Forefront 360
135 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratingsThe team from Forefront Festival takes you around the intersection of the arts and the Christian faith.
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Episodes
Interview: Ilana Reimer
April 10, 2024 10:00 - 50 minutes - 93.9 MBCody talks to Ilana Reimer about faith, editing, and the arts. Ilana Reimer is the editor of Love Is Moving. She studied journalism at Algonquin College and has worked as a freelance journalist and book editor since 2015. Her essays, poetry, and articles have appeared in a number of publications including Ekstasis, Breaking Ground, Faith Today, and Mutuality. In 2022, she was named a Cardus NextGEN Fellow. Ilana is passionate about championing and equipping Christian creators, believing the...
Discussion: Dune Part Two
March 27, 2024 10:00 - 1 hour - 170 MBRich, Nate and Megan discuss the all-new film from director Denis Villeneuve, Dune Part Two. 02:47 - Spoiler-free reactions 23:23 - Spoilers begin 28:43 - Paul's character journey 34:30 - Faith & politics in Dune 48:57 - Questions & nitpicks 01:12:51 - Chani's character journey 01:19:47 - Closing thoughts
Discussion: How We Found the Arts
March 13, 2024 10:00 - 59 minutes - 110 MBCody, Zack & Gage discuss how they first became captivated by the arts.
Arts Review: Neutral Milk Hotel, Narnia in Turkish, Kings Kaleidoscope
February 21, 2024 10:00 - 32 minutes - 60.7 MBCody, Nate and Zack gather for an arts review, discussing the following: Neutral Milk Hotel, esp. The King of Carrot Flowers The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in Turkish Kings Kaleidoscope by Kings Kaleidoscope We also mention Zack's article on the Forefront blog, "Jesus etc."
Discussion: Does it really matter if we read the classics?
January 31, 2024 10:00 - 51 minutes - 97.1 MBThe Forefront crew gathers to discuss the classics: what are they, does it matter if we read them, and how do we read them well? Spoiler alert; here are the ones that made the draft list at the end: Pride and Prejudice Little Women Treasure Island The Grapes of Wrath The Lord of the Rings A Tale of Two Cities The Metamorphosis The Odyssey Things Fall Apart The Count of Monte Cristo Anna Karenina The Joy Luck Club The Great Gatsby Charlotte's Web The Adventures of Huckleberr...
Arts Review: Sacred Strides, The Bear, The Boy and the Heron, Maryann Corbett
January 19, 2024 10:00 - 40 minutes - 74.8 MBCody, Rich and Nate gather for the first arts review of the year to discuss: Sacred Strides book by Justin McRoberts The Bear TV series The Boy and the Heron film Memories in Old Age poem by Maryann Corbett
Interview: Hallow app feat. Taylor Buckley
December 13, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutes - 63.3 MBSince Advent is a perfect season to begin rhythms of prayer & meditation, today Rich talks to Taylor Buckley, Director of Influencer & Brand Marketing at Hallow. Hallow is a popular Christian prayer & meditation app. If you'd like to try Hallow free for 3 months: Hallow.com/Forefront
Discussion: The Chronicles of Narnia
November 29, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 178 MBRich, Cody, Nate, Zack, and special guest Lauren Lowin gather to discuss C.S. Lewis's beloved series, The Chronicles of Narnia. We cover what Narnia means to us personally, whether Narnia is for kids, whether we like the "allegorical" elements of the Chronicles, what adaptations we like and dislike, what we hope for the Netflix adaptations, and of course, our favorite passages from the books. We're doing it on this occasion because the podcast Pints with Jack has established C.S. Lewis's b...
Interview: Veronica McDonald
November 15, 2023 10:00 - 47 minutes - 87.7 MBCody talks with Veronica McDonald about the enjoyment of surprising stories, the beauty of the Gospel, and the challenges of running a literary journal. Veronica McDonald is a published fiction writer, poet, visual artist, and editor. She graduated from American University in Washington D.C. with an M.A. Degree in Literature, and has since accumulated a growing list of published work. In 2019, Veronica started a literary and art journal called Heart of Flesh, where she publishes Christian...
