Forefront 360

Today on the podcast, Cody interviews Riley Bounds.

Riley Bounds is Publisher and Editor in Chief of Solum Press. He holds an MA in philosophy from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University and a BA in creative writing from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is a poet and fiction writer. A 2021 Pushcart Prize nominee, his work has appeared in Christianity Today, The Windhover, Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry, Earth & Altar, Amethyst Review, and Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, among others. His debut chapbook, Hands of Years, was released by Kelsay Books in 2021. His nonfiction has appeared on Patheos. He teaches English writing at Biola University. 

Rich, Cody, Nate, and Megan gather to review The Odyssey, the new film by Christopher Nolan.

In this special crossover episode with the Understanding the Book of Daniel Podcast from Browncroft Community Church, Peter Englert joins podcast regulars Rich and Nate to discuss the literary qualities of the book of Daniel. 

Cody and Rich sit around the proverbial campfire and share some excellent poems.

Cody interviews writer Ryan Rickrode about poetry, stories, faith, and education. 

The end of the episode includes a scored excerpt from the beginning of Rickrode's newest book, The Mountains May Depart, a novel about grief, prayer, and forgiveness set in Missoula, Montana. Rickrode calls this a "scored" story because he's paired the passage with original music he wrote to accompany the text. At the start of The Mountains May Depart a year has passed since Dan and Sarah lost their young son in a car accident caused by Sarah. Sarah is thinking about leaving Dan, Dan is struggling to figure how he and Sarah can begin to reconnect. In this excerpt Sarah pretends to be asleep while Dan gets dressed to go jogging, then she gets out of bed and opens her prayer book. God feels distant but she prays anyway.

Cody, Nate and Megan discuss Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives Out mystery film by Rian Johnson, now streaming on Netflix.

Cody and Rich read & review Thank You, Ma'am, a short story by Langston Hughes. They explore the literary features and Christian themes in this moving story.

Today on Forefront 360, Cody interviews Matthew J. Andrews.

Matthew J. Andrews is primarily a poet, although he dabbles in prose. In his work, Matthew examines the intersection of the spiritual and the secular, the wrestling match between belief and doubt, and the challenges of practicing an ancient faith in a modern world. His writing also explores the many faces of the natural world and the sacredness of small moments, among other things. He is a native Californian now living in Central Iowa. 

When he is not writing, Matthew is a professional private investigator, a voracious reader, an amateur chef, a wannabe outdoorsman, a sometimes runner, a doting husband, and a competent father of two. 

Rich and Nate discuss some of the art they've been experiencing lately:

Dan, Rich, and Nate discuss the question "What is Christian music?" This kicks off the new series Forefront Sounds, a new show on the Forefront Podcast Network, in which music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. Through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.

We have the pilot episode of Forefront Sounds in the Forefront 360 feed today. To hear future episodes of Forefront Sounds, subscribe to the new show on your favorite podcast app.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forefront-sounds/id1841123765

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/44qQUdAuJOi9U2wZ1GFT2X