The story is there are innumerable ways to categorize art and entertainment—by genre; by era; fiction or nonfiction; art created as propaganda, or art as escape—and over the course of our first season of Lightwise, we’ve touched on all of these, but we’ve tried to focus on stories that amplify light. At the end of each episode throughout this first season,  I’d ask our guests what films amplified light for them. Today we listen to what they had to say. 

This season we’ve visited with filmmakers, actors and comedians, activists and academics, and entrepreneurs. As you listen to what amplifies light for them, ask yourself what stories, in film, TV or other media amplify light for you, and as we look forward to seasons 2, ask yourself what would like to see or hear more of from Lightwise. Be sure to comment or send us a message at [email protected]. 

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Download the Angel app on your phone or streaming device and begin watching the content that inspires the podcast. You can also watch the Lightwise podcast at angel.com/lightwise.

The story is we know people often intentionally write or CREATE art for therapy, but how often are we CONSUMING art for therapeutic purposes—and is it effective? And how often are we unintentionally consuming messages, for better or worse, that alter our perspectives and therefore our experience? Today we discuss the realities and possibilities of cinema as therapy

Jonathan Decker is a licensed therapist. His friend and associate Alan Seawright is a filmmaker. Together they make up a dynamic duo that analyzes films from a psychological perspective, claiming “to make sense of life, one blockbuster at a time” with their YouTube channel called Cinema Therapy.

Check out Cinema Therapy on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@CinemaTherapyShow

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The story is good artists copy, but great artists steal. And now omputer systems are disrupting industries everywhere, doing things once believed only possible by humans: dealing with uncertainty; learning from experience; making predictions; interpreting language in complex, contextual ways. Even, perhaps especially, technology is now creating art—imitating (or stealing from?)the great creative geniuses—even in media as multifaceted as film.

Austin Craig is an American filmmaker, author and entrepreneur, and an expert in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. He is a compulsive early-adopter who dives face-first into anything new.  He is also a father, a husband (though not necessarily) in that order, and what some people have called an “all around good guy.”

To connect with Austin Craig, visit his website at https://www.austinmcraig.com/

Lightwise is produced by Angel Studios. To learn more and to check out light-amplifying content for free, visit https://www.angel.com/

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The story is every medium has its unique strengths: Sculpture is different from painting; poetry from prose; ballet from theater. One is not better than the other, but its unique characteristics make it suited for certain kinds of experiences, messages, or audiences. So what are the unique strengths of animated film, as opposed to, say, live action? Today we discuss: “The Peculiar Super Powers (and Weaknesses?) of Animation.”

J. Chris Wall is an American creator of kids-and-family, redemptive content. He is the executive producer and showrunner of Angel Studios’ animated series The Wingfeather Saga, based on the best-selling books of the same title. Before creating Shining Isle Productions in 2016 to develop and produce entertainment-first family content, Chris spent over a decade producing 16 movies for the popular VeggieTales franchise.

To watch The Wingfeather Saga for free, download the Angel App now or visit  angel.com/wingfeather

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The story is some films possess more than the power to entertain. Some start a movement or change lives.

Jaime Hernandez is a film producer whose most recent film Sound of Freedom was released by Angel Studios in July 2023.

Be sure to check out Sound of Freedom, still playing in select theaters. Go to angel.com/tickets now. 

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The story is there’s a difference between flawed, imperfect people and evil people. But is that a difference of degree or kind? And how do you tell stories that portray evil convincingly and in a way that doesn’t turn off audiences? Today, we discuss “The Challenges of Portraying Evil.”

Elijah Alexander is an American film and TV actor who has been in the business for nearly 30 years. He stars in the role of Atticus, a secret agent for Caesar, in “The Chosen”—Angel Studios’ hit show about the life of Jesus Christ.

Check out "The Chosen" on the Angel app and be sure to watch "Sound of Freedom" currently in select theaters.

Go to angel.com for more information. 

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The story is every once in a while a member of the human race achieves another level of Divinity. Whether they’re called saints, prophets, or popes, the Messiah or the Dalai Lama—they are revered by huge populations as being Holy—having the quality of Godliness. Forget about attaining that level of righteousness in our real lives, what about simply trying to capture the essence of these sacred figures as a story-teller or actor? Today, we discuss “The Challenges of Portraying Holiness.” This is part 1 of a two-part series. In a companion episode we discuss “The Challenges of Portraying Evil” so be sure to look for that, wherever you’re consuming this podcast. 

Nicolas Mouawad is a Lebanese film and TV actor who has starred in some of the most-watched and critically-acclaimed drama series in Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. And in 2019, he starred in his first English-speaking role, as the prophet Abraham, in the American feature film, “His Only Son” which was finally released by Angel Studios this year 

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The story is almost one third of the world’s population is Christian, nearly two-thirds of the US population, yet for decades now Hollywood has had an aversion to explicitly Christian films, leaving this audience under-served or suffering with sub-par productions. Why is that and what’s behind the recent resurrection of quality Christian content? 

Jon Erwin is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer known for such films as I Can Only Imagine and this year’s Jesus Revolution. Along with his brother Andrew he is a  co-founder of the Kingdom Story Company, which specializes in the production of Christian films.

Jon is also now an Executive Producer with Truth & Conviction, an inspiring true story which will capture one of the most powerful stories to come out of WWII. Driven by the Nazi arrest of his Jewish friend, a 16-year-old boy named Helmuth Hübener is compelled to take a stand. Joined by his two best mates, Karl and Rudi, Helmuth leads a brave resistance that propels them all the way to the highest court in Nazi Germany. Learn more at angel.com/truth.

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Be warned, what follows is important, but disturbing.

The story is human trafficking is a problem for other people in other countries, but the truth is it is a growing problem here in the United States, even as awareness increases. While the facts are horrific, there is hope for survivors, and there are things you can do. Today we discuss “Shining a Light on the Darkness of Human Trafficking.”

For almost 8 years now Jessica Mass has worked providing immediate and long-term care for victims after they are rescued from human trafficking by OUR, Operation Underground Railroad. In July this year, the film Sound of Freedom will be released, which tells the story of OUR’s founder Tim Ballard.

To find out more information on Operation Underground Railroad, visit their website 
https://ourrescue.org/

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The story is the film industry tells stories which support all matter of causes, yet there are some stories which they seem to steer away from, including the life of Christ, and on the other end of the spectrum, exposing the evils of human-trafficking. Yet brave people like actor Jim Caviezel have tackled both subjects. Today we discuss the “Quality of Courage in Film and in Life.”

Jim Caviezel is an American film and TV actor who has starred in hits such as “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “Passion of the Christ.” In 2022, he starred in Sound of Freedom as Timothy Ballard, the anti-human-trafficking activist credited with saving thousands of trafficking victims.  The film is currently in theaters.

To see the film currently sweeping the nation and shining a light on the atrocity of child sex trafficking, go to angel.com/tickets.

To learn how you can help the cause, visit the Operation Underground Railroad website. 

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Facebook: Lightwise Podcast

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Download the Angel app on your phone or streaming device and begin watching the content that inspires the podcast. You can also watch the Lightwise podcast at angel.com/lightwise.