On this episode of the Faith and Pop Culture Podcast we break down the Pope's speech on the importance of cinema and examine the appearance of a PG-movie box-office takeover. Forrest Frank is back, speaking out against AI musician Solomon Ray who's songs have recently topped Christian music charts.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Intro 2:10 The Rise of PG Popularity 16:45 The Pope's Cinematic Speech 30:45 The Solomon Ray Query 50:45 Things Daniel Likes That You Should Like, Too

MENTIONS:

Wall Street Journal Article: https://www.wsj.com/business/media/wicked-zootopia-pg-movies-33f9d866?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfW8SemDQUB8Fqb-x5x-o9tk5uv1xM54_3JT5soMW0t23IEPpsQkMd57W_XZIg%3D&gaa_ts=692de76b&gaa_sig=BKN7XAWLXXefoImj5LMoIp59dTYxRcMjtHUdwkoSXsyb4IIkkyyyRFuC9gJSX1gGqy8upf99ngm6sgONr1wRZQ%3D%3D

NPR Segment: https://www.npr.org/2025/11/26/nx-s1-5619220/why-kids-are-leading-the-charge-back-to-movie-theatres

Pope Article: https://thecollision.org/pope-leo-xiv-urges-hollywood-filmmakers-to-make-cinema-an-art-of-the-spirit/

Solomon Ray Article: https://thecollision.org/soulful-or-soulless-ai-musician-solomon-ray-tops-christian-music-charts/

Forrest Post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRPzVIBgbZI/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=81210642-281d-484f-b570-398682efd6e8

Topher's response: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRQDI_ikUXe/

"I Got a Soul" song: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRX3PIHkY82/

Solomon Ray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solomonraysoul/

Movie Reviews: https://thecollision.org/category/review/

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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?

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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?

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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

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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

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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?

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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?

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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

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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

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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!

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