Arts Review: Anastasia Trusova, Hallow, Brother to Brother, Ordinary Ways
November 01, 2023 10:00 - 25 minutes - 46.9 MBNate, Rich and Dan discuss the art they've been experiencing recently: Anastasia Trusova's paintings The Hallow app Brother to Brother by Michael Card & John Michael Talbot Ordinary Ways by Jon Guerra
Discussion: Summer Movie Review 2023
October 11, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 151 MBNate, Rich and Dan give their takes on the summer blockbusters of 2023. We keep it free of major spoilers. 00:04:23 - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 00:12:46 - Across the Spider-Verse 00:20:25 - John Wick 4 00:26:28 - The Flash 00:31:44 - Asteroid City 00:34:06 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny 00:45:11 - Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning: Part One 00:49:55 - Barbie 01:02:38 - Oppenheimer
Discussion: AI Art (Part 2)
September 13, 2023 09:00 - 37 minutes - 70.1 MBThe Forefront crew continues and broadens their discussion about AI’s impact on the arts: How will widely accessible AI tools affect education? To what extent will AI displace jobs, and should we be concerned? Will using AI negatively affect our spiritual formation?
Discussion: AI Art (Part 1)
August 30, 2023 12:17 - 54 minutes - 102 MBThe Forefront crew discusses AI’s impact on the arts: Why has AI become so important recently? What are some positive use cases of new AI tools? What are our biggest concerns about the use of AI in the arts?
Interview: Dr. Karen Swallow Prior
August 17, 2023 11:35 - 1 hour - 114 MBRich Christman and guest host Houston Arledge interview Dr. Karen Swallow Prior about the ideas in her all-new book, The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis (Brazos, 2023). Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is a reader, writer, and professor. In addition to The Evangelical Imagination, she is the author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Brazos 2018); Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Re...
Interview: poet Chris Wheeler
July 19, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 115 MBHeather and Cody interview Chris Wheeler, a writer and poet rooted in Middlebury, IN. His nonfiction, liturgies, and poetry have been published in Barren, Fathom, Story Warren, Reformed Worship, Think Christian, Banner, and The Rabbit Room, among others. He published his first collection of poetry, Solace, in 2020. His second collection, Masks & Mirrors, came out in spring 2023.
Discussion: The Chosen TV Series
July 05, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 152 MBCody and Nate discuss The Chosen, the hit multi-season series about the life of Jesus, told from the perspective of His followers. Topics include: How The Chosen came to be Does it improve upon other recent Scripture-to-screen adaptations? Favorite scenes Is the show ever sacrilegious? Does The Chosen "bring Scripture to life"? Bonus nitpicks
Interview: Laura Reece Hogan
June 14, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBCody and Rich talk to Laura Reece Hogan. She is the author of Butterfly Nebula (Backwaters, University of Nebraska Press, forthcoming October 2023), winner of the Backwaters Prize in Poetry, Litany of Flights (Paraclete Press, 2020), winner of the Paraclete Poetry Prize, the chapbook O Garden-Dweller (Finishing Line Press, 2017), and the award-winning nonfiction spiritual theology book I Live, No Longer I (Wipf & Stock, 2017). She is one of ten poets featured in the anthology In a Strange L...
Interview: Live at A Night of Art with Josh & Zac Tiessen
May 24, 2023 10:00 - 39 minutes - 72.5 MBJennifer Greenman interviews Josh & Zac Tiessen, live at Forefront Festival's A Night of Art. They discuss questions of faith, conservation, artistic process, elitism, and dealing with success and failure.
Special: Event Preview with Josh & Zac Tiessen
April 19, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutes - 45.9 MBIn this special episode, Nate talks to artists Josh & Zac Tiessen about two upcoming events based on Josh's new painting series, Vanitas and Viriditas. Click below to learn more or get tickets. Grand Opening Exhibition at Rehs Contemporary in NYC, April 28 Forefront Festival: A Night of Art with Josh & Zac Tiessen in Rochester NY, May 4
Interview: James Matthew Wilson
April 05, 2023 10:00 - 45 minutes - 85.8 MBLive from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview Dr. James Matthew Wilson. James Matthew Wilson is Cullen Foundation Chair in English Literature and the Founding Director of the Master of Fine Arts program in Creative Writing, at the University of Saint Thomas, Houston. He is an award-winning scholar of philosophical-theology and literature, and he is a poet and critic of contemporary poetry. His work appears regularly in First Things, The Wall Stre...
