embodied. PLUS: a killer photoshoot for October babies.
After the excitement of 300, your Fascinating buds slow down and spend some time catching up. What big changes did we miss? And what's been fascinating us while we've been gone? It's the gap-episode you've been waiting for!
Fall began with a box-office dominated by Shang-Chi. What does this smash-hit mean for the future of fantasy fiction? We interview four experts for their insights. Ken Liu, Fonda Lee, Phil Yu and Andrea Stewart join us for a THREE HOUR episode 300. Plus, you know we have to weigh in on Shang-Chi. We're back with a big, big splash!
The Season 6 finale is here... and we're remembering things that turned 21 in 2021 - including the camera phone. Has any other device so accelerated social change, for good and ill?
Matt Mikalatos is in the hot seat again. He has concluded his epic fantasy trilogy The Sunlit Lands. What does it take to bring a world to a satisfying conclusion? What should we expect in this final volume? And how about that killer cover? All this and more as we dive into The Story King!
It's summer and with vaccinations, it's time to travel again. We share some of our travel plans, as well as some of our most embarrassing travel faux pas.
How do you deal with trolls? More importantly, how do you even spot a troll? And what about folks who aren't trying to troll, but still don't have good intentions? We do a deep (and wide) dive on how we spot, engage and deal with disagreement in online spaces.
Since May is Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage month, we share our favorite films, books and tv shows from and about AAPI folks. Plus, a deep dive into the term itself and its many meanings!
Author Graci Kim joins us to explore contemporary Korean mythology in a Los Angeles setting. Her new middle-grade fantasy The Last Fallen star carves out a place for kids in the Korean diaspora to find themselves in a whirlwind adventure to save the world. Get the tissues ready. There may be some tears at the end of this one!
Our annual Oscars recap is here. What did we love? What was overrated? And what did we miss? PLUS: a deep dive into one of our favorites - MINARI!
What does the future of humanity look like as we develop better AI? What does our treatment of Alexa, Siri and our Roombas say about us? Author S. B. Divya joins us to dive into her debut novel MACHINEHOOD!
Marvel Studio's first foray into television was a smash success. So what did we think of WandaVision? We do a deep dive on this surprising show. PLUS the final winner of the 2021 Pop Culture Tournament!
Our annual pop culture tournament is back and more brutal than ever. Dolly Parton, Four Seasons Total Landscaping, the Snyder Cut and more face off, with one of the most shocking endings in our podcast history! Plus: the final choice is in YOUR hands!
In the wake of more mass shootings, we turn our attention to gun rights by asking the question: who ends up afraid?
A year of pandemic has brought a massive spike in violence against Asians and Asian Americans. Professor and activist Dr. Russell Jeung joins us to explore how we can join the fight for justice and peace for our Asian American siblings, especially in light of last week's horrific murders in Atlanta.
Connor Alexander, the creator of the new tabletop role-playing game sensation COYOTE AND CROW, joins us to talk race in gaming, representation and creating a world you want to live in.
From Star Wars to Dr. Seuss, not a day goes by we don't hear about someone getting 'cancelled'. But is 'cancel culture' a real thing? And how do we engage problematic content and creators? Take a deep dive with us!
That massive winter storm that swept the US knocked out two of our cohosts so Matt and Clay catch up on how they stayed warm.
How should Christians engage policies surrounding minimum wages? We dive in headlong, including an exploration of Biblical economic theories and how the year of Jubilee might impact how we approach financies and flourishing for everyone. Plus: a Necronomicon uncovered - what could go wrong?
Your Fascinating friends are back! We introduce a new segment - the Squad Review! We check in on everything that's been happening since the election. PLUS: which host would make the best president?
Our last episode of the year is a big one. How else can we send out 2020 than by counting down our favorite TV shows, movies and books. Hey... it turns out there was plenty to love in 2020 (especially since we were all locked inside!).
Producer and screenwriter (The Tick, Detective Pikachu) Dan Hernandez joins us to talk about how creatives can thrive in quarantine.
After last week's conversation with Kristin Kobes du Mez, we turn to the future of masculinity in the Evangelical world. What pitfalls and promises do we see as we move forward?
Pundits, pastors, prognosticators and podcasters have spent the last four years wringing our hands to explain how 81% of Evangelicals could vote for Trump despite the convictions of our faith. Scholar Kristin Kobes du Mez demonstrates that our vote wasn't despite our faith, but because of it. She joins our podcast to explore how Evangelicals have baked militant white patriarchy into our faith. It's another episode we just couldn't quit - and hopefully neither can you!
We're giving thanks for Lovecraft Country - HBO's powerful new horror show that suggests humans are the real monsters. Irene M. Cho joins us to break down our favorite themes - and scares! - in a double episode that will keep you through Thanksgiving!
It's time to decompress! We talk about how we spent election night (all five days of it!) and how we're processing the outgoing and incoming administrations. Plus... almost definitely clear-ish proof of aliens! (Maybe?)
Every election day, we wring our hands over the electoral college. What, exactly, is this thing? And how did it come to be? Professor Clay is back in the driver's seat, guiding us through the twists and turns of this election season!
With the appointment of a new justice, the Supreme Court is news a lot. Our resident historian Clay dives in to the history of the court, its evolution and why we might see more justices.
No issue more divides Christians than abortion. But that hasn't always been the case, and it shouldn't be now. Reproductive rights expert Elaina Ramsey joins us to explain what it looks like to be faithfully pro-choice.
We needed a breather, so the gang picks a historical event, a current event and a novel they want to see made into a movie. Some of us even did some dream casting. Now to get funding...
`With attacks on voting rights as present as ever, how can we as persons of faith make a difference? We dive in this week to the current struggle to protect the ballot, with a special emphasis on getting involved in the next month!
Since we are a month out from the 2020 election, we dive into the history of Voter Suppression. How are votes suppressed today? Where did these practices originate? And why should Christians care about any of this? Listen up!
Fascinating is back! Since we spent last season exploring reconstruction, we're pressing further in season 5. What's in store for a season of dreaming? Tune in as we preview what's in store for this season!
Netflix latest sensation is WARRIOR NUN. We're joined by screenwriter Brenden Gallagher, who served as the show's writer's assistant. He takes us on a deep dive into the show, from its mythology to its surprisingly terrific take on religion.
As season 4 comes to a close, we take a look back at our journey of reconstruction. What were our season highlights? Where are we in our own journeys of reconstructing our faith? And what's ahead for the podcast?
It's a sin problem, not a skin problem. I'm colorblind. Our church isn't in a diverse area. Bring up race, and Christians have a predictable set of responses. We investigate how racial ideology functions to shield us from real conversations about race, and how we can confront engage them.
Spiritual abuse can be hard to spot. What counts as spiritual abuse? How can we identify it? And what does resisting it well look like? We have thoughts.
What does it mean to be a good ally? How can aspiring allies join in the work of justice without centering ourselves? Author and leadership coach Natasha Sistrunk Robinson returns to the show to share insights about how to advocate well in this critical time.
Christians are called to care for the most vulnerable. What does that look like during a global pandemic? We consider everything from facemasks to geography to church gatherings.
Dr. Jane Hong joins the show to explore the experience of Asian Americans in the USA. How has that experience been erased from our history, and what does it look like to ensure we hear these vital stories? PLUS: Allie Mikalatos joins us as a very special guest host.
So much of Christianity is associated with Whiteness and European history. But Minister Onleilove Chika Alston joins us to explore the Black roots of the Bible. What does it mean to say the Bible is a Black book? And why is that an important confession for all of us?
Author and activist D. L. Mayfield joins us to dissect the American Dream. Her new book explores the dangers of the essential American ideology. We dive into the dangers of idolizing Liberty. Plus, conspiracy theories!
Marlena Graves joins us to explore the dangers of religious triumphalism. How does Jesus' way lead down... and how is down really the way up?
The last couple of years have shined a spotlight on false sources of news - and from elections to pandemics, they've done real damage. How can we spot fake news? How can we be a people of truth?
Sandra Maria Van Opstal joins us to settle the deadlock in this year's Bracketology. But really she's here to talk about how to take justice work seriously - in our every day lives. How can we begin chasing justice?
Bracketology is back! Even though it's not March, and we never had a Madness, your faithful Fascinating hosts bring back our annual pop culture bracket. This year is our most harrowing yet, with thrilling triumphs and devastating upsets. Who will win it all? The final choice is YOURS!
Holy week is going to be strange this year. How has the way we observe Holy Week changed over the years? And what are some ways we can observe well while we're in quarantine?
Gene Yang returns to the show with his most personal work yet: Dragon Hoops. How did a self-professed nerd end up writing a graphic novel about basketball? And what surprising connections did he find to faith?
Jennifer Cho joins Kathy and JR. to discuss the reality dating phenomenon Love is Blind. Who did we love? Who did we hate? And does the show have anything to teach us?
With the COVID-19 quarantine in full swing, your Fascinating friends come to the rescue! We have a whole slew of books, movies and TV to keep you busy while you're trapped inside.
There are so many reasons to think the world is doomed. We investigate the signs of the times, from coronavirus to Love is Blind.
No one likes change. And few changes are harder to grieve than changes in our faith. What happens when we change - and our community doesn't? How do we change well - and how is grieving an essential aspect of that process?
