Faith and Pop Culture

As a little bonus for this Thanksgiving, enjoy this conversation with a couple of the Smallbone brothers about life, music, and their newest documentary. FOR KING + COUNTRY: NO TURNING BACK is now available on Wonder Project's subscription channel on Prime Video in the U.S. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction  3:05 What sight do you believe young people have that turn them away from God's gaze? What do young people have their eyes fixed on instead of God?  4:42 When you look back at your footage from when you were kids, what is your biggest take away?  7:06 Was there a single moment in the season of rejections where you wondered if you misunderstood God's calling? And what pulled you back into believing that there was no turning back?  9:30 Proverbs 27:21 says, "A man is tested by his praise," so, how have you handled and how do you handle both praise and criticism?   11:18 Was there anything while putting together this documentary that you saw God weaving the story together that you'd never seen before?  13:53 When you reflect on your life, what's the biggest thing you understand about God now that you didn't at the beginning of your journey?  16:30 As you see how God has worked in your life, how does that come out in your music?  18:28 How has your relationship as brothers evolved through the highs and lows? How has your perspective on the importance of family relationships evolved?  21:02 What advice would you have for teens and preteens?  24:25 Would you be a part of an alternative super bowl? Have you been approached?  24:45 Over the 20 years you've been a band, what's a moment you can remember that was an undeniable God moment?  26:40 What hope do you see in a Jesus revolution and revival?  28:45 What's the value that you see in collaborating with other artists and are there more collaborations on the near horizon?  Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

To celebrate Thanksgiving week, we decided to post an extra special conversation! The Bensons' docu-series "Redemption" is now available on Wonder Project's subscription on Prime Video. Check it out now! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 0:25 What made you want to make "Redemption?" And why follow Ohio State?  1:45 How did you get involved in making this doc-series?  2:33 What was it like hearing about God's work in the community and all of a sudden being right in the middle of it? 4:00 How involved is the coaching staff in discipling their players? 5:00 What do sports, football in particular, teach us about God and His Kingdom? 6:25 What are some things while making this doc that didn't make it into the final cut? 8:35 Why do you think it is important to tell stories "that reveal God's hand at work in real lives and real moments"? 10:00 How did this project influence your own faith, both individually and as a couple? 11:25 What do you hope audiences take away from this series? Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Craig Detweiler is an author, cultural commentator, and dean of the College of Arts and Media at Grand Canyon University. He's part of the Faith and Media Initiative Coalition and his latest book, titled "Honest Creativity," talks about why AI will not replace human creatives. His contact and information is linked below.  Craig Detweiler's Instagram Craig Detweiler's Facebook Craig Detweiler's website and books Faith and Media Institute TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro to Craig Detweiler
 1:35 What is the Faith and Media Initiative and what is your role with this coalition? 4:00 What do you do to help push towards better representation of religious themes and characters? 6:25 How has working with FAMI impacted your Christian faith? 9:20 Why do you think there is a disconnect between Hollywood and religion/faith in general? 11:30 What makes you so optimistic about the current entertainment landscape from a Christian perspective? 15:55 How do you balance the tension between supporting Christian creatives if the art is not necessarily good? 19:15 Why do you think the quality of Christian films has gone up in recent years? 20:25 Christian as an Adjective 21:45 How would you define Christian film? 24:15 What do you see in how Hollywood is handling stories or faith through a secular lens? 28:00 Why do you think Hollywood is leaning more into religious characters and story? 31:25 How can we foster Christian creatives to a higher standard of creation? 33:25 How do you invest in the younger generation in a way that leads them towards making quality art regardless of what Hollywood is doing? 37:55 In the face of AI, what is the role of human creativity? 43:05 Things Craig likes that you should like, too Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

With guest Joseph Holmes, writer and director of Jim vs. the Future, his debut feature, we chat about the Christian worldview and imagination as well as how the roles Christian critics and filmmakers can come together to improve the faith-based film landscape. All that and more on episode 65 of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction  2:15 Jim vs the Future Elevator Pitch 5:05 What was it like approaching the filmmaking process as a culture critic? 10:40 How do you see the roles of Christian critics and Christian filmmakers come together? 14:45 Does art have to have a message? 22:20 Does art have to be beautiful? 26:15 What is the difference between a Christian imagination and a Christian worldview? 33:10 Where does beauty come in? 36:45 What does it mean to imagine Christianity? 43:10 Why do traditional Christian films appeal more to women and how can it change to draw in men as well? 53:50 Things Joseph Likes That You Should Like, Too  Jim vs. the Future is out and available to stream now! Check out Joseph's podcast at: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bagdh5GxLkpdWk7Q9h4yS?si=578be3b2a2654ac8  Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Check out Walker-Silverman's newest film, "Rebuilding," out November 14th, 2025! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction  0:30 What does rebuilding mean to you? 2:45 What makes Colorado so special? 4:55 What makes beauty in art so powerful? 7:50 What is the significance of the name "Dusty"? 10:05 Are there any lessons you've learned from making this film that have bled into your life now? 12:38 What do you hope audiences will take away from this film? Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Holmes's debut feature film is released today! Check out Jim vs. the Future here. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction  1:56 What was your inspiration behind "Jim vs. the Future"? 7:44 How did your faith influence the way you told this story? 17:20 What excites you about sci-fi and fiction genres in Christian filmmaking? 26:30 What do you hope people take away from Jim vs. the Future? Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

