Forefront 360

Forefront Podcast Director Cody Schweickert talks to Peter Englert, the Adult Ministries Director at Browncroft Community Church. Peter co-hosts the Why God Why Podcast, which explores the questions that matter most in people lives — often the questions people do not feel safe to ask in church.  In this episode, Cody and Peter discuss what it means to look at the Bible as literature instead of as a purely descriptive or scientific text. If the Bible is art, how does that change how we read it, and how will it change our relationship with God?

Rich, Nate, Zack and Dan discuss what they've been creating recently. Subscribe to Forefront 360 in your favorite podcast app so you don't miss future episodes, and be sure to join the conversation on Instagram!

Forefront board member Zack Osinski talks to percussionist Josh Graham about music, church, racial reconciliation, and the joys and challenges of life as a musician.

The Christmans and the Mancinis review "A Week Away," Netflix's new musical set at a Christian camp.

Rich Christman interviews painter Misato Pang. Born and raised in Hong Kong to Japanese and Chinese parents, Misato migrated to the United States during late adolescence. Up until recently, she lived in New York City and relocated to St. Louis in the past year. Misato's works overlap personal narrative and cultural events, some of which allude to current social phenomenon and political discourse in Asia. She has participated in various residencies and exhibitions in the United States and Japan. Her most recent solo exhibition, "Breakdown", was a two-part exhibition that guides viewers through phases of the artist's creative process using verbal and visual languages. The synthesis of visual and auditory cues recreate spaces and moments in time, hence inviting the viewers to reflect and enter these intimate spaces that happened in isolation and solitude. We invite you to enjoy this multi-layered conversation about faith, artistry, and identity.

Cody and Rich review Justin Bieber's new (explicitly Christian) EP "Freedom."

Rich, Cody, and special guest Aaron Lowin discuss whether video games count as "art."

“You can walk on water if you are painting it.”  Forefront leaders Nate Mancini and Rich Christman had the opportunity to speak with renowned artist Makoto Fujimura about the intersection of art and faith. In this far-reaching conversation, they talk about Mako’s routines & practices, his slow process of creation, how artists can bring God’s abundance to a world of scarcity, and ultimately, how Christ is deeply present in our experiences of darkness & trauma.  As a special bonus, we conclude with some audience questions from artists like singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken and tap dancer Andrew Nemr. Makoto Fujimura (b. 1960, Boston) is a leading contemporary artist whose process driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”.  Fujimura’s art has been featured widely in galleries and museums around the world, and is collected by notable collections including The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, The Hunting

In this new arts review episode: Nate reads a passage from East of Eden by John Steinbeck Zack discusses music by Brenna MacCrimmon and Selim Sesler Rich reviews "Shore" by Fleet Foxes  

Cody, Rich and Nate review Pixar's latest film, "Soul." What were the best moments? Was the film overstuffed? What does it try to "say" about the spiritual realm, and do those ideas align with a Christian worldview? And finally, what are the top 5 Pixar films of all time?

Zack talks to Victoria Moore about all things music therapy — what it is, why it works, and how it integrates with her faith and life experience.

The Forefront team gathers to review Christopher Nolan's new film "Tenet" as well as reflect on Nolan's entire filmography.  0:00 - introduction 3:15 - thoughts on the theatrical experience 14:23 - spoiler review of Tenet 44:42 - Nolan's filmography

At Forefront Festival: Virtual, Dr. Benjamin Myers ran a breakout on "incarnational diction" in writing and poetry. In this special episode, listen to the audio from the breakout followed by a discussion by the Forefront Festival team.

The Forefront team — along with special guest Chris Widmer — gathers to discuss the question "Should Christians watch Tarantino movies?" Along the way they consider what sorts of objectionable content are acceptable, whether Tarantino movies have a sense of justice, and to what extent morality is objective vs subjective...and of course, they rank their favorite Quentin Tarantino movies and sequences.

The Forefront team gathers for a new arts review. Nate reviews the book Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson Rich reviews the TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender Cody talks about the song The Cross by Prince (found on the Spiritual Songs playlist by Josh Garrels)

The Forefront team gathers to discuss the art they've been experiencing recently: Abbey on Turtledoves Sean on C.S. Lewis's The Discarded Image Zack on Jonathan Ogden Rich on Montell Fish Nate on The Chosen Cody on Leif Enger's Virgil Wander

In this special episode, the Forefront team gives a preview of all the artists and sessions happening at Forefront Festival: Virtual. The event is Friday, August 7 at 7pm EDT.   Register here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/forefront-festival-inc/summer-2020/forefront-festival-virtual

Zack Osinski talks to singer/songwriter Joy Ike about how music became her vocation, work vs rest, how her faith journey led to a heart for the world, and how to be an artist during a pandemic.

In this special interview episode, Zack Osinski talks to Delvyn Case. Del is a composer, conductor, performer, and educator who is committed to exploring the power of music to impact communities. Learn more about Del: http://delvyn-case.squarespace.com Register for Forefront Festival: Virtual today to gain access to special breakout session with Del.

Cody and Nate interview Ted Kluck. Ted teaches journalism at Union University in Jackson, TN. For the past fifteen years, he has been professionally writing articles, books, and screenplays. He's also the host of The Happy Rant podcast. 02:29 - Lightning Round questions 24:36 - Writing 40:59 - Movie Producing 48:25 - Christianity and the Arts