In Reel Talk, we take movies that matter and discuss what makes them true, good, and beautiful, or false! We uncover the way the stories on the silver screen shape us and how we can think more deeply about the movies we watch.

In this episode, we tackle the Christmas classic from 1947, The Bishop's Wife. This story follows an ambitious bishop and his disenchanted wife who have grown distant from each other and require the help of an unconventional angelic visit to rediscover what's important. What does this movie show us about reviving belief in cynical people? How does this story remind us of what is most important? Where do even well meaning people go wrong in the pursuit of a meaningful life? Watch the movie with your family and then join the conversation!

The modern world gives us a set of assumptions about reality: matter is all there is, nothing has meaning, the spiritual is an illusion. But every year at Christmas, people rebel against this stuffy worldview with Santa Claus, carol singing, and a feeling that miracles can still happen.

What if Christianity offers a better vision of reality that makes sense of this hunger for an enchanted world? How are we seeing people already give up on the modern view of a "dead material universe"? How can Christians cast a vision for a "re-spiritualized" view of the world? Welcome to the conversation!

In this holiday episode, we look back to the past to see some of the historical roots of the Thanksgiving holiday. We look at the early life of the Plymouth pilgrims as well as the more general practice of Thanksgiving holidays that has permeated American life.

What can we learn about gratitude, courage, faithfulness, and endurance from these pioneer saints of the past? What lessons can we draw from the harsh world they encountered and overcame? What world were they fleeing and seeking for their children? How can we embrace a more meaningful Thanksgiving today in light of the past? Welcome to the conversation.

As Christians recover from election season, and a no-doubt contentious election day, we look at the landscape for Christians moving forward. What kind of world might Christians wake up to post-election? How have the rules of engagement changed as we seek to reach and change the culture for Christ? What new obstacles and opportunities are presented to Christians based on the administrations that take office? What Christian faithfulness is timeless and timely regardless of who is in office? Welcome to the conversation.

In this Book Nook mini series, we dive into the great fantasy series by J.R.R. Tolkien. We are tackling it book by book so each episode will cover half a paperback volume. Journey with us through one of the greatest works of Christian imagination in a century that is all the more relevant today.

Today, we reach the end of all things in the final installment of our Lord of the Rings series! We follow Frodo and Sam as they take their burden to the bitter end. What does this story tell us about the fate of evil, and how evil is ultimately destroyed? What roles can simple people play in pushing back the darkness? What costs come from facing down evil? When the evil follows us home, as it does the hobbits, how can we take back our own homes based on the lessons we have learned on this adventure? Join the journey with us!

In this Book Nook mini series, we dive into the great fantasy series by J.R.R. Tolkien. We are tackling it book by book so each episode will cover half a paperback volume. Journey with us through one of the greatest works of Christian imagination in a century that is all the more relevant today.

Part five covers the first half of The Return of the King. We return to our heroes defending the world of men from the invading forces of darkness. We get to see the contrast between those who fight in hope and those who give in to despair. We contrast Faramir's courage with his father Denethor's hopelessness. We get to watch Theoden's final stand and even see how two hobbits can take up important roles in the battle of the age. What can we learn about hope and courage from the acts of these characters? What does real hope look like when things get darkest? 

Join the journey with us!

This is a conversation about the men we want but can't seem to find. Courageous, competent, and filled with conviction. Is God's man an outlaw in a world that objects to him, an endangered species in a world that can't seem to produce him, or is he merely waiting to be called up to engage a world that desperately needs him? Welcome to "The Wanted Man".

This episode will tackle the roles that men in particular need to play in society. What happens when men take their God-given design and roles seriously? How should Christian men think about violence and their role as protectors in society? How would Christian manhood change about business and leadership? What manly virtues should Christians champion in society? What steps can Christian men start to take toward making an impact in the world around them? Welcome to the conversation.

In this Book Nook mini series we dive into the great fantasy series by J.R.R. Tolkien. We are tackling it book by book so each episode will cover half a paperback volume. Journey with us through one of the greatest works of Christian imagination in a century that is all the more relevant today.

Part Three covers the second half of The Two Towers. We rejoin Frodo and Sam as they join forces with their slinking pursuer Gollum. Tolkien draws some revealing parallels in this section. What do we learn about true service from the contrast between Sam and Gollum? What can we discover about true leadership from the contrast between Boromir and Faramir? What role can true Christian friendship play in overcoming evil? Join the journey with us!

This is a conversation about the men we want but can't seem to find. Courageous, competent, and filled with conviction. Is God's man an outlaw in a world that objects to him, an endangered species in a world that can't seem to produce him, or is he merely waiting to be called up to engage a world that desperately needs him? Welcome to "The Wanted Man".

This episode will tackle the problem of masculinity in the church. The stats tell us that women are much more likely to be active in church in the west than men. Why are men avoiding church? Do men the problem, or does the church share some of the blame? How might our current way of doing church make it more difficult and less likely for men to worship, connect, belong, and contribute? What can churches do to course correct? Welcome to the conversation.

In this Book Nook mini series we dive into the great fantasy series by J.R.R. Tolkien. We are tackling it book by book so each episode will cover half a paperback volume. Journey with us through one of the greatest works of Christian imagination in a century that is all the more relevant today.
Part Three covers the first half of The Two Towers. We follow Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli as they pursue their hobbit friends captured by the orcs of Isengard. We meet the Riders of Rohan and their aging King Theoden as well as their treacherous enemy, the Wizard Sauruman. How can we make right choices when all seems stacked against us and nothing is certain? What shows wisdom to be a deception? What does it look like to push back despair in favor of hope? Join the journey with us!