Discussion: Art as a Hobby or Career?
March 22, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 129 MBCody, Rich, and Nate discuss how their career journeys intersected with the arts, and whether art is done best as a hobby or a career.
Interview: James K. A. Smith
March 01, 2023 10:00 - 50 minutes - 93.2 MBLive from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview James K. A. Smith. James K. A. Smith is professor of philosophy at Calvin University, where he holds the Gary & Henrietta Byker Chair in Applied Reformed Theology and Worldview. He is also the Editor in Chief of Image Journal. Trained as a philosopher with a focus on contemporary French thought, Smith has expanded on that scholarly platform to become an engaged public intellectual and cultural critic. ...
Interview: Paul J. Pastor
February 01, 2023 10:00 - 54 minutes - 102 MBLive from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview Paul J. Pastor. Paul J. Pastor is a poet, writer, and editor from Oregon. His work uncovers the inner life of the world, as experienced in nature, literature, and the rich traditions of historic Christian spirituality. Paul is the author of several books, including Bower Lodge: Poems, A Kids Book About God, The Listening Day series, and The Face of the Deep. His work has been widely published in many ...
Christmas Variety Show 2022 - Act II
December 21, 2022 10:00 - 57 minutes - 105 MBForefront Festival and the Why God Why Podcast continue the second annual Christmas Variety Show! Act II features these artists: The Kenaniah Project Kathryn Sullo The Houghton Choir Join us as we celebrate Christmas together.
Christmas Variety Show 2022 - Act I
December 16, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 128 MBForefront Festival and the Why God Why Podcast are back for the second annual Christmas Variety Show! Act I features these artists: M. Jerome Bell Sarah Collins The Houghton Choir Join us as we celebrate Christmas together.
Interview: Jared C. Wilson
November 30, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 74.9 MBNate sits down with author & pastor Jared C. Wilson (while Jared was in Rochester!) to discuss the art of pastoring, Jared's fiction novels (including a secret unpublished one), combat with snakes, and beyond. Jared C. Wilson is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Author in Residence at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, General Editor of For The Church (and host of the FTC Podcast), and a pastor and Director of The Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas...
Interview: Glenn Arbery
November 23, 2022 10:00 - 36 minutes - 43.5 MBLive from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview Dr. Glenn Arbery. Glenn Arbery is a teacher, writer, and novelist currently working as the president of Wyoming Catholic College. Some of his famous works include the oft taught Why Literature Matters; What is a Teacher; and his recent novel, Boundaries of Eden. He has successfully written journalistically, academically, and creatively for decades, to the glory of God.
Interview: poet Ryan Diaz on ”Skipping Stones”
November 16, 2022 10:00 - 59 minutes - 111 MBCody interviews Ryan Diaz, a writer and poet from Queens, NY, about his new book Skipping Stones. In Skipping Stones, Ryan writes about many things, long-dead saints, personal tragedy, everyday observations, and the nature of prayer. But what connects this collection is Ryan's desire for a transcendent experience. His vivid and story-driven poems create a secondary world for the reader to explore, worlds in which belief is possible and the divine looms large. For Ryan, "the Christian poet, ...
Interview: Gregory Wolfe
November 09, 2022 10:00 - 55 minutes - 103 MBLive from the 2022 Catholic Imagination Conference in Dallas, TX, Nate and Rich interview Gregory Wolfe. Gregory Wolfe is a writer, editor, publisher, and teacher. He has been a pioneer in the resurgence of interest in the relationship between art and religion. He is the founder & editor of Slant Books, which is an independent, not-for-profit literary press. In 1989, Wolfe founded Image, which Annie Dillard has called “one of the best journals on the planet.” Now one of America’s top liter...
Interview: Gage Forster
November 02, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 80.8 MBHeather and Rich talk to Gage Forster, a photographer living in Southern California with a unique penchant for travel. Gage takes us through the unique joys & challenges of being a freelancer who is focused on building relationships with people rather than simply gaining industry clout.