In honor of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, we explore some of the rituals and practices that we've found helpful in reconstructing our faith. Plus: a sad update on the Flat Earth Rocket Man
When we reconstruct our faith, we draw from any number of sources. What books and films have been helpful in reconstructing our faith? PLUS: Kathy dives in on the ongoing controversy with Women of Color at a university chapel.
We're back! 2020 is a new era for the Fascinating Podcast. We kick of by recapping the Oscars - especially Parasite's big win. Then we preview what's in store for the podcast this season!
As Season 3 draws to a close, we reflect on the last decade. What are our favorite books, TV shows and films of the last ten years? Plus: the Star Trek TNG fan theory you didn't know you wanted.
Two things turned 21 this year that were major battles in the culture wars: Harry Potter and the Clinton Impeachment. What kind of perspective does a couple of decades and a year offer to these two issues? Have we learned anything in the interim?
Since it's the Advent season, we count down our favorite holiday films. Plus, a deep dive into Bong Joon Ho's sensational new film PARASITE.
For our Thanksgiving episode, presidential candidate Mark Charles joins us to uncover the Doctrine of Discovery. How did the Church's adoption of Empire pave the way for violence toward Native peoples during European colonialism? How are we still feeling its legacy today?
Mr. Rogers left an enduring legacy, as embodied in the new film A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, starring Tom Hanks. We review the film, and interview journalist Tom Junod, the real life inspiration for the film!
Editor and author Sarah Parker Rubio joins us while Kathy is away. First, we fight off some attacking turkeys. Then we dive into Sarah's journey to becoming a children's book author. Plus: could anything be more timely than a story of a refugee family?
Reverend Stephanie Lobdell joins us to talk about what ministry to Gen Z looks like. Then we dive into what happens when life doesn't turn out like we thought it would. We take a deep dive into mental illness, and how a diagnosis impacts our calling.
In the wake of JR.'s Bad Movie Birthday fundraiser, we dive in on what makes a bad movie (and why so many Christian movies tend to be bad).
We accidentally recorded a supersized Halloween episode! Kathy, Clay and JR. investigate quantum computing, women preaching and Halloween... and that's just the start!
Director Penny Lane found the Satanic Temple fascinating. Are they a religion? A political movement? A bunch of hilarious trolls? Or all of the above? She joins us to explore the nature of religion, the limits of belief and what it looks like to have faith in public.
Pastor and author Stephanie Williams O'Brien joins us to explore how to stay curious in faith. Why is curiosity good? And how to we cultivate a faithful curiosity? PLUS: we're mad about the ACTs
Justin McRoberts returns to talk about the Lord's Prayer. What does it mean to pray this most famous prayer of Jesus? How can this prayer be a path to knowing God better?
Gene Luen Yang is back! His latest project is SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN, the first graphic novel adaptation of a classic Superman radio show. The original show crushed post-WWII Nazi popularity. Can Gene's new comic do the same today? PLUS: #RoofPanthers
Words shape our ideas about faith. What role does insider language play in Christian faith? How important is it? When is it a barrier to genuine faith? PLUS: Will we lose our iTunes rating thanks to bulls?
In the wake of some prominent Christians leaving faith, we explore the process of deconstructing faith. What were the keys in our own journeys? And how can we be friends to those who are deconstructing?
Your favorite podcast is back from break! We review an uneven Summer of movies. Who won the Summer prediction, and who was the big loser?
Matt's back in the hot seat in this Season 3 preview. We dive into the Heartwood Crown - the brand new second installment in the Sunlit Lands saga. Plus, we're joined by guest co-host Michelle Reyes!
In our season finale, JR. and Kathy debut a new segment: Cheers to You! We're celebrating things that turn 21 this year, and first up is Google. We do a deep dive into the search engine. Plus, we reflect on 30 episodes of Kathy!
From June 10, 2019, a panel on how faith in Jesus informs our public action. Hosted by JR. Forasteros, and featuring Mark Charles, Karen González, Andre Henry, Rev. José Humphreys, Kathy Khang and Dr. Michelle Reyes. Watch the full panel conversation.
Sociologist and pop culture guru Nancy Wang Yuen joins us to talk about a couple of recent hits - Netflix' Korean zombie thriller KINGDOM and romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe.
What if aliens are real? If they were, that truth would impact everything from theology to communications. In fact, maybe the reason we like telling alien stories so much is that we know deep down these stories help us communicate with difficult people. Clay and JR. dive into some communication tips that will help with little green men or that difficult coworker, friend or neighbor.
One of the biggest TV shows of all time has come to an end... and how was it? We welcome theologian Andre Henry to help us wade through the rubble of King's Landing, including a deep dive on the Mother of Dragons herself.
Though Jesus calls us to be poor - and poor in spirit, but weakness runs contrary to much of what's rewarded in Evangelicalism. Alia Joy shares with us how she navigates everything from church to publishing without the expectation that weakness is a stop along the way.
In honor of the the biggest movie of the year, we assembled an all-star cast of Fascinating guests. Rabbi Eliyahu Fink, Pastor Jose Humphreys and Dr. Michelle Reyes assemble to dive into the big themes of this big, big movie.
Author and writing instructor Blake Kimzey joins Clay and JR. to talk about how to face down distractions. What does it take to get things done? Plus: a Velocipastor update and maybe the best proof yet of yeti?
It's the annual summer movie preview! Other than Avengers: Endgame, what films do we think will rule the box office? Which will bust? And which are we anticipating most fully? Listen up!
Exactly how expensive should a pastor's shoes be? Should pastors, professors, speakers or other culture leaders receive gifts? We wade into the ethics of power and money in light of some recent scandals.
Captain Marvel is breaking the box office. Dr. Michelle Reyes joins us to dive into the surprising spiritual themes of this marvelous new movie. We cover everything from Feminism to refugees.
Author and artist Justin McRoberts joins us to talk prayer. Why is prayer so intimidating for many of us? And how can art invite us to recover prayer as a simple, accessible practice? Plus: a bevy of great t-shirt ideas.
If creating is a calling, then don't we owe it to ourselves (and God) to take our creative process seriously? Author and professor Julianna Baggott returns to the podcast to share about her amazing new course, Efficient Creativity.
Ben Winters returns to dive into his new novel, GOLDEN STATE. It's a detective story set in a dystopian future where telling lies is illegal, so we reflect on the nature of truth and whether it's possible to love a thing too much.
While Kathy's in Paris, we reflect on some pop culture that turns 30 this year. Then we explore how to avoid fights when sharing Jesus. How can we keep our relationship with the other person center? (Plus, seriously, why were there so many great movies in 1989?)
Now that Season 3 of the Good Place has devastated us all, we dive into why we're so fascinated with this show about ethics and the afterlife. Plus, since the whole show is about impostor syndrome, we ask Clay and Kathy to shed some light on this all-too-common experience of feeling like a fraud.
Church attendance is plummeting in the US, but people aren't becoming less spiritual. What's behind the rise of this new paganism? How is the Church contributing?
Despite the push for diversity, college campuses still feel very segregated. Dr. Julie J Park joins us to explore why. We dive into how religious organizations can both help and hurt - and how we can be more intentional about pursuing diversity.
Rachel Held Evans arrives on the Fascinating Podcast! Her latest book, INSPIRED, is all about how to fall in love with the Bible again. We dive into the Gospels to explore exactly what is so good about Jesus' news.
Jose Humphreys returns to take us into the latest animated sensation, Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse. We explore this film that breaks ground in representation, animation and storytelling.
In our final episode of the year, we count down our favorite books we read this year. (So if you're still doing Christmas shopping, we got you covered!) What made our lists? What made yours?
What good does short term missions do? Daniel White Hodge returns to the show to explore how we can decolonize missions work. Plus: a deep dive on the death of self-proclaimed missionary John Chau.
What does it mean to be called to a place? In our latest megashow, we're joined by three authors who have been called to very different neighborhoods. Jonathan "Pastah J" Brooks, author of Church Forsaken, pastors in West Englewood, in Chicago. Jose Humphreys, author of Seeing Jesus in East Harlem, pastors in Harlem in New York City. And Ashley Hales, author of Finding Holy in the Suburbs, serves in the suburbs of Los Angeles. We investigate our own places, and how we are listening for God's call.
Advent begins on Sunday, so Clay, Kathy and JR. take some time to reflect on the reason for the season before Christmas. What do we gain by waiting a little longer for Christmas?
Podcaster Knox McCoy returns to the Fascinating Podcast to dive deep into how many of us use pop culture to help us understand who God is.
Latifah Alattas takes us behind the scenes of her latest album DIVORCE. How does one chronicle the ending of a marriage? What's important in recovery? And exactly how many parallel universes are there? All this and more on the latest episode!
Who gets to call themselves 'woke'? What does it mean to be awake to the realities of our world? Author and leadership expert Natasha Robinson joins us as we explore what consciousness looks like today. Her new book is a leadership book like no other.
Historian and horror scholar Scott Poole returns to the podcast just in time for Halloween. His new book explores how the Great War provided the language for horror cinema and literature. Why is horror such an important language for our culture today?
Many of many talents Henry Lien joins us to unravel the mysteries of wu liu - a martial art performed on ice skates. We talk everything from foot-binding to mean girls to girl power!
What unique challenges do minority persons experience when they live and work in majority culture? Author and leadership coach Adrian Pei teaches us how to see the pain of minority persons and engage the past in ways that are redemptive rather than shame-inducing.
Matt's latest book is a YA fantasy novel. Welcome to the Sunlit Lands, where you can have your heart's desire... for a price. We dive into how he created the world, and why fantasy is such a good space to explore issues of power and privilege.
