Forefront 360

Interview: Paul J. Pastor

Live 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 fine outlets, including Books & Culture, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Windhover, Christianity Today, Fathom, Ekstasis, Solum Literary Press, and has been anthologized by The New York Quarterly Review.

Christmas Variety Show 2022 - Act II

Forefront 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

Forefront 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

Nate 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 to discuss the art of pastoring, Jared's fiction novels (including a secret unpublished one), combat with snakes, and beyond.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 City, Missouri. He is an award-winning author of over 20 books. Jared also co-hosts The Art of Pastoring Podcast published by Christianity Today.

Interview: Glenn Arbery

Live 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”

Cody 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, and storyteller as well, is like the blind man whom Christ touched," and poetry "an invitation to deeper and stranger visions."

Interview: Gregory Wolfe

Live 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 literary quarterlies, Image is a unique forum for the best writing and artwork that is informed by—or grapples with—religious faith. 

Interview: Gage Forster

Heather 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

Rich, 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 Southlands
  • 01:28:37 Elves and Dwarves
  • 01:37:07 Favorite Characters
  • 01:40:22 Favorite Scenes
• 01:51:02 Ring 3: Speculation on the Future of the Series
  • 01:57:35 Closing Thoughts

Discussion: Spirited Away

Rich 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.