Hard Faith Podcast

Hard Faith Podcast | Season 4, Episode 10 Be Afraid: Horror, Halloween & the Theology of Fear with Dr. Kutter Callaway Can horror movies actually strengthen our faith? And what if the Bible's command to "fear not" doesn't mean what we think it does? In this special Halloween season episode of the Hard Faith Podcast, filmmaker and Hard Faith founder Spencer Folmar welcomes Dr. Kutter Callaway, theologian, film critic, author, and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, for a fascinating conversation about horror films, Christianity, and the surprising spiritual value of being afraid. Kutter Callaway will also be joining us as a featured speaker and panelist at Hard Faith Film Festival NYC, December 4–5, 2026, in Manhattan! Join us for two days of independent cinema, conversations about faith and filmmaking, industry panels, and opportunities to connect with Christian creatives and storytellers. Learn more and get tickets at https://www.hardfaithfest.com. Callaway, who teaches at the intersection of theology, psychology, and culture and leads Brehm Film at Fuller Theological Seminary, is the author of the new book Be Afraid: What Horror Reveals About Facing the Darkness. Drawing from theology, psychology, and cinema, his book challenges Christians to reconsider their relationship with fear and explore how confronting darkness can lead to greater wisdom, compassion, and spiritual growth. In this episode, Spencer and Kutter explore Hollywood's horror renaissance, why audiences increasingly gravitate toward frightening stories, and whether horror films can help us confront the real-life trauma, suffering, and evil we would rather ignore. From The Exorcist and The Blair Witch Project to Sinners, The Substance, and even Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, their conversation examines how frightening stories can reveal profound truths about the human condition. They also discuss the dangers of glorifying violence, the importance of Christian discernment, and why Scripture itself refuses to sanitize the darkness of our fallen world. Perhaps most provocatively, Callaway suggests that the Christian life isn't necessarily about eliminating fear, but learning to fear rightly—redirecting our fears toward what truly matters and recognizing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The conversation concludes with a timely discussion about Halloween, Christian traditions, and how families can approach difficult subjects such as death, grief, and the supernatural without surrendering to fear. Learn more and connect: Hard Faith Film Festival NYC: https://www.hardfaithfest.com Kutter Callaway's book, Be Afraid: https://www.beafraidbook.com Kutter Callaway: https://www.kuttercallaway.com Hard Faith: https://www.hardfaith.com At Hard Faith, we believe life is hard, and God is good. Through honest storytelling and meaningful conversations, we're telling stories that liberate. Subscribe to the Hard Faith Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves film, faith, or a good scary story.

Hard Faith Podcast | Karen Covell: 25 Years of Prayer, Perseverance, and Bringing Hope to Hollywood What if the greatest way to change Hollywood isn't through criticism, boycotts, or better movies, but through prayer? And what happens when God calls you to a mission that even other Christians struggle to understand? In this episode of the Hard Faith Podcast, host Spencer Folmar sits down with his longtime friend and mentor Karen Covell, founder of the Hollywood Prayer Network, to celebrate 25 years of ministry, faith, and bringing the love of Jesus to the entertainment industry. What began as a small prayer gathering in Hollywood has grown into a worldwide movement, connecting thousands of Christian entertainment professionals and establishing more than 170 chapters across 40 countries. Karen shares the unlikely beginnings of Hollywood Prayer Network, the resistance she encountered from fellow Christians, and her conviction that the church should be praying for Hollywood rather than condemning it. Karen also opens up about her personal faith journey, including the college roommate whose prayers helped lead her to Jesus and the moment she discovered the transformative power of prayer. She reflects on the challenges of building a ministry from the ground up, navigating financial struggles, experiencing betrayal, and learning to persevere when God's calling leads through unexpected hardship. In a particularly personal moment, Spencer shares how Karen's encouragement helped sustain Hard Faith during one of its earliest and most difficult seasons. After his film Generational Sins faced intense criticism from Christian audiences, a simple phone call from Karen became a turning point in his filmmaking journey and the beginning of a friendship that has lasted more than a decade. Together, they explore the importance of authentic Christian storytelling, why faith-based filmmakers shouldn't be afraid to tackle difficult subjects, and how Christians can engage culture with compassion rather than fear. Above all, Karen reminds us that prayer isn't simply preparation for the work God has called us to do. Prayer is the work. Whether you're a filmmaker, artist, ministry leader, or someone struggling to trust God through unanswered prayers, this conversation is an invitation to keep showing up, keep loving people, and keep believing that God is working even when the road is difficult. At Hard Faith, we believe life is hard, and God is good. Connect with Karen Covell & Hollywood Prayer Network: Website: https://hollywoodprayernetwork.org Get Involved: Join a local chapter, become a prayer partner, or discover ways to pray for entertainment professionals around the world. Hollywood Prayer Network App: Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Learn More About Hard Faith: Website: https://hardfaith.org Join us for Hard Faith Fest NYC, December 4–5, 2026, as we continue bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences who believe in the power of storytelling to inspire hope and meaningful conversations about faith. Subscribe to the Hard Faith Podcast and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to keep pursuing their calling, even when the journey gets hard.