What is the Fascinating Podcast? The StoryMen is no more. We're now the Fascinating Podcast. And welcome our new co-host, author Kathy Khang! Since Kathy's new book, RAISE YOUR VOICE, just came out, she starts out in the hot seat! So pull up a chair. We're just getting started!
Welcome to the Sixth World! Sci-Fi and fantasy author Rebecca Roanhorse has crafted a post-apocalyptic thriller set in the world of Navajo gods, heroes and monsters. Plus, we dig into why we're so obsessed with apocalypse stories.
It's our... 201st episode? Where did 200 go? No time for that now. We're joined by Bonnie Kristian to talk about what, exactly, counts as Orthodoxy. We dive deep into two topics: Creationism and Politics.
Allison Fallon returns to the StoryMen. Since she was last with us, her life has been turned upside down. She shares the journey from her new book, Indestructible. We explore trauma, how we recover and the healing power of writing your story.
How do you talk to people about Jesus? Evangelism is one of those topics Christians know they should care about, but often avoid. Matt's new book makes this scary topic approachable and fun... and of course we get the whole scoop!
With the Board Game renaissance well under way, the StoryMen bring on author Justin Lee. We explore our histories with board games and count down some of our current favorites. Listen in and let us know what you're playing!
The StoryMen catch up on the stories of the week and PPOW, then offer up one of our all-time most popular episodes: we talk with Dr. Peter Enns about how to read the Bible - and what to do when the Bible behaves badly!
What is white fragility? Austin Channing Brown joins us to explore this necessary but misunderstood term. Why do conversations about race so easily default to concern for the feelings of white persons? How can we spot the signs of white fragility? How can we keep conversations centered on the experiences of persons of color?
Has the way you read the Bible changed over your lifetime? We dive into how we read the Bible then and now. PLUS what we thought of INFINITY WAR (lots of spoilers, but not until the end)!
With Infinity War opening last weekend, the Summer movie season has officially kicked off. The StoryMen turn their annual Summer Movie Preview into a game: can we predict the three biggest box-office winners (after Infinity War)? Can we predict the biggest bust? And what should the loser have to do? YOU decide. PLUS: we have some summer writing goals as well, so we talk about how to find our writing discipline and rhythm.
Alan Noble joins the StoryMen to imagine how the Church can be truly disruptive. Too often, we merely imitate culture in ways more subtle than we realize. What practices mark us as Christian in ways that are truly distinctive and beautiful?
Ready Player One is Steven Spielberg's most successful film in nearly a decade. But is it good? Rabbi Eliyahu Fink returns to debate the film with JR. They reflect on the real world, religion and the dangers of nostalgia.
Weber Shandwick executive Jennifer Cho joins us to talk about what happens when it's time to change jobs... or even careers. How do you know when it's time to go? What are best practices for making a pivot?
Enneagram expert Suzanne Stabile joins us to explain the ins and outs of this ancient spiritual formation tool. We do a deep dive on what makes a Nine and how they relate with the world. Plus, the results of Bracketology 2018!
In the wake of the 2016 election, the state of Evangelicalism is under debate. A new book wonders whether Evangelicalism is worth fighting for. Professor and contributor Karen Swallow Prior returns to the show to talk about why she's still Evangelical - and what the future of the movement could look like. Plus, a game you won't see coming.
It's that time of year again! Find out who made it to the StoryMen final game in our annual pop culture bracket. Then, YOU get to pick the winner!
America's prison system is deeply broken. Can the Church be a voice of hope and healing? Dominique Gilliard offers a powerful vision of restorative justice that seeks to heal the wrongs our prison industrial complex has inflicted on our culture.
How does a Christian conduct business in a way that's biblically faithful? After all, Jesus never had a 401k. Moses didn't have a search committee. Professor Alec Hill joins us to explore how we find ethics in Scripture... and bring them into the modern business world.
Writing and publishing guru Jane Friedman joins us to talk about the business side of writing. Plus, what do you do when you hate your book cover?
Scholar and theologian Elaine Storkey joins the StoryMen to summarize her answer to the question, "Why are humans so violent towards women?" Based on a lifetime of research and exploration, Dr. Storkey has a powerful vision for how the Church can be an agent of healing.
Dancer Aesha Ash invites the StoryMen into the world of the Swan Dreams project. How is she using the beauty of dance to bring hope, smash stereotypes and inspire kids of all colors and backgrounds?
Star Wars artist John DiBiase joins us to talk about the art of a galaxy far, far away. Plus, a deep dive into Christian music and a surprise hijacking.
Film Critic Josh Larsen joins the StoryMen to explore how we read movies as persons of faith. What's the difference between having a conversation with a film and colonizing it? How do films express deep human longing?
Writer and podcastor Mur Lafferty joins us to talk about what it looks like to be a professional writer. We then dive into the process of creating her newest novel, Six Wakes, a locked-room murder mystery in space... with CLONES! Plus, a shocking PPOW that will go down in StoryMen history!
It's the StoryMen Season 8 finale! We go out with a bang, welcoming author Sarah Shin to discuss why being "colorblind" just isn't good enough. We do a deep-dive into what it looks like to seek out cross-cultural friendships without being "that person" who offends and wounds when we're trying to heal.
The StoryMen tackle The Last Jedi with the help of Rabbi Eliyahu Fink. We're just as divided as the rest of fandom, but that doesn't stop us from wrestling with what the film has to say about that old time religion.
In our penultimate episode of Season 8, we review our favorite Books, TV shows and Films of 2017.
Why are so many female characters in the Bible ignored, marginalized or sexualized? Dr. Sandra Glahn joins us to discuss her new project, Vindicating the Vixens. We explore John 4 and Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman as a case study.
Stephen R. Donaldson returns to the StoryMen to discuss his new book, Seventh Decimate. We talk about pursuing knowledge in the age of alternative facts and fake news, and the StoryMen convince Steve to preach a little, despite himself.
Pastor and author Tara Beth Leach brings us a new vision for empowering women in ministry. Drawing from her new book, Emboldened, she demonstrates how empowered women are good news for the whole Church - and the world!
White people find race challenging to talk about. Far too often conversations around race summon feelings of shame and anger. Author, pastor and justice activist Ken Wytsma helps us talk about white privilege and white supremacy. How can we have the conversations that are healing and holy?
Science-fiction author David Walton joins us to explore his new book The Genius Plague. A hard-science novel about a terrifying smart-zombie apocalypse raises questions about what it means to be human and conscious.
JR.'s editor from IVP, Al Hsu, joins us to talk about the rerelease of his book Grieving a Suicide. We explore how conversation surrounding mental health and suicide has changed in the last fifteen years, as well as how we can be better about prevention.
2 - Book Launch 6 - Incentives 11 - PPOW 15 - Al Hsu 26 - Is Suicide a Cardinal Sin? 30 - Processing Suicide 43 - Connect with Al
After eight seasons of the StoryMen, JR. finally publishes his first book! We get the scoop on Empathy for the Devil, including a deep dive on Jezebel. Plus, a giveaway with a surprise prize.
Randal Rauser returns to the StoryMen to talk about his problems with salvation. Specifically, Randal helps us think through how we think about what it means to be saved. From being friends with the Devil to saved serial killers to trying to understand the Trinity, we work to wrap our minds around exactly how vast God's grace for us is.
3 - Book Update 7 - Randal's Back 10 - What does it mean to be saved? 40 - Ending on a high note 44 - PPOW 48 - Where on the Internet?
Salvation Army officer and warrior against human trafficking Danielle Strickland joins us. She quickly becomes our new favorite person as she explains why begrudgingly watching The Walking Dead became a spiritual exercise that tied directly into her justice mission.
In This Episode: 4- Danielle Strickland 8 - In the Salvation Army 16 - The Zombie Gospel 33 - PPOW 40 - Connect with Danielle
The StoryMen discuss the habits of a writer. When did we begin writing? What habits help us be effective? And how do we hack our own brains to make sure we get projects done?
7- Writing 23 - First Pro Paper 31 - Making time to write 44 - PPOW
In this week's episode we tackle the controversy over NFL personnel protesting the National Anthem. What's it all mean and what is an appropriate response? We also consider why the billion dollar American Christian fiction industry doesn't export so much to other nations. Plus, a fun cameo from a very special guest making his first appearance by phone on the Storymen.
Our co-host Clay got engaged over the summer! We welcome his fiance Jen to the show to get the scoop on how they met and how he popped the question. Plus, Jen joins in on our PPOWs and of course displays her Geek credentials. It's probably the most heartwarming StoryMen ever!
The StoryMen return once more! We catch up on our very eventful summers. We update you on the various projects we have brewing. We recap our favorite books of the summer. And we argue over which movie reigned supreme at the box-office. We're back! And it's good to be back.
Churches all over North America are in sharp decline - especially among younger believers. Author Zach Hoag sees this not as a threat, but an opportunity. It's an apocalypse - a revealing of deep problems in the Church - and great promise.
Evangelicalism tends to create anxiety in us - that we're not doing enough to earn God's love. Author Ed Cyzewski joins us to share his path from anxiety to security, through the path of contemplative prayer.
Since Matt just put out a new translation of the book of Ruth, we discuss the issues that go into translating the Bible. What questions do translators have to ask themselves? What're our favorite translations? PLUS: our hot take on the new Jordan Peele project!dro
Late Night has become a landscape of political humor. What is satire? When is it effective? And what effect is the current brand of political humor having on American culture? PLUS: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2.