Discussion: The Rings of Power
October 19, 2022 13:19 - 1 hour - 223 MBRich, Nate and Megan discuss the new series from Amazon Prime Video, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. This is a long episode—but so are the best adventures. It is divided up into three "rings," so you can listen to different parts depending on how many spoilers you want. 00:02:44 Ring 1: General Reactions (Spoiler-Free) 00:38:41 Ring 2: Specific Reactions (Spoilers for Season 1) 00:43:21 The Harfoots & the Stranger 00:49:28 Galadriel, Halbrand and Numenor 01:20:43 The Southlan...
Discussion: Spirited Away
October 05, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBRich and Zack discuss Hayao Miyazaki's 2001 film, Spirited Away, including its depictions of beauty and its resonant themes. Film synopsis: During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
Interview: photographer Caroline Jensen
September 21, 2022 10:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBForefront podcast host Heather Morgigno talks to photographer Caroline Jensen. Caroline is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and a creative artist. While she adores making all sorts of photographic art, her biggest passion is guiding other people to success, whatever that may be. Caroline's images strive to always take one step out of reality, be that digital painting, moving photos (cinemagraphs, time-lapse, or stop-motion), or creative editing. Photography can be therapeutic in many ways, and m...
Interview: Andrew Nemr on Spiritual Formation for Artists
August 24, 2022 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBNate and Zack talk to tap dance artist & TED fellow Andrew Nemr about his all-new virtual course developed in partnership with Forefront, Spiritual Formation for Artists. As artists, we are always in the act of formation: crafting sentences, mixing colors, shaping sounds, cultivating audiences. But as we practice our disciplines, how are we being formed? Taught by Andrew Nemr, an internationally renowned tap dance artist & TED fellow, this course will consider the link between our art pract...
Breakout: Josh Tiessen on Becoming a Professional Artist
August 03, 2022 12:30 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBWe're excited to share this breakout session led by Josh Tiessen, recorded at Forefront Festival '22: Making New. It's called Becoming a Professional Artist while Keeping Your Faith (and Sanity!). Renowned painter Josh Tiessen shares the practical side of making an art career, from a Christian perspective. How do we regularly produce quality work? How do we network or market ourselves to have our work seen and appreciated by others? Josh does Q&A afterward and provides encouragement to aspir...
Discussion: Stranger Things
July 13, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBForefront podcasters Rich, Cody, and Heather, plus returning guest Dan Becker, discuss all things Stranger Things. Note: the first 20 minutes are spoiler-free, but spoilers abound after that. 02:19 - When Did You Start Watching Stranger Things? 05:59 - What Made Stranger Things Successful? 20:08 - Spoilers Begin / What Did You Think of Season 4? 28:14 - Should Everyone Watch Stranger Things? 34:56 - Biblical Themes in Stranger Things 01:02:09 - Favorite Character / Which Song Would You...
Interview: poet Sarah Collins
June 15, 2022 10:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBCody and Nate interview poet Sarah Collins about her new book, Recovery from Unusual Attitudes. Sarah Collins is a copywriter, poet, and emerging author. Sarah's writing style is fluid, flexing between different writer identities. And her work explores a variety of themes — faith, identity, emotions, nature, the mundane, the extraordinary. Her parents are from Jamaica, so she's proud of being a second-generation American. Her culture informs everything she does, from her creative expression...
Breakout: Timothy Leaven on Songwriting & Revision
June 01, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBWe're excited to share this breakout session led by Timothy Leaven, recorded at Forefront Festival '22: Making New. It's called Songwriting: Befriending Revision and Re-Writing Your Way to Better Lyrics. “Most strong songs are not written. They are re-written.” How does one press into the songwriting process after the initial spark has faded? How does one know when lyrics are developed enough? What tools are worth having in one’s back pocket while revising? Timothy Leaven will share from his...
Interview: Heather Morgigno
May 19, 2022 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBNate and Rich talk to nature photographer Heather Morgigno about how to take great bird photos, whether photography "counts" as an art form, and how photography can proclaim the glory of God. Would you like to be the next guest on Forefront 360? Just head over to the Get Involved page and fill out the short form.