What does it mean to follow Jesus while pursuing a creative calling in one of the busiest cities in the world? And how do we hold on to faith when life takes us through seasons of depression, uncertainty, and struggle? In this episode of the Hard Faith Podcast, host Spencer Folmar sits down with filmmaker, writer, and producer Robert John Rivera Jr., creator and showrunner of The Chosen Ones, a faith-based superhero series inspired by the storytelling and pop culture of the 1990s and early 2000s. Born and raised in New York City, Robert shares his passion for bringing faith, culture, and storytelling together to create meaningful conversations about Jesus. As the NYC Chapter Director of the Hollywood Prayer Network and founder of the New York Christian Media Community, Robert is helping build connections among Christian artists and entertainment professionals throughout the city. Robert also opens up about one of the most difficult chapters of his life: his personal battle with depression. He reflects on how his relationship with Jesus sustained him through that season, what he learned about trusting God when healing doesn't come immediately, and why Christians shouldn't be afraid to talk honestly about mental health. Spencer and Robert also discuss the challenges of independent filmmaking, the development of The Chosen Ones, the importance of Christian community in the entertainment industry, and Robert's experience at Hard Faith Fest NYC, where his project received an award. Through it all, Robert reminds us that faith doesn't mean life will be easy, but that God remains present even in our darkest moments. At Hard Faith, we believe life is hard, and God is good. Connect with Robert John Rivera Jr.: Facebook: Robert John Rivera Jr. Instagram: @robertjohnrivera.jr Production Company: @robertjohnmediaproductions The Chosen Ones: https://www.thechosenonestvseries.com/ Learn More About Hard Faith: Website: https://hardfaith.org Join us for Hard Faith Fest NYC, December 4–5, 2026, as we continue bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences who believe in the power of storytelling to inspire hope and meaningful conversations about faith.

Hard Faith Podcast: Season 4 - Episode 7 "Recapping Wrapping the Trilogy with Spencer & McKenna" Spencer and McKenna Folmar sit down just two weeks after wrapping the Suicide Prevention Trilogy to look back on one of the most ambitious seasons in Hard Faith history: three feature films made in a single year, including two films shot back-to-back in just five weeks. They share the story behind The Days Are Evil, God Is Beautiful, and REST—from an idea Spencer carried for nearly 15 years to a trilogy exploring suicide, grief, depression, faith, family, and hope from three different perspectives. They also talk candidly about the emotional weight of the material, the prayer and support that surrounded the production, and their hope that these films will reach people who desperately need to know that their lives matter. Along the way, Spencer and McKenna take listeners behind the scenes of an extraordinary production: long days and sleepless nights, a cast and crew that became a family, community members opening their homes and businesses, McKenna feeding as many as 30–50 people while also producing and working on set, and countless people stepping outside their job descriptions to make the films possible. Now that all three films are finally in the can, Spencer and McKenna reflect on what it took to get there, the people who carried the mission alongside them, and what comes next for the Suicide Prevention Trilogy and Hard Faith.

Hard Faith Podcast: Season 4 - Episode 6 Marty Richards "Nickel on the Grass" 9/11 Best Screenplay at Hard Faith Fest NYC 2025 In Episode 6 of the Hard Faith Podcast, Spencer Folmar sits down with screenwriter and veteran fighter pilot Marty Richards, winner of Best Screenplay at Hard Faith Fest NYC 2025 for his first screenplay, Nickel on the Grass. Marty shares the remarkable true story behind the screenplay. On September 11, 2001, he was both a United Airlines pilot and an F-15 pilot in the Massachusetts Air National Guard. What began as a routine training mission became a scramble into the skies during the terrorist attacks. Marty ultimately spent hours over New York City helping intercept aircraft and stabilize American airspace. But his story is as much about what happened after September 11 as what happened that day. Marty opens up about the lasting toll of the experience, his struggle to understand and process what he had lived through, and how faith, family, surrender, and eventually writing helped lead him toward healing. His screenplay grew out of that journey and his participation in the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project. Twenty-five years after 9/11, Marty offers a deeply personal perspective on service, trauma, storytelling, and the importance of asking for help. It is a conversation about what happens when a warrior discovers that sometimes the hardest act isn’t fighting—it’s surrendering what you cannot control and trusting God with what comes next. www.HardFaith.org