In light of some recent confusion surrounding the Civil War, Clay leads us in a historical discussion of President Andrew Jackson and the causes of the Civil War. We also argue about Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2 and play a new game: Generals vs Generals!
The StoryMen welcome author and beaver-pants-maker Paul J Pastor to talk mysticism and his new book The Listening Day.
Since Summer is nearly here (unless you live in TX like Clay and JR.), we each pick three books we've loved lately. That's nine total books you want to add to your list. PLUS updates on all three StoryMen writing projects!
Rick Lee James returns to the StoryMen to give us the scoop on his latest work. "The Invitation" is a communion song that invites everyone to the table. We talk about communion, worship and - since Rick is a consummate geek, too - comics.
It's that time of year again! We return with our FOURTH annual Pop Culture Bracketology! Who made the list this year? And who will win the final game? The vote is YOURS!
The StoryMen reflect on the 2017 Oscars and make our predictions, complain about what got snubbed and the worst films of 2017. PLUS: What's new at Norville, an update on our refugee family and how Clay got onstage with Pen & Teller!
The StoryMen welcome journalist Tom Krattenmaker back to the show. Tom's provocative new book, Confessions of a Secular Jesus Follower, is all about why someone who doesn't believe in God wants to follow Jesus. Plus, an update on our StoryMen refugee family.
Andrew Baron, co-founder and CEO of Humanwire gives us an inside look at the global refugee crisis. Humanwire is his innovative solution to connect real people on both sides - those who want to help and those who need it. PLUS, the StoryMen adopt a refugee family. Listen for details on how you can join us to support them!
Artist, activist and scholar Dr. Su'ad joins the StoryMen to discuss her new book, MUSLIM COOL. She explains how Islam and hip hop are challenging and changing the American identity. Plus: we run down the Oscar nominees for Best Picture.
Our 150th episode is dedicated to Susako Endo's masterful novel SILENCE. In honor of the new film from Martin Scorsese, we interview an array of artists, theologians and historians about the themes of this powerful story.
The StoryMen look back at their favorite TV, Books, Film and Comics from 2016. What were your favorites?
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, the StoryMen give you a whole episode dedicated to the smash Netflix hit LUKE CAGE! Our all-star panel includes hip hop theology scholar Daniel White Hodge, religion and comics scholar Katherine Sanchez and hip hop artist Da MAC. We talk race, religion and hip hop, and how this show changed the game.
Randal Rauser returns to the StoryMen, bringing his friend, co-author and atheologian Justin Schieber with him. They show us how an athiest and a Christian can engage in kind, respectful and profitable dialog - all for the common good!
The StoryMen welcome Rabbi Eliyahu Fink and Reverend Tara Thomas Smith to discuss the latest HBO sensation WESTWORLD. We dive deep into the show's theology through the plot and characters, so listen up!
Thomas Jay Oord returns to the podcast to reflect on a year with his landmark book The Uncontrolling Love of God. How has he navigated the criticism and praise surrounding the book? And what's next?
Hip Hop artist Da MAC returns to the StoryMen to give us the behind-the-scenes scoop on his new album JOURNEY. From conceptualization to songwriting to recording and production, learn how an independent artist makes an album. PLUS, hear his new song, "UNITE", featuring Jaci Butler of Jagged Row
Author Lorie Langdon returns to the StoryMen! She reflects on how it feels to wrap up her 4-novel DOON series, then puts our geek credentials to shame. And finally, Lorie gives us the scoop on her buzzy new YA mystery, Gilt Hollow. Listen in for tips on writing a good mystery, plus a couple of fun updates from the StoryMen on our own writing projects!
The StoryMen finally welcome Tom Fuerst to the podcast. Tom tells us why we should be fascinated by Jesus' genealogy. Then we dive into the story of Tamar, where Tom explains how righteous prostitution works. Plus a giveaway!
The StoryMen welcome Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan to talk about Good Christian Sex, the subject of her new book. Why are the Church's conversations about sexuality so confused? How can we move toward a holy conversation about sex and sexuality? Plus a giveaway!
The StoryMen welcome author and self-proclaimed Wild One Shannon Wilson. After comparing travel notes with Matt, Shannon tells us who these Wild Ones are. Why hasn't the Church embraced them? And how can the Church do better at making space for Wild Ones?
Dr. Emily Friedman joins us to put our geek credentials to shame, then share about her work in the history of smell. Why is something so essential to understanding our world so easily ignored?
The StoryMen revisit their Summer Movie predictions and inquire as to why the movies of 2016 have been so disappointing, overall. PLUS, what have we been reading lately?
In honor of Matt's new superhero novel, CAPEVILLE, the StoryMen welcome author John Otte to help us interview Matt. Get the scoop on his new book, and enter for a chance to win!
The StoryMen return for season 7 with best-selling author Ben H. Winters. Ben gives us the scoop on his new book Underground Airlines, a thriller set in an alternate history where slavery was never outlawed in the United States. We talk religion, race and inhabiting a world nearly as terrifying as the one Ben created... our own!
The StoryMen welcome pastor and author Curtis Tucker to discuss SHAME in the Church. Why have our churches become such shame-factories? And how can revisiting our picture of God help restore our sense of the good news that God did not create us to be ashamed?
Producer Erik Lokkesmoe of Different Drummer productions joins us to talk making films about faith. We talk about his newest film, LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT. A provocative movie imagining Jesus' temptations in the wilderness, this movie spoke to all of us. Come behind the scenes of this breathtaking movie!
Author and all around good guy Jason Boyett was our first ever guest on StoryMen, and now he's back for episode 132 to talk about his new book on Greek Mythology. Plus Matt and JR. face off in a Pop Mythology Trivia Battle. It's The Greek vs. The Beard in a titanic quiz clash.
Joshua Ryan Butler returns to the StoryMen to talk about the spiritual sequel to The Skeletons in God's Closet. Joshua takes us into The Pursuing God to discover a fresh vision of a relentless, loving God. PLUS: we discuss whether Jesus could have sinned or not!
Summer Movies are upon us! After we review Civil War, we wonder if any of the upcoming Summer films can unseat it from #1 at the box office. We also predict what will be the biggest box office flop, and talk about the films we're most excited for.
Latifah Phillips returns to the StoryMen to spill the beans on her new solo project Moda Spira. She tells us what it's like to work as an independent musician, and what's next for Moda Spira.
Ever thought about starting your own podcast? The StoryMen welcome 4th StoryMan Aaron Kretzman back to the other side of the mic, as well as StoryFan and podcastor Rick Reynolds. We talk about the ins and outs of getting a podcast started, and list some of our personal favorites.
Guest co-host Paul Asay returns to the StoryMen to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day. How did World War II change the trajectory of American Religion? How are we still living with the consequences - both good and bad - of the religious response to WWII?
Film critic Alissa Wilkinson tells the StoryMen why the recent spate pop culture apocalypses are good news for people of faith. Along the way, we talk about Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Walking Dead and more!
Author Tex Thompson tells us about her Wild West fantasy series Children of the Drought. How does an author write multiple races responsibly, and how to employ magic users while avoiding the "magical native" trope.
The StoryMen welcome back geek guru Leia Calderon to discuss the record-setting Batman v Superman. Since none of us particularly enjoyed the film, we talk about what didn't work, and why. Plus, why won't Matt see the film?
In honor of Flannery O'Conner's 91st birthday and Good Friday, we welcome Dr. Tim Basselin and fan-favorite Emily Maynard to discuss why O'Conner is one of the great American authors, her distinctive Christian voice and a particularly appropriate Good Friday story, "Parker's Back".
Our annual March Madness Pop Culture Bracket playoff is on. How do the biggest names, events and artifacts from the last year of pop culture fare when pitted against each other? Listen up to find out, and cast your votes in the final four round!
We struggle to balance strength and weakness in our lives. Is it better to be authoritative or vulnerable? Andy Crouch returns to the podcast to suggest we're approaching the question all wrong. Andy offers a new paradigm: to flourish we must be both strong and weak. What does that look like? Listen in.
The StoryMen welcome Dr. John Wilsey to take on American Exceptionalism. Wilsey argues that while American Exceptionalism often leads to idolatry, it doesn't have to, When is exceptionalism idolatry and when does it encourage the common good?
Scott Derrickson recently suggested that revenge films may be the signature of America's spiritual sickness. The StoryMen welcome back Emily Maynard to talk revenge - could it really inform an exploration of America's spiritual condition?
Gene Luen Yang returns to the StoryMen to tell us about his groundbreaking run on Superman! How do you go about telling a new story about an 80-year old character? And how is Superman an immigration story? Plus: Gene explains his amazing new role as the Ambassador of Young People's Literature for the Library of Congress.
The StoryMen review the Best Picture contenders for the 2016 Academy Awards and make our predictions. Then we investigate the rise of the so-called Legacyquel, and ask whether remakes are ever better than the original.
The StoryMen welcome author Jake Kerr to share his writing and self-publishing secrets. We also get the inside scoop on his newest book Tommy Black and the Coat of Invincibility!
The StoryMen welcome Mark Salomon, lead singer of Stavesacre, Outer Circle, Neon Horse, White Lighter and more. We find out how Mark got into faith and music, and what it was like to be in the Christian music scene. Mark tells us how his new podcast, NEVER WAS... is the sequel to Simplicity and what to expect from future music projects.
