Following The Chosen

Key Takeaways:

• "The Chosen in the Wild" is a captivating series that blends nature and faith, featuring the cast of "The Chosen" led by Bear Grylls.
• The series offers new insights into the lives of the cast, taking them out of controlled environments and into the unpredictability of the wilderness.
• Bear Grylls, known for his survival skills, uses this platform to discuss personal faith journeys with each actor.
• The show underscores Grylls' dedication to portraying faith as a dynamic element, influential beyond traditional settings.
• Bear Grylls has also authored "The Greatest Story Ever Told," highlighting his commitment to sharing the story of Jesus.

Notable Quotes:

• "Bear Grylls is quite a fan of the show, and so 'The Chosen in the Wild' is very much his passion project." - Laura Bennett
• "We get to see their vulnerabilities. We get to see them when they're not the ones in charge." - Laura Bennett
• "Faith and our relationship with Jesus isn't something that has to exist within the confines of church." - Laura Bennett
• "Last year he released a book, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told.'" - Laura Bennett
• "Now is the time to talk about faith, but also to make the point that…it doesn't have to be this sort of stuffy religious thing." - Laura Bennett

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Season 6 of "The Chosen" introduces emotional and dynamic scenes, particularly focusing on the disciples after Jesus' arrest.
• Matthias, who gains significant attention in the scene, might be a key figure as he replaces Judas among Jesus' followers.
• The scene uniquely blends seriousness and humor, reflecting the complex emotions of Jesus’ followers during a tumultuous time.
• Nicodemus makes a notable mention, suggesting his return or influence might play a role in the new season.
• Matthew's leadership is highlighted, foreshadowing his prominence in the disciples' plans and interactions.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's all about an unexpected visitor."
• "Matthias becomes the guy who replaces Judas."
• "The women followers of Jesus are out there… the blokes are in hiding."
• "The Chosen so often focuses on not Jesus, but the followers of Jesus and their reaction to what is happening to him."
• "Did you like it? Did you not like it? Did you want more?"

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Season six of "The Chosen" is expected to delve deeply into the emotions surrounding Jesus' crucifixion, offering a unique and intense exploration of this biblical event.
• The trailer's somber tone sets this season apart, preparing audiences for a portrayal of grief and loss as experienced by Jesus' disciples and followers.
• The series' approach to storytelling remains innovative, likely incorporating Old Testament prophecies and character backstories alongside the present narrative.
• Music will play a significant role in enhancing the narrative, with contributions from artists like Tyler Hubbard who have been inspired by the series.
• "The Chosen" continues to humanize historical figures, fostering a deeper connection and understanding for its audience, influencing both personal faith and broader cultural expressions.

Notable Quotes:

• "This is the moment where it gets real, you know, because we're suddenly realizing that the lead up to Jesus' crucifixion … is finally arriving." – Laura Bennett
• "Even for someone who has known this all their life … seeing it depicted may actually land in a different way." – Ben McEachen
• "We are going to see the disciples watch one of their best friends get murdered. Right. That is what is happening in this season." – Laura Bennett
• "A major studio is releasing a television series not just about Jesus, but about the death and the resurrection of Jesus." – Ben McEachen
• "Watch it almost as a disciplined experience, like, let this affect me." – Laura Bennett

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 1 available April 7

The New Christian is a podcast for anyone exploring faith — asking big questions about who God is, who Jesus is, and what it really means to call yourself a Christian.

Hosted by Chris Jolly, Drive announcer on Hope 1032 and a relatively new Christian himself, this podcast follows a journey of discovery as Chris sits down with seasoned Christian leaders, mentors, and thinkers to explore the foundations of faith.

Season One covers questions like:

Who is God?

Who is Jesus?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Why church? Why prayer? Why does evil exist?

Even… how do you read the Bible?

Each episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation designed for the curious, the seeker, the new believer — and even the lifelong Christian wanting to go deeper.

No jargon. No assumptions. Just real questions, trusted voices, and a growing faith.

Whether you’re exploring Christianity for the first time or rediscovering it, you’re invited to learn alongside Chris — one conversation at a time.