A so-called Christian horror movie is set to release next Friday. Two fall events within a month of each other, led by Gen Z influencers, encouraged Gen Z to get off of their phones and outside in their community. All that and more on episode 64 of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 1:45 Anti-Social Media Movement 10:50 Discussing "The Carpenter's Son" 23:40 Should Christians Watch Horror Movies? 43:45 Things Nyah Likes That You Should Like,Too Mentions: TIME TO REFUSE Anthpo's Channel Touch Grass Day John Chungus's Instagram Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

This week, we unpack the recent findings from this year's Teens and Screens survey and various arguments on whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween. All that and more on episode 62 of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 1:10 Teens and Screens Survey Findings 16:50 Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? 44:39 Things Daniel likes that You Should Like, Too Mentions: Teens and Screens Article Halloween History History of Halloween Forrest Frank Post Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

This week, we talk about Last Days, a biopic by Justin Lin about the 26-year-old Missionary, John Allen Chau, who was killed by the very people he was trying to minister to. Director Lin is not a Christian, so how should we view a film about a Christian whom many view as a martyr? There are three possible halftime shows for the Super Bowl in February, including an alternative Christian one. Does this put us in danger of isolating ourselves too much from the culture in which God placed us? All that and more on episode 61 of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction  1:07 Discussing "Last Days" 22:45 Halftime Show Controversies 44:04 Thing Nyah Likes That You Should Like, Too Mentions: Last Days Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18m3rC2mgE8  Bad Bunny Post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPKx6L6DFz2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Cory Asbury and Forrest Frank Post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPcgzdvAUlV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  Turning Point USA Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPl_GptEYqe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  All-American Halftime Show: https://www.americanhalftimeshow.com/  Back to the Future Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvsgGtivCgs  Last Days is out now! Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Forrest Frank won't be attending award shows anymore? How do we balance humility and excellence? What does the new free-to-stream show on YouTube, "The Promised Land" teach us about genre exploration in Christian movies? All that and more on episode 61 of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast!   TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction and Changes 2:00 Forrest Frank's Award Show Convictions 11:06 Humility vs. Excellence 19:31 "The Promised Land" Series 38:36 Things Daniel Likes That You Should Like, Too   Mentions: Forrest's original conviction statement: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPe3VVXgYwm/ Forrest Frank is excited to see his wife on the red carpet: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P-XgLmaHRTY "The Promised Land" Review: https://youtu.be/ju9_wd1lMP0 Mitch Hudson Interview: https://youtu.be/XPgNxzSi9BA   Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought!   FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Welcome the newest member of The Collision team, filmmaker and Georgia State Alum, Nyah Carlson. How do we engage in the arts as Christians? Is Tilly Norwood, the newest AI bot actress, a big PR stunt or a real threat to filmmaking? All that and more on Episode 60 of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast. To check out Micah Mondt's Music, click here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Ep14ABmGFV7mGiChEDBNH?si=vBeqvdA0STS1dEOfKGHmbw For more information on Nyah's films, click here: coolkidstables.com To read what our friend Nathan Clarkson wrote about AI art, click here: https://thecollision.org/new-market-for-authenticity-in-the-age-of-ai/ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introductions 2:20 Welcoming Nyah 4:50 Being a Christian in the Arts 17:50 Tilly Norwood, PR Stunt or Real Threat? 23:08 Thoughts About Tilly 44:09 What Nyah Likes That You Should Like, Too Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought!  FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Pastor Josh predicted the rapture to happen September 23-24, but we're still here? Was Nicolas Cage really in "Left Behind"? In light of recent events, should Christians engage with culture by trying to subtract from or add to the world? Erika Kirk's memorial speech created ripples of forgiveness. All this and more on episode 59 of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 3:14 The Rapture of 2025 and Its Cultural Implications 19:34 Addition or Subtraction: What Charlie Kirk's Memorial Showed Us 42:52 Things Daniel Likes That You Should Like, Too 45:22 Outro

Sam and Daniel are joined by Dr. Shannan Baker and Marc Jolicoeur from Worship Leader Research to talk about their work in the worship music industry, where popular worship songs come from, who's making them and what that means for the church. Find out more about WLR at https://worshipleaderresearch.com/ Links to some of the articles mentioned: https://worshipleaderresearch.com/100-of-the-top-25-worship-songs-are-associated-with-just-a-handful-of-megachurches/ https://worshipleaderresearch.com/since-2017-100-of-the-top-25-worship-songs-were-singles-so-what/ Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought of the movie! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