The StoryMen welcome Rabbi Eliyahu Fink back to talk about the biggest film of 2015 - STAR WARS Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Listen up and let us know what you think!
The StoryMen welcome comic shop captain, blogger and all-around geek Leia Calderon to discuss the Netflix/Marvel show JESSICA JONES. We dive into a conversation about rape culture and victim blaming, and how the show masterfully addresses these issues.
JR. chats about the latest Pixar offering THE GOOD DINOSAUR with Rabbi Eliyahu Fink. They talk about whether the film is good (it's not) and what it's good for. PLUS they talk about the incredible short Sanjay's Superhero Team.
The StoryMen talk about Matt's new book SKY LANTERN. Learn the whole story behind the book, including what Matt originally wrote, and what he learned. PLUS: in honor of his book, we count down our favorite books we read this year.
The StoryMen catch up with Da MAC to hear about his innovative new tour. Then we welcome Dr. Thomas Jay Oord to discuss his provocative new book The Uncontrolling Love of God. Thomas walks us through "Essential Kenosis,", newly proposed framework for understanding the problem of evil. Listen up and let us know what you think of Thomas' answer to one of theology's thorniest issues.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the StoryMen welcome author, professor and environmental theologian Tripp York. Tripp challenges us to reflect on how the way we treat animals reveals what we believe about God, creation and our relationship to both.
The StoryMen welcome Dr. Rodney Reeves, author of Rediscovering Jesus. He teaches us how to spot our "composite Jesuses" and walks us through how to read the Gospels "vertically" to see the unique Jesus each of them portrays.
While they were on the set of Z-Nation for their supersized episode 100, the StoryMen got to interview A Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin! Listen in as George talks about his new TV show Captain Cosmos and his charity for wolves.
In honor of JR.'s birthday (and impending Halloween), the StoryMen play some catch up, evaluate current projects and reflect on Back to the Future Day.
The StoryMen welcome author and professor Karen Swallow Pryor to introduce us to Hannah More, history's forgotten abolitionist. We learn how Hannah's passion for justice transformed 17th century England, why she was forgotten, and why we need to remember her today.
Four great recent films cause Clay and JR. look back on a pretty great summer of films. What took the best slots for us? Listen up, and let us know your picks!
The StoryMen welcome Zach Rawlings, host of the We are Misunderstood Podcast to talk mental health. Zach tells us how he got into the mental health services and how we can remove the stigma surrounding mental health in our culture.
With the release of the new Kendrick brothers film War Room, the StoryMen lament yet another bad Christian film. They offer up other films that make a better case for being "Christian" - along with a discussion of what even counts as a Christian film.
The StoryMen welcome historical fiction author Sarah McCoy to talk about how her unique life has shaped her fiction. She also tells us how she researches her novels, and finds unique voices to share her stories.
Episode 100 was so full of amazing interviews that we didn't get to share the very important life lessons we learned along the way. Revelations about each other, history and science!
Welcome to Episode 100! The StoryMen travel to Spokane, WA to the set of Season Two of Z-Nation. We interview many of the cast and crew, and learn just how great season 2 is going to be. Listen up in this super-sized milestone episode of the StoryMen!
The StoryMen welcome back New York Times Bestselling author Julianna Baggott to discuss her poignant, funny, powerful and spiritual new book, HARRIET WOLF'S SEVENTH BOOK OF WONDERS. We touch on everything from writing the Other to the nature of love and story to the mysterious blessing of parenthood.
The StoryMen welcome David Scott, husband of New York Times Bestselling Author Julianna Baggott. We talk with David about what it's like to be on the other side of the creative relationship, and how he and Julianna have made their 20+ year marriage thrive.
The StoryMen welcome author and podcaster Matt Mikalatos to the show to discuss his new book Into the Fray. A sequel to The First Time We Saw Him, Matt reimagines the book of Acts, setting the stories of the early church in a contemporary context. Matt shares what he learned writing the book, reads one of his favorite parts and we dream about what the Church can learn today.
Randal Rauser returns to the StoryMen to call for Evangelicals to reconsider our approach to Atheism. After we review the ugly history of Christian-Atheist relations, we examine how we can begin to show respect for our atheist neighbors, and even learn from them.
The StoryMen welcome author, speaker and counselor Deb Hirsch to discuss her new book REDEEMING SEX. We talk about why the Church is so bad with sex, and how to talk about gender in our contemporary culture.
Chad Gibbs joins us to tell us how to travelhack, and how his journeys around the world changed how he saw God, himself and the USA. Plus, we hear the legend of the War Eagle.
The StoryMen catch up on some happenings around the Internet, then consider what it means to rest well. Plus, a reasonable amount of silliness.
We welcome Rachel Kessler of the Geekually Yoked Podcast to discuss a film she thinks everyone should see, the 1946 French classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
The StoryMen reflect on Deflategate and what it means when our heroes turn out to be human. We discuss the nature of art and its connection to the creators. Can we love art made by dispicable persons?
The StoryMen welcome the Productive Pastor, Chad Brooks, to discuss the new George Miller post-apocalyptic masterpiece, MAD MAX: Fury Road. We do so with great gusto.
The StoryMen welcome Dr. John Walton, author of The Lost World of Adam and Eve. We discuss Genesis 2-3, and what it really means to read Genesis "literally".
The StoryMen welcome back author and blogger Paul Asay. Since Paul's new book, Burning Bush 2.0, is all about how to interpret pop culture, we tackle the new MARVEL film AGE OF ULTRON.
The StoryMen welcome author and Spiritual Director Tara Owens to discuss what it means to have bodies. We investigate why the Church struggles to embrace embodied existence, the power of touch, and why giving up contacts for Lent is more than a First World Problem. Plus, win a copy of Tara's excellent book!
The StoryMen welcome "Gospel According to Breaking Bad" author Blake Atwood and Faith blogger (and Hollywood tastemaker) John Bucher to talk about AMC's hit new Breaking Bad prequel, Better Call Saul. Just how good is the show? And do we manage to call the whole series?
The StoryMen welcome philosopher and author Steve Bein to tell us all about his genre-bending fantasy series the Fated Blades. We talk Japanese culture, race issues and some key differences between Eastern and Western thought.
The StoryMen break down the Pop Culture Championship game and predict winners. Then we pose a historical question: If you could change one historical event, what would it be? That leads us into Good Friday conversation about Jesus' death on the cross and the big question: Would we stop it if we could?
Clay and JR. catch up on the many new shows they've been watching before turning their attention to JR.'s first published essay. In the end, they take some steps toward a pop theology.
It's the Pop Culture Showdown of 2015. Like last year, we'll take on the first two rounds and then open it up for you to vote.
The StoryMen crash Dallas All-Con to investigate the relationship between religion and sci-fi/fantasy. We're joined by authors Jake Kerr and Gabriel Gurrero.
The StoryMen return with a wild and ranging new episode! We learn how Clay and JR. are settling into Dallas, and how JR. makes Clay fear for his life on a near-daily basis. After hearing what Pope Francis is giving up for Lent, we discuss why we were happy to see Birdman take home the Oscar for Best Picture and wrap up with a special guest PPOW!
The StoryMen kick off Season 5 with a bang! Welcome Nick Cole and Michael Bunker, architects of the mysterious and ambitious Apocalypse Weird universe. Nick and Michael give us a preview of this revolutionary new venture, and give every listener a FREE book. Plus, we all sing the praises of M. S. Corley.
The StoryMen welcome friend Adam Peck. We consider the Alabama church meeting in a Buffalo Wild Wings, and what that means for worship. Adam also tells us about his project designed to help returning soldiers reconnect with their families.
The StoryMen welcome back our friend Rabbi Eliyahu Fink to discuss Ridley Scott's new super-sized blockbuster EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS. Since we were all pretty underwhelmed by the star-studded epic, we talk about what was missing, and why NOAH was oh so much better. As Eli says, "This episode is much more entertaining than the movie!" It's also about an hour shorter!
The StoryMen welcome back Ironic Mom Leanne Shirtliffe. After they discuss the merits of the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life, Leanne runs down some of the very worst toys of 2014. Leanne tells us about her new books, and joins us in some excellent Pop Culture Picks of the Week!
The StoryMen welcome 4th StoryMan Aaron Kretzmann back in front of the mic. Since it's the Christmas season, they evaluate the classic film Christmas Vacation. They move on to discuss Pope Francis' recent visit to Turkey, and then hear about Aaron's new venture Phos Studios.
The StoryMen welcome hip-hop artist Da MAC to talk about his new album, SUPREMACY. Da MAC shares about his career and what's gone into the album.
The StoryMen take some time to reflect on what they're grateful for. The conversation turns to Thanksgiving traditions - real and made up. Then, since we're talking about founding myths, we investigate recent admissions by the Mormon church that Joseph Smith was in fact a polygamist. Finally, we engage the conversation about the "Stand and Greet" time many churches employ, but many people hate. Plus, we introduce our Pop Culture Picks of the Week!
The StoryMen tell some jokes, and then dive into a very serious subject: if aliens do exist (of course they do!), are they fallen? Does Jesus' death and resurrection redeem them, too? A fun conversation about exotheology turns to how we think about those who are different from us, and what makes us human.
The StoryMen welcome author Shawn Smucker. He recently Kickstarted his debut novel, and has already exceeded his initial goals. How did he do it? And how does he tell a good story? Listen up, then help Shawn reach his stretch goals!