Because some questions don’t have quick answers… but they’re worth asking.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hope1032.com.au/podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

INTRODUCING UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett

When the afternoon slump starts to hit, Laura’s fun and quirky personality provide just the lift you need. And getting the kids home has never been more enjoyable – putting the ‘pick me up’ in the afternoon pick up – with this entertaining show that’s safe for young ears to listen to.

 

Our guest today is Australian actor George Xanthis, who plays John on 'The Chosen', the global hit series about the life of Jesus and his disciples. The next season is one the biggest as they face the crucifixion of Christ and in this episode, George not only talks about that, but about how a local Sydney boy got this gig, pressure to be a religious icon and how his spirituality has evolved during filming. 

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About the Guest:

Brandon Robbins is a dynamic Pastor and YouTuber with a deep passion for exploring and teaching the stories of Jesus and his disciples. He has been an enthusiastic follower of the Chosen series, dedicated to analysing and expanding on its theological and historical themes. Brandon is the author of "The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus," a book that dives deeper into the Chosen's episodes to enrich the understanding of Jesus's teachings. He is known for his insightful and engaging content that resonates with both the religious and mainstream audiences alike.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chosen series integrates modern entertainment with historical depth, providing a riveting portrayal of Jesus and his disciples.
• Understanding Jewish customs enriches the viewing experience, making connections with scripture more profound and insightful.
• The unique storytelling framework of the Chosen prioritises human experiences, drawing deeper personal connections to the events.
• Significant aspects of Christian spirituality, such as prayer and understanding scripture, are explored in depth to enhance spiritual transformation.
• The Chosen generates a community-driven movement, expanding biblical narratives into other media forms and platforms, fostering a global conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• "It focuses not just on telling the story of Jesus, but really telling the story of Jesus through the eyes of his disciples." – Brandon Robbins
• "Jewish people could do that with the whole Bible. And so when you see something quoted in Scripture… everybody knew what that meant." – Brandon Robbins
• “It was just beautiful to watch her eyes as she viewed Jesus in this way that is even different than what she experiences in church." – Brandon Robbins
• “The Chosen has been all about connecting with people. And that is what has caused them to just be evangelistic about it." – Brandon Robbins
• “When you can put that sort of stuff into a story and understand how it relates to people now, you'll see people dig into scriptures that nobody's ever really touched before.” – Brandon Robbins

Resources:

• Brandon Robbins's Book: The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• "The Promised Land" cleverly balances humor and deep theological themes to explore humanity's relationship with the divine.
• Leadership and forgiveness are central themes as Moses navigates his own pride and responsibilities.
• The series finale emphasizes the importance of community and collective worship in experiencing God's presence.
• Human imperfection, explored through characters like Bezalel and Aaron, underscores the message that God seeks obedience, not perfection.
• The show's ability to intertwine Old Testament stories with modern television genres opens new avenues for understanding biblical narratives.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The big finale to the big finale is worshipping God. And I'm kind of down with that." — Laura Bennett
2. "When you experience God's presence, there is a response. There can be nothing other than some kind of response." — Ben McEachen
3. "God doesn't want perfection. He wants obedience. And it's more that. It's more the heart attitude than the actual thing you're presenting." — Laura Bennett
4. "I liked how God came to the fore in the final couple of minutes." — Laura Bennett
5. "You can understand as a human who knows they're unworthy in front of God." — Ben McEachen

 

Laura Bennett hosts Hope Afternoons in Sydney, Australia, and UNDISTRACTED podcast. Laura has reviewed TV and movies for Hope 1032 for more than a decade.

Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings in Sydney, Australia, and co-hosts Money: Faith and Finance. Ben has reviewed TV and movies for Empire, News Ltd and Hope 1032.