KPop Demon Hunters has become a full blown cultural phenomenon, is it the most Christian movie Hollywood has delivered? Cracker Barrel managed to rebrand then revert to the old brand all before we could finish our chicken and dumplings. The Wonder Project enters the streaming service, but should it? Nicholas Cage is featured in a new horror Jesus movie? All this and more on episode 57 of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 02:33 Cracker Barrel Re-ReBrands 17:25 KPop Demon Hunters: A Cultural Phenomenon 37:21 More Christian Entertainment 40:24 The Wonder Project Streaming Service 46:27 Nicholas Cage - Jesus Movie? 55:41 Things We Like That You Should Like Too 58:23 Conclusion Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought of the movie! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Is AI art bad? Will it kill creativity? Are there any upsides to AI? How should the church think about AI? We talk about all this and more on this week's episode with special guest Nathan Clarkson. Aside from contributing to thecollision.com Nathan is an author, actor, filmmaker, podcast and great human. Connect with him at www.nathanclarkson.me Read Nathan's piece on AI: https://thecollision.org/new-market-for-authenticity-in-the-age-of-ai/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 02:34 What is Nathan Clarkson Up To Lately? 06:09 What is the Promise of AI in the Arts? 13:58 What Concerns You About AI? 29:41 The Role of AI in Art 43:51 Authenticity in the Church in the Age of AI 51:33 Things We Like That You Should Like Too 56:01 Conclusion  Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought of the movie! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Taylor Swift announces her 12th album, Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ get's a double sequel, Christian Music is breaking Records on the Billboard Charts, Gal Gadot blames politics for Snow White failure. All this and more on this week's episode of Faith and Pop Culture. Interview with Natalie Mejia: https://youtu.be/w_tR81yEhYw Full video on Christian Music Breaking Billboard Records: https://youtu.be/sxaNLdbzSjQ  TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Taylor Swift Announces 12th Album 17:16 Natalie Mejia 20:12 Gal Gadot Blames Politics for Snow White Bomb 32:58 The Sequel(s) of 'The Passion of the Christ' 42:50 Christian Music's Mainstream Breakthrough 54:22 Things We Like That You Should Like Too 57:01 Conclusion Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought of the movie! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

We talk with conductor and filmmaker Jackson Allred about his debut film, Harmony of Freedom, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act through the unique lens of Music. How does an orchestra director end up becoming a film director for his final project? What was the process like directing a film? All this and more on this week's episode of Faith and Pop Culture. Connect with Jackson & stay updated on the film here: https://www.jacksonallred.com/harmony-of-freedom TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 01:52 How Did You Get To Where You Are Today? 11:03 How Did Harmony of Freedom Come to Be? 21:51 What Do You Hope People Take Away From This Film? 27:48 Can You Share Some About The Composer Margaret Bonds? 37:45 Where Can People Watch The Film? 40:13 What's Next for You? 44:17 Are There Plans to Release an Album of Music from Harmony of Freedom? 46:30 Things We Like That You Should Like Too 50:04 Conclusion Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought of the movie! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi

Are we too obsessed with the box-office numbers? Is Sketch from Angel Studios a new template for faith-based movies to follow? Are AI disclaimers at the end of movie credits actually doing anything? All this and more on this week's episode of Faith and Pop Culture. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 02:05 RIP Hulk Hogan 08:24 The Impact of AI in Entertainment 19:15 Sketch: A New Template for Faith-Based Films? 33:35 The Box Office Obsession 45:55 Things We Like That You Should Like Too 49:59 Conclusion The Bad Guys 2 Review: https://youtu.be/F2Nj6ig57Do Sketch Review: https://youtu.be/AsLSL0gvQRU Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought of the movie!  FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi  

Chip and Joanna Gaines draw heat from their christian base for normalizing same-sex parents in their new reality TV show. Coldplay is so much more than a band now. All this and more on this episode of Faith and Pop Culture. Check out the roundtable with Lifetime's leading Actresses in their summer series of faith-forward movies: https://youtu.be/dWogndQZBpo TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction  10:09 Superman and Smurfs Catchup 22:41 Lifetime Faith Actors Roundtable 26:24 The Chip and Joanna Gaines Controversy 46:55 Things We Like That You Should Like Too 50:11 Conclusion Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought of the movie! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi  

Today we chat with author, script writer, speaker and professor Sean Gaffney on things ranging from the differences in theater vs. movies, the need for christian story tellers in our culture and his new book Meta Story: What Marvel & The Messiah Can Teach Us About Storytelling. All this and more on this week's episode of Faith and Pop Culture. Connect with Sean here: https://gaffneyinkwell.com/ Buy his new book here: https://gaffneyinkwell.com/buythebook/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Sean Gaffney's Journey in Storytelling 06:15 The Transition from Theater to Film 15:46 Exploring the Book: Storytelling and the Gospel 27:23 Finding God in Stories 34:12 The Future of Christian Storytelling 36:51 The Power of Storytelling in History 39:44 The Role of the Church in Storytelling 42:44 Hollywood and the Church: A Complex Relationship 50:44 Engaging with Culture Through Storytelling 01:03:15 Things We Like That You Should Like Too 01:06:50 Conclusion Make sure to subscribe to the channel, like the video, and jump into the comments section to let us know what you thought of the movie! FOLLOW US: www.thecollision.org X @DanielBlackaby Facebook.com/thecollisionbmi