The StoryMen welcome author, biblical scholar and baseball fan Pete Enns. Pete's new book, "The Bible Tells Me So" challenges biblical literalism and invites us to read the BIble on its own terms, rather than ours. It's a wild conversation, full of listener questions!
The StoryMen love Twitter (it's sort of our mother). But a lot of people find Twitter hard to get started with. No longer! Here are all the ways you can get started and make Twitter awesome for YOU too!
The StoryMen sit down with friend and pastor Josh Butler to examine the Skeletons in God's Closet. In his new book, Josh investigates those doctrines Christians find embarassing, shameful or just plain scary. He's convinced that the doctrines of Hell, Judgment and Holy War are actually good news, that they affirm God's love for us. We dive deep into his take on Hell, and giveaway a free copy of the book!
The StoryMen welcome filmmaker and producer Dan Merchant. Since Dan is one of the creative minds behind SyFy's new zombie show Z-Nation, he reveals to us the guts of how TV shows get made. Needless to say, Dan leaves us hungry for more. So let this episode blow up your brain!
The StoryMen review Fall Television and the near-evil nature of their 66th Episode. They kick around why an NFL ref called a penalty on Husain Abdullah for praying in the End Zone, and what that says about American reactions to Islam. A potpourri episode guaranteed to keep you entertained!
The StoryMen welcome fellow podcastor and geek Rick Lee James to the show. Rick is a worship pastor whose recent book, OUT OF THE DEPTHS, explores how the Psalms can shape our worship. We talk worship, scripture and of course, comics.
The StoryMen return from their summer break with big news: JR. is immigrating to Texas! Plus, we review the Summer movie offerings and investigate the claim that Jesus would authorize a genocide against Muslims. That's a lot to pack into an episode, but it's a SEASON PREMIER!
The StoryMen welcome author (and JR.'s old friend) Erin Davis. Her new book, CONNECTED, explores our need for relationships. We talk about how to figure out if you're lonely, the cure for business, and what a Sabbath really looks like. Also that time JR. almost killed a kid. By accident, mostly.
The StoryMen take some time out to respond to a bunch of listener questions and comments. Emily Maynard returns as guest co-host to help us sort through issues of gender, violence and history books. Plus, cage matches and travel. Because, YOU ASKED FOR IT!
The StoryMen welcome back Rob Shepherd to talk the greatest villains of all time. We start with movies, but move into books, and save some time at the end to talk our favorite Biblical villains. Who did we leave out?
IN THIS EPISODE: In this Episode 2:00 – Welcome Back, Rob Shep! 6:30 – New Pacific Rim and Edge of Tomorrow 10:30 – Back to Villains (in Movies and TV) 22:30 – Best Villains in Literature 27:00 – Best Biblical Villains 45:00 – Connect with Rob Online!
The StoryMen welcome Hollywood screenwriter Henry Gayden. Henry's new film, Earth to Echo, is the story of four friends who find something extraordinary in the desert. Henry also worked on Spider-Man 3, and wrote a YouTube series called Zombie Roadkill, so we have plenty to talk about, including how awesome Sam Raimi is, how he broke into Hollywood and what's next for him.
IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – World Cup Madness 03:30 – Alexander Hamilton's Home, the Apostle Paul and Lars's Wedding! 07:30 – Who is Henry Gayden? 10:00 – The Best BBQ in Memphis and the King 14:00 – Zombie Roadkill and Spider-Man 3 20:00 – Getting Earth to Echo 30:00 – Themes in Earth to Echo 38:00 – The Creativity of Screenwriting 44:30 – Geeking Out with Sam Raimi 47:00 – The Spider-Man 4 that Never Was 49:00 – How You Can Help Earth to Echo
The StoryMen welcome author and blogger Paul Asay. JR. finds out Paul is also a huge Batman fan, and they discuss what makes a good dad, the best (and worst) dads in Hollywood, and more!
The StoryMen welcome author and podcaster Matt Mikalatos to the show to discuss his new book "The First Time We Saw Him". Matt reimagines Jesus' life and parables by setting them in a contemporary context. Matt shares a couple of his favorites, we explore what exactly a parable is and why they remain so powerful 2,000 years later.
The StoryMen catch up as Clay went full zombie again, Matt is now an ordained minister and JR. watched some movies. We evaluate the new X-Men film Days of Future Past, and lament David Goyer's remarks on She-Hulk and the implications for the DC film universe.
IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – BatBeards 02:00 – The Right Reverend Milky Tacos 07:00 – Clay Gets Undead (Again) 13:00 – What We've Been Watching 17:00 – X-Men: Days of Future Past 30:00 – S-Men Spoil X-Men 40:00 – David Goyer, She-Hulk and the DC Moviverse
The StoryMen welcome relationship guru and all-around funny girl Joy Eggerichs to the show. We learn where to get the best fried egg in Portland, help out some poor saps on Yahoo Dating Questions and hear about The Illumination Project, Joy's new mentoring endeavor.
IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – Joy Eggerichs Say What? 03:00 – Really Into Fried Eggs 13:00 – What is Love and Respect NOW? 18:30 – Joy Gives Yahoo! Answers 51:00 – The Illumination Project
The StoryMen welcome rapper and fellow nerd Adam Warrock. Adam shares the story of his path to becoming a nerdcore artist, we talk comics for a while and reflect on how music creates community.
IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – Who is Adam Warrock? 07:00 – The Rise of Geek Culture 11:00 – Super Nerdy Comics Discussion 22:30 – Adam is Team Cyclops? 29:30 – What independent comics should we be reading? 36:00 – Comics as mythology and scripture 49:00 – Find Adam on the Internet (and a FREE SONG!)
Rabbi Eliyahu Fink returns to the StoryMen to discuss the Supreme Court Decision regarding public prayer. We explore the history of Religious Freedom, how the government and we as individuals should respond, and end by asking what's at stake in this conversation.
IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 - Welcome Back, Eli! Let's talk about Religious Freedom! 03:00 - A Brief History of Religious Freedom 07:00 - City of Greece, NY vs. Galloway 14:00 - Should we all just be okay with feeling uncomfortable? 19:00 - Case Study: Prayer in Schools 27:00 - Should we be wholly secular? 31:00 - What about Civil Religion? 37:00 - How should we pray in public? 41:00 - What's at stake for us?
The StoryMen welcome author, blogger and romantic comedy expert Melissa Tagg. We evaluate the respective merits of Jack Bauer, Chris Hemsworth, the 1980s. We debate the difference between Romantic Comedies and Chick Flicks, and pick apart what makes a great Romantic Comedy great. Melissa walks us through how she writes a Romantic Comedy and what it looks like to romance the Church.
IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 - Melissa Tag vs. Matt Mikalatos 03:00 - Who Loves Jack Bauer? 09:30 - Who Loves Chris Hemsworth? 12:30 - Melissa vs. the 1980s 18:30 - Clay Hates the Sound of Music 20:30 - The Anatomy of the Romantic Comedy 28:30 - Our Favorite Romantic Comedies 39:30 - Writing Christian Romance 43:30 - When the Church idolizes Marriage 48:30 - Here to Stay 53:00 - GIVEAWAY!
It's that time of year when lots of big life changes are happening, from graduations to weddings and more! The StoryMen share stories of their own transitions, and ponder how you can know God's will.
Part 2 of our double-sized Episode 50! The StoryMen come to you live from the Q2014 Conference held in Nashville, TN, where they're joined by English professor and story expert Sarah-Jane Murray. In Part 2, we review the second day of Q, working through our favorite speakers, some problematic discussions of gender, some great discussions of gender, and what we thought of Day 2. Also it was super-late when we recorded, so we're a bit slap-happy.
In this Episode: 00:00 - It's Late and our Brains are Full 03:00 - Q Brings the Tension 06:30 - Sarah-Jane's Favorites 09:30 - Clay's Favorites 12:00 - Matt's Favorites 14:00 - The most problematic talk 17:00 - Matt and JR. got in a fight 28:00 - Closing thoughts from Tripp Crosby
The StoryMen welcome professor and story expert Sarah-Jane Murray to debrief the first day of Q 2014 in Nashville. We review our highlights and share our thoughts on the conference takeaways.
In this Episode: 00:00 - Meet Sarah-Jane Murray 03:00 - What is the Q Conference? 08:00 - Public Broadcasting and the Arts 14:00 - Q So Far 21:00 - Andy Crouch's "Religious Freedom", Good Manners and Christina Cleveland 31:00 - Donna Freitas and the HookUp Culture 42:00 - The best of the rest
The StoryMen look ahead at the summer of 2014. We each pick three films we're excited for, a guilty pleasure and one we're punishing each other by requiring them to see. We also talk about Easter - why it's on such a crazy schedule, our Easter traditions and what this weekend looks like for us this year.
In this Episode: 00:00 - FROZEN and the Top Box Office of All Time 05:00 - What films are you most anticipating this summer? 23:00 - What film will you see this summer that you're pre-ashamed of? 28:00 - What film must the other StoryMen see as punishment? 37:00 - Easter: Why does it move around so much?
The StoryMen welcome back pastor and pop culture junkie Rob Shepherd. We talk about Captain America, spring TV and Clay introduces us to a new game: CHRONOLOGY! Last but not least, we talk about our plans for Holy Week and give a sneak preview of the latest Page CXVI album "Good Friday to Easter".