Have you heard of The Watchlist? Catch this amazing podcast here!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About the Guest

Shereen Khan is an accomplished actress best known for her role as Miriam in the hit series "The Promised Land." With a background in studio executive positions, Khan has transitioned into acting while maintaining a strong influence in the entertainment industry. Her portrayal of Miriam has been lauded for its depth and nuance, capturing the complexity of a revered biblical figure while bringing a fresh comedic angle to the story. Her career showcases her versatility and innovative approach to storytelling, making her a celebrated figure in both acting and production circles.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovative Storytelling: "The Promised Land" offers a fresh comedic take on biblical tales, blending reverence with humor to explore human stories within extraordinary events.
• Growth of Faith-Based Content: There is a rising demand for high-quality productions that engage audiences through innovative storytelling while respecting scriptural origins.
• Miriam's Leadership Journey: Shereen Khan highlights Miriam's development from an introverted character to a community leader, finding her voice and tackling leadership challenges.
• Female Empowerment: The show captures the nuances of female leadership in a patriarchal society, offering insights into standing up for oneself and others.
• Communal and Personal Worship: The series' finale exemplifies how communal worship and personal devotion can coexist, showing God’s presence in community.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It is unexpected to take a beloved biblical story… and create a self-reflexive comedy out of it." – Shereen Khan
2. "Miriam is sometimes the most intelligent person in the room, fiercely passionate not only in her faith but in her music." – Shereen Khan
3. "With newfound gifts comes a lot of responsibility… handle that gift well and gracefully." – Shereen Khan
4. "The takeaway here is listening is one of those things… it's really step one in good leadership." – Shereen Khan
5. "God wants your devotion to be open and communal as much as anything else." – Shereen Khan

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the humorous yet enriching portrayals of Chisisi and Qualipatra character dynamics and how they enliven the narrative.
• Explore the evolving role of women in "The Promised Land," exemplified by Miriam and Zipporah's storyline, highlighting gender equality in spiritual contexts.
• Unpack the implications of the comedic subplot involving Joseph's bones and its significance within the broader storyline.
• Analyze the modern parallels drawn with ancient narratives, focusing on community and small group discussions that mirror today's Bible study groups.
• Reflect on leadership themes as showcased through Moses' interactions with Aaron, emphasizing humility and self-awareness.

Notable Quotes:

1. "You went straight for the guy from Egypt and his quail." – Ben McEachen
2. "The more you know the law and what is right you can point out when other people are getting it so wrong." – Laura Bennett
3. "An impersonation of a bloke. Very nicely done on a lot of bloke isms, mansplaining and that kind of stuff." – Ben McEachen
4. "The need for humility in leadership, I think, was the core leadership message within this particular episode." – Laura Bennett
5. "It feels like they began that in this episode…this sounds like the birth of a life group right here, right now.” – Laura Bennett

 

Laura Bennett hosts Hope Afternoons in Sydney, Australia, and UNDISTRACTED podcast. Laura has reviewed TV and movies for Hope 1032 for more than a decade.

Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings in Sydney, Australia, and co-hosts Money: Faith and Finance. Ben has reviewed TV and movies for Empire, News Ltd and Hope 1032.

Have you heard of The Watchlist? Catch this amazing podcast here!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• The Promised Land cleverly balances humor and deep theological themes, making Old Testament stories engaging for modern viewers.
• The dynamic between Moses and Bezalel offers profound insights into themes of redemption, worthiness, and divine calling.
• There's an underlying commentary on the simplicity of faith—emphasizing love for God and others as central to biblical messages.
• The interactions among characters like Joshua, Caleb, and Aaron add lightness and relatable dynamics reminiscent of workplace scenarios.
• The show effectively transforms nuanced biblical stories into poignant, teaching moments for contemporary audiences.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's not about being worthy… but about being faithful." — Ben McEachen on the conversation between Moses and Bezalel.
• "The Promised Land gives context for scripture, helping us understand why details matter and bringing the Old Testament to life." — Laura Bennett
• "Caleb asks, 'Is this for the Lord?' That's so key—it reminds us why we're doing what we're doing." — Ben McEachen
• "The humor of the Promised Land is in the detail of these big instructions." — Laura Bennett
• "The life of following God is really simple, but we've overcomplicated it." — Laura Bennett

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.