The Forefront core team discusses Nate’s latest blog entry, “No, All Art Is Not Political.”

00:07 - Introduction00:49 - Blog entry summary03:48 - Why do we feel the need to intertwine art and politics?07:07 - Understanding the purposes of art and politics09:00 - Is art a waste of time if it doesn’t send a good message?12:15 - Art that allows you to “just be”16:12 - What counts as a “clear, positive message”?19:33 - Are Christians equipped to receive art for art’s sake?27:43 - Hipsterism is the new Bohemianism33:30 - Is art ever really only for art’s sake?37:08 - Everything in its right place — art and political activism

This episode continues the series in which the latest entries on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Nate Mancini reads his new entry, "No, All Art Is Not Political." You can read the entry or leave a comment on ForefrontFestival.com/blog.

In this special episode, Forefront contributor Cody Schweickert interviews Dr. Benjamin Myers. Dr. Myers is a professor of literature and English at Oklahoma Baptist University and former Poet Laureate of Oklahoma. Topics include physical books vs digital books, the heresy of gnosticism and the value of particularity, and Dr. Myers' upcoming book of poetry, Black Sunday: The Dust Bowl Sonnets.

In this special episode, Forefront leader Rich Christman interviews Jason Barber about art, faith, and the necessity of civic engagement.

The whole Forefront team is here for episode 5.

00:07 - Introduction

00:52 - Rich shares Lenten meditations from Bread and Wine

08:13 - Cody reads a poem by John Bannister Tabb

11:36 - Zack has a new instrument!

17:35 - Josh recommends the work of Simon Stalenhag

22:46 - Nate discusses why a particular behind-the-scenes doc is a movie of its own

28:35 - The team interviews Cody about his new blog entry, An Infinite Aesthetic: Why the Gospel Never Gets Old.

This episode continues the series in which the latest entries on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Cody Schweickert reads his new entry, "An Infinite Aesthetic: Why the Gospel Never Gets Old." Read the entry or leave a comment on ForefrontFestival.com/blog.

Forefront collaborators Rich Christman, Josh Gastin, and Zack Osinski discuss The Importance of Age Diversity.

00:07 - Introduction

00:39 - Rich remembers Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

07:13 - Zack discovers Liz Vice (and a Christian song with groove)

12:50 - Josh discusses Five Knights Productions

18:38 - Josh and Zack interview Rich about his new blog post, The Importance of Age Diversity

46:30 - Zack recalls How It's Made: Christian Music

This episode continues the series in which the latest entries on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Rich Christman reads his new entry, "The Importance of Age Diversity: Reaching Out to the true Silent Majority." Read the entry or leave a comment on ForefrontFestival.com/blog.

The whole Forefront team is together for this packed episode.

00:08 - Introduction

00:50 - Nate reviews Ben Hur (2016)

04:01 - Josh discusses a new book by Jordan B. Peterson

08:44 - Zack mourns The Cranberries and praises The Welcome Wagon

13:50 - Cody looks forward to a new book by poet Benjamin Myers

19:23 - Rich analyzes a new visual trend on Instagram

30:12 - The team talks to Nate about his blog entry, How Movie Sequels Succeed or Fail at Character Arcs

55:14 - Closing

This episode begins a monthly series in which new posts on the Forefront blog are read aloud by their authors. In this episode, Forefront founder Nate Mancini reads his new blog entry, "How Movie Sequels Succeed or Fail at Character Arcs."