In this Episode: 00:00 - Pop Culture Bracketology Final Round 06:00 - Goonies Sequel, Winter Soldier and TV: Turn and Game of Thrones 25:00 - A New Game: CHRONOLOGY 36:00 - Holy Week Traditions 50:00 - Preview Page CXVI's "Roll Away the Stone" from Good Friday to Easter
The StoryMen welcome Rabbi Eliyahu Fink and Mikey Fissel (of the Reel World Theology podcast) to discuss Darren Aronofsky's new film NOAH.
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 – Special Guests: Rabbi Eliyahu Fink and Mikey Fissel 05:00 – First Impressions of NOAH 07:00 – The Difference between Jewish and Christian approaches to the Bible 18:00 – Overall thoughts on NOAH 20:30 – Matt Drops In 21:30 – SPOILERS for NOAH 22:30 – NOAH and Gnosticism 27:30 – Rock Monsters, Methuselah and Subverting God’s Will! 35:30 – Favorite Scenes 45:00 – Connect with our Guests
The StoryMen welcome back Emily Maynard. We discuss the books that have most profoundly shaped us... and why they left such a lasting impact.
In this Episode: 0:00 – Welcome Back Emily! 03:00 – What Books Have Shaped Us? (First Books) 17:00 – Second Books 31:00 – Third Books 44:00 – Which Shapes Us More: Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Find links to al the books in the shownotes!
In honor of March Madness, the StoryMen create their own Pop Culture Bracket, and battle it down to the Final Four. Who will win? IT'S UP TO YOU, Listeners! Vote on Facebook, or on StoryMen.us!
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 – March Madness! 4:00 – The StoryMen 2014 Pop Culture Tournament: Round 1 43:30 – Round 2 50:00 – Round 3 54:00 – FINAL FOUR: You Choose
The StoryMen welcome back fan-favorite Julianna Baggott to discuss the controversial finale to BURN, the final installment in her outstanding YA trilogy. We spend plenty of time talking in generalities before we SPOIL EVERYTHING. So pull up a chair and listen in!
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 – Clay's Gone, Julianna's Back! 5:00 – How does it feel to finish a trilogy? 11:00 – The Writing Process: Plotter or Pants-er? 17:00 – The StoryMen Spoil BURN 24:00 – The Dome 30:00 – The Passion of El Capitan 33:30 – How do you deal with negative reactions to the finale? 36:00 - What's next for Julianna? 40:00 – Is Pure coming to the screen?
Who is Norville Rogers? The StoryMen return to introduce the new flagship site for blogging. But first, they have to catch up.
In this Episode: 00:00 – New Theme Music! 03:00 – LEGO Movie, Boxing and Book Agents 09:30 – Where in the World is Matt Mikalatos? (Ep43 Installment) 17:00 – Clay Teaches All the Classes 12:30 – Who is Norville Rogers? 26:30 - What's Next in Season 3? 29:30 – The Oscars 2014 38:30 - LENT
The StoryMen welcome author, speaker and thought leader Andy Crouch to talk about his excellent new book Playing God. Andy talks to us about how we wield power and what it looks like to use our power well.
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 – What's next for the StoryMen? 8:00 – Andy Crouch: Not Quite Geek 13:00 – Playing God: Can power be good? 19:00 – What's gone wrong with power? 24:30 – What is privilege (and do I have it)? 35:00 – How can I discover and leverage my privilege? 40:00 – What is Playing God going to do? 43:30 – Giveaway!
The StoryMen welcome pastor, blogger and movie buff Rob Shepherd, aka Rob Shep. We argue about the Marvel movies for a while, then talk about THOR: The Dark World. We also discuss Rob's new book "Even If You Were Perfect, Someone Would Crucify You." What does healthy criticism look like, and what can all we recovering people-pleasers do?
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 – An Important Anniversary (for Clay) 9:00 – A Sequel to It's A Wonderful Life? 12:00 – Rob Shepherd a.k.a. Rob Shep 18:00 – Let's all fight about Marvel Movies! 29:00 – THOR: The Dark World 43:00 – Even If You Were Perfect, Someone Would Crucify You 51:00 – Giveaway!
The StoryMen welcome Tifah Philiips of Page CXVI. We explore the difference between Advent and Christmas, what our favorite carols are and hear all about Page CXVI's new project to create three albums ordered around the Church calendar.
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 - StoryMen out of order 3:00 - The Return of Tifah Phillips 5:00 - Advent and the Church Year 9:30 - What's the difference between Advent and Christmas? 13:00 - Reinterpreting Hymns (and Clay returns!) 16:30 - Favorite Christmas Songs 25:30 - Listen to "Comfort, Comfort, O My People" by Page CXVI 29:30 - Giveaway! 34:30 - "Silent Night" by Page CXVI
The StoryMen welcome author, professor and theologian Randal Rauser to discuss the afterlife. Randal's new book What on Earth Do We Know About Heaven? presses us to imagine the full nature of God's restored creation.
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 – The Great StoryMen Road Trip of '13 08:00 – Randal Rauser: author, apologist, geek 19:00 – What on Earth Do We Know About Heaven? 23:30 – Will deaf persons be able to hear in Heaven? 32:00 – Did the Greeks ruin everything? 35:00 – Will the Titanic Sail Again? 40:30 - Does our view of Heaven matter? 49:00 - But what about ghosts? 55:00 - GIVEAWAY!
The StoryMen welcome JR.'s favorite author of all time, Stephen R. Donaldson. Steve is the author of the best-selling fantasy series The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, as well as several more series. We discuss the religious power of stories, what it's like to publish fantasy for four decades, and of course, the end of Thomas Covenant!
0:00 – JR.'s Best Birthday Present EVER 06:00 – The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant 10:00 – Stephen R. Donaldson & the Changing Publishing Landscape 15:30 – The Theology of Thomas Covenant and the Religion of Storytelling 30:00 – Why We Love Anti-Heroes (and Why Thomas Covenant Isn't One) 38:00 – Steve and the Creator 43:00 – Saying Goodbye to Thomas Covenant
The StoryMen welcome JR.'s tattoo artist and friend Lars Van Zandt to talk about the world of tattooing. We discuss the history of tattooing, how the industry has changed and what they're all about. Plus, Pixar's Grand Unified Theory, just because we can.
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 – Where in the World is Matt Mikalatos? 03:00 – Lars Van Zandt: Tattoo Artist to the StoryMen 10:00 – The History and Culture of Tattooing 20:00 – What Not to Ask a Tattoo Artist 26:00 – The Ins and Outs of Tattooing as Art 31:00 – The Spirituality of Ink 42:00 – The Pixar Grand Unifying Theory 48:00 – Matt's Questions 51:00 – What does the future of tattooing hold?
The StoryMen welcome graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang. We discuss Gene's previous work, the award-winning American Born Chinese, and his newest work, Boxers & Saints.
In This Episode: 0:00 – Clay and JR.'s real-life horror film 07:30 – Gene Luen Yang 12:30 – American Born Chinese 24:30 – Boxers & Saints 29:30 – It's More Complicated than That... 44:00 – Negotiating American Identity 50:00 – Favorite Saints
The StoryMen are back together exactly one year since they all met! We review our year of friendship and podcasting, reveal our true identities, our secret origin and dream about the next year of StoryMen!
In This Episode: 01:30 – The StoryMen's True Identities Revealed! 7:30 – The StoryMen's Secret Origin! 16:00 – A Year of Podcasting in Review 21:00 – Dayton, Sushi and Horror Films 35:00 – Arsenic and Old Lace 40:00 – Next Year on StoryMen!
M. S. Corley becomes the first ever returning co-host. We talk all things Halloween: where did it come from, should Christians celebrate it or not, and what is up with Reformation Day?
In this Episode: 0:00 – The Return of M. S. Corley (or: JR. is bad at Halloween) 06:00 – Halloween Stories 14:00 – Halloween vs. Harvest Parties vs. Reformation Day 32:00 – Christian Haunted Houses? 42:00 – What Halloween Candy Needs to Go? 44:00 - Halloween Traditions 53:00 - Halloween Recommendations
The StoryMen welcome blogger, author and veteran podcaster Knox McCoy. Knox may be the King of Pop Culture. Either that or Frank Pitt, Brad's smarmy little brother. Listen up as we talk fall television, the fall of film, and the return of Walking Dead!
The StoryMen welcome blogger and speaker Emily Maynard to help us navigate the treacherous world of the Evangelical conversation about Modesty. Are our bodies good? Are they dangerous? Should people who follow Jesus attempt to be modest at all? And where is MIkalatos?
In this Episode: 0:00 – The Fall TV Line Up 09:30 – Emily Maynard (not the Bachelorette) 17:00 – Culottes, Modesty, and Our Bodies 27:00 – Rape Culture 38:30 – Parenting and Good Modesty Rules
After answering some questions from the Storyverse, we use Louis CK's rant on cell phones to springboard into a discussion of social media. Is the price we pay for connectivity worth it? How social, exactly, is our media?
In this Episode: 01:30 – StoryMen Lightening Round 21:00 – Sabbath-Keeping Drug Dealers and Other Moral Villains 35:00 – Louis CK's Anti-Cell Phone Rant 41:00 – Is our Social Media Anti-Social?
The Storymen welcome author and blogger Matt Lee Anderson to talk about what a good question sounds like. In the process, we all become more self-conscious about the questions we're asking, which is probably a good thing!