Breakout: Joy Ike on Pollination in an Age of Politicization
May 04, 2022 10:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBWe're excited to share this breakout session led by Joy Ike, recorded at Forefront Festival '22: Making New. It's called The Birds & The Bees: Pollination in an Age of Politicization. In an era of political correctness, identity politics, and fear-based messaging, dealing in hope can feel daunting. What does cultural transformation look like in the middle of so much deterioration? If the Gospel is real and true, then surely there is a light at the end of this very long tunnel, right? Join Jo...
Discussion: The Stories that Never Die
April 20, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 47.5 MBCody, Rich and Nate talk about the stories that never die — the endless string of remakes, sequels and spinoffs that is occurring around each major sci-fi and fantasy property. This episode contains spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home. Outline: 2:02 Topic intro 4:42 What are the elements a story continuation really needs? 9:14 Spoiler-filled review of Spider-Man: No Way Home 22:51 Stories you never thought could happen 29:18 What is a story that has been continued that should not h...
Special: Joy Ike and Brian Ferris at Forefront ’22
April 06, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBForefront board member Zack Osinski moderates a special on-stage interview at Forefront Festival '22, featuring singer/songwriter Joy Ike and painter & actor Brian Ferris.
Interview: Jonathan Ogden
March 23, 2022 10:00 - 57 minutes - 39.2 MBForefront Chairman Rich Christman interviews musician Jonathan Ogden. From delicate acoustic songs to jazz and hip-hop infused pop, Jonathan crafts musical soundscapes that invite the listener on a journey. With a background in graphic design, he is passionate about exploring the intersection of visual art and music to form a complete experience. Describing his songs as ‘prayers set to music’ he expresses his faith through psalm-like lyrics and sweeping, melodic instrumentation. Following t...
Keynote: The Critical Calling of Artists in Times of Darkness
March 09, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBRev. Dr. David Kim delivers the opening keynote at Forefront Festival '22, titled The Critical Calling of Artists in Times of Darkness.
Special: Forefront Festival ’22 Preview
February 11, 2022 10:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBNate and Rich give a preview of what's happening at Forefront Festival '22: Making New. Join us in Rochester, NY on Feb 19 for a vibrant festival of faith and art. Learn More / Get Tickets
Interview: Timothy Leaven
February 01, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 52.5 MBNate talks to singer/songwriter Timothy Leaven about songwriting, sourdough, sadness, and more. Help crowdfund Tim's next album at kickstartleaven.com. Come see Tim (and many other incredible artists) at Forefront Festival 2022.
Forefront x WGW Christmas Variety Show, Act II
December 23, 2021 12:11 - 1 hour - 28.2 MBThe 2021 Christmas Variety Show hosted by Forefront Festival and Why God Why, recorded in front of a live studio audience, is back for a second & final act. In this Act: Music from Victoria Moore's jazz combo A non-fiction story from Kyle Navratil Music from Timothy Leaven Plus, conversations with the artists about why Christmas still gives us hope.
Forefront x WGW Christmas Variety Show, Act I
December 16, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 34.1 MBForefront Festival joins Why God Why for a special Christmas Variety Show, recorded in front of a live studio audience. In this Act: Music from The Noble Kind Music from Cottage Street Band Poetry from Ryan Diaz Music from Victoria Moore's jazz combo A short story from Cody Schweickert Plus, conversations with the artists about why Christmas still gives us hope.
Interview: Eva Ting
December 02, 2021 10:00 - 59 minutes - 27.4 MBRich and Nate interview Eva Ting. Eva is the Director of Events and Programming at W83 Ministry Center, the home of Redeemer West Side Church that also serves as a community and cultural center on the Upper West Side of New York City. Her interests lie in cultivating spaces for community engagement and designing art experiences and events that invite the public to participate in thoughtful conversations as well as thoughtful action. Prior to her work at W83, Eva was the Public Programs Coord...
Interview: Ryan Diaz
November 17, 2021 10:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBRich and Cody interview poet Ryan Diaz. Ryan Diaz is a writer, poet, and theologian from Queens, NY. He holds a BA in History from St. Johns University and is completing a MA in Biblical Studies. His writing has appeared in publications like Transcendentals, Dappled Things, Ekstasis, and Premier Christianity. His first poetry book, For Those Wandering Along the Way, debuted in 2021. Ryan’s poetic work seeks to find the divine in the ordinary, the thin place where the transcendent and the m...