In This Episode: 0:00 – Episode 30! 04:00 – Questioning Our Questions 06:00 – What's a Creed? 10:00 – Meet Matt Lee Anderson, blogging dinosaur and Christian ethicist 18:00 – The End of Our Exploring, Evangelical Doubt and Certainty 27:30 – Are there Dumb Questions? 37:00 – Doubt vs. Questioning 47:00 – What's a Bad Question? 59:00 – GIVEAWAY: What’s your favorite question from Pop Culture?
The StoryMen each choose five historical events that aren't movies yet... but should be. Hear our top fives, and share yours with us!
IN THIS EPISODE: 01:30 - Tattoos & Museums 07:30 - Football and Football 14:30 - Fourteen Historical Events that Should be Movies! 01:02:00 - CONTEST!!
After we hear from the Storyverse about what everyone's been reading, we welcome Ally Vesterfelt to talk about her new book, Packing Light.
In This Episode: 2:00 – Stories Populating the Storyverse this Summer 16:00 – Ask the StoryMen anything! 17:00 – Super-blogger Ally Vesterfelt 21:30 – Saying Yes to Adventure 35:00 – Does Jesus Hate My Stuff? 38:30 – You Can't Go Home Again 47:00 – GIVEAWAY: What's the craziest dream you've ever followed?
We wonder what it means to be be a Christian. How do you decide where the boundary markers are? From Hawaiian religion to Scientology to Islam and Mormonism to the Gospel Coalition, we ask some tough questions. And perhaps the toughest of all: does any of it really matter?
1:30 – The Boys are Back Together! 4:00 – Matt and Hawaiian Religion 11:00 – Gary Marshall and Giveaway Winner! 13:00 – Clay and the Church of Scientology 25:30 – Billy Corgan and Christian Rock 33:00 – Who's In? Who's Out? How do we tell? 50:30 – Piper, Keller, Lewis and MacDonald
Author, blogger and ironic mom Leanne Shirtliffe joins us to share stories of the hilarious things adults say when they deal with kids. Plus, JR. and Clay lament Matt's absence as we recount our summer travels.
In this Episode: 2:00 – Clay and Matt shaped holes, sun tans and BBQ 15:00 – Meet Ironic Mom Leanne Shirtliffe 21:00 – Can Lorie fire JR.?! 26:30 - Don't Lick the Mnivan! 34:30 - Kids in Church 46:00 – GIVEAWAY!!
Author Lorie Langdon joins the StoryMen to tell us about her new book, the contemporary young adult fairy tale DOON.
2:00 – Where's Clay? 4:00 – Lorie Langdon and Doon 8:00 – The journey toward Doon 16:00 – Teling a modern day fairy tale 21:00 – Can Lorie fire JR.?! 26:30 - The spirituality of Doon 33:00 - Gender in Doon 45:00 – GIVEAWAY!!
Jeff Goins joins us to talk about his new book The In-Between. Plus we dissect what exactly is wrong with Millennials these days. In this Episode: 0:00 – New StoryMen in the Storyverse! 9:30 – What's Wrong with Millennials?! 30:00 – Jeff Goins and The In-Between 43:00 – No pasa nada 1:00:00 – GIVEAWAY!!
The StoryMen review what we've been reading and watching, then dive into a discussion of worship spaces: who are they for? What do we do there?
0:00 – You Too! and Fruitvale Station 9:30 – What We've Been Reading 18:00 – Should You See Pacific Rim? 22:30 – What are Worship Spaces? 34:00 – The Language of our Liturgies 49:00 – The Holy Spirit in our Worship Spaces 56:00 - The Birthright Winner
Christy Blanch, professor of the SUPERMooc talks how she's innovating in the classroom using popculture and comics, plus what it's like to write for Thrillbent!
In this Episode: 0:00 – Where’s Matt? 4:00 – Meet Christy Blanch 10:00 – Using Comics to Teach 23:00 – The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood 38:00 – SuperMOOC: Teaching with Comics in the Digital World 47:00 – Teaching Gender with Comics
For the Seson 2 debut, the StoryMen welcome John W. Otte, author of the Failstate books. We talk superheroes, Christianity and what those award shows are like!
0:00 – Welcome to Season 2! 3:00 – Maybe we shouldn't be dorks 7:00 – Stories We're Working On 19:00 – Author John W. Otte and Life in the Twin Cities, and Geek-Dad-dom 24:00 - The World of Failstate 29:00 - Nominated for a Christy Award 40:00 - John Otte on Making Christian Art 49:00 - Win a copy of Failstate!
The StoryMen welcome comics legend Mark Waid to tell us how he tells stories. We talk Superman, his current work on Daredevil and Hulk, and how his site Thrillbent.com is changing the future of comics!
The StoryMen talk about what they loved about Man of Steel and how the film fell short of the Superman mythology.
In this Episode: 0:00 – StoryMen of Steel save the Cat 7:30 – What did we like about Man of Steel? 12:00 – Does Man of Steel work as a Superhero movie? 22:30 – Spoiling Man of Steel: Minor Characters, Lois, Ma and Pa Kent 32:00 – Is Man of Steel actually a Superman film? 49:00 – Where does Superman go next?
The StoryMen boldly go where no one has gone before. We talk our Trek pedigree, who our favorite captains are and rank the films. Then we spoil the newest installment, Into Darkness
In this Episode: 0:00 – Giveaways, Catchup and Espanol! 5:00 – Who's Your Captain? 16:00 – Favorite Trek Episode 21:00 – Star Trek, Politics and Culture 30:00 – Ranking the Trek Films 39:00 – SPOILERS for Into Darkness
The StoryMen take advantage of JR.'s return from the United Arab Emerites to share stories of journeys they've taken.
In this Episode: 0:00 - Welcome Back! Jetlag and catching up 2:00 - the United Arab Eremites, Jordan and Israel 11:45 - Worship Wars in Jerusalem 19:30 - Tales of Travel Horror! 28:00 - Flesh Gordon and the Chinese Train 43:00 - Goonies. Because WHY NOT?
The StoryMen welcome journalist and author Tom Krattenmaker to talk about his new book The Evangelicals You Don't Know. Tom is a self-proclaimed secular progressive who has a soft-spot for the new Evangelicals. We ask him how he navigates the no-man's land of the radical middle as he pioneers a new path of civil discourse characterized by mutual respect and friendship. You also have a chance to win a free copy of Tom's book!
In This Episode: 0:00 – Meet Tom Krattenmaker 4:45 – Engaging the Religious Other 11:00 - Focus on the Family and the Secular Confession Booth 17:00 - Living in the Radical Middle 26:00 - Evangelism: The Verdict that Demands Evidence 34:00 - Tom and Jesus 39:00 - The Oklahoma City Tornado 45:30 - Book Giveaway!
In honor of the first ever Christian Geek Podcast Tour, the StoryMen take on superheroes. In this episode, we take on the big, blue boyscout himself: Superman!
In this Episode: 0:00 - Welcome Back! and the Podcast Tour 5:30 - Origin Story: When we met Superman 17:00 - The Best Superman Comics 28:00 - Superman on TV 35:30 - Man of Steel and making a good Superman movie
The StoryMen welcome Brad Lomenick to discuss his new book The Catalyst Leader. We discuss the unique challenges that face young leaders.
0:00 - Catching up and Corrections 3:30 - Book: The Catalyst Leader 9:00 - Where do the StoryMen lead? 18:00 - Brad Lomineck 42:00 - The Four (or Seven) Horsemen 44:15 - Lays Potato Chips Redux 45:30 - The Jackie Kessler Drawing
The StoryMen discuss what it means to be a fan of something, and their inner Fanboys are revealed!
The StoryMen welcome author Jackie Morse Kessler to discuss her Riders of the Apocalypse series. Puns abound.
The StoryMen draw on their experience in the publishing industry to talk about what it takes to get published. SPOILER: it takes A LOT of work!
The StoryMen talk History Channel's The Bible, Lays' Potato Chips and what a Church of the People might look like.
The StoryMen welcome Julianna Baggott, author of the Pure trilogy to discuss her books, religion and apocalyptic worlds.
What counts as Good Christian art? As the son of bestselling Christian author Jerry Jenkins, Dallas Jenkins has pondered that question for many years. He shares his insights with the StoryMen
The StoryMen flounder as they try to find a theme for this episode. They settle on Megan Phelps leaving Westboro Baptist, the Pope leaving the Papacy, and end up on fasting.
The StoryMen welcome M. S. Corley, illustrator and graphic designer (and the talent behind the StoryMen look!) to talk about how we tell stories through art (and monsters, of course!)
The StoryMen discuss movie awards and what counts as Christian art. And while we're on the topic, how should Christians engage "unsavory" topics in art? What wouldn't Jesus watch?
The StoryMen discuss how they spent Christmas, what's coming up in the New Year, and the value of resolutions.
The StoryMen welcome special guest Tifah Phillips, lead singer & head honcho of Page CXVI and The Autumn Film. We talk all things Christmas!
The StoryMen welcome author and podcaster Jason Boyett to discuss all things Apocalypse! What's your favorite apocalyptic scenario? Best End of the World book or film? And why are we so obsessed with the End, anyway?
The StoryMen discuss the newest James Bond film SKYFALL, recently announced Star Wars Episode VII, and the controversy over Rachel Held Evans' "Year of Biblical Womanhood". They end up discussing the place of criticism in the Church, and what they're thankful for.