Laurie Krieg (née Hekman) joins the hosts of Return to Gilead to relive her memories of playing Brooke Morrison for all twelve seasons of Down Gilead Lane. Laurie shares her experience acting with a dogpile of little kids (including Chris Blair), contrasts between Beth Culp and the other writers and directors, how her lives on and off the show continue to intersect, and much more!

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

On Austin Peachey’s third of three guest episodes, the podcasting crew reviews the first Easter special of Down Gilead Lane, episode 29 (S-4): “Dressed for Sacrifice.” Highlighted in this review are the many contrasts between the Morrisons and Richters, whether this or the first special is the better episode, Maya’s first scenes as a Christian, and how the theme of sacrifice is woven throughout the story. Plus, a discussion of who actually introduced Michael to Gilead.

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver, Ryan Matlock, and Austin Peachey

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

Michael and Ryan’s reviews of the special episodes of Down Gilead Lane continue with episode 28 (S-3): “The Girl Who Assumed Too Much.” Is DGL’s second Bible story actually biblical? Do Haley and Naaman really show prejudice? And what does speech and debate have to do with anything? Plus, some time-traveling feedback on the beach from Austin!

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

It’s Christmas in the summer this time on the podcast as Ryan, Michael, and Austin review the second special episode of Down Gilead Lane, 27 (S-2): “From Mary, with Love.” Each reviewer shares his own thoughts on how the story was different but relatable, whether Brooke’s narration was too much, and how Brooke develops emotionally outside the Bible story. Plus, some feedback from Brendon and Samuel!

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver, Ryan Matlock, and Austin Peachey

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

Today, we invite one of the original fans of Down Gilead Lane onto the podcast! Austin Peachey (The AIO Blogcast, Odyssey Geek) joins Michael and Ryan to review the first Thanksgiving special, episode 26 (S-1): “Peas and Thank You.” The three avid hosts discuss the different emotional pulls of the episode, Ben Taylor’s first appearance, and a shared disgust at peas and cheese. Plus, a clip of a review Austin wrote for the SWDGL in 2010!

This episode of Return to Gilead is dedicated to the memory of Will Gray.

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Special thanks: Daniel Gray and Dave Brown

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

For the final part of the Down Gilead Lane Season 2 finale, Hannah Matlock joins again to look back on another set of thought-provoking episodes. Hannah, Ryan, and Michael talk about some of the same themes as in the last two episodes from Hannah’s perspective, along with a discussion of the culmination of Maya Richter’s journey to salvation.

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver, Ryan Matlock, and Hannah Matlock

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

For this bonus segment, a couple lines from the second part of the Season 2 finale review just couldn’t seem to come out right. So, naturally, they’re here for you to enjoy! Plus, Ryan getting ambushed by another arthropod, and a random discussion about when April Fool’s Day 2023 is.

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

Last time, Ryan and Michael covered the positives of the Down Gilead Lane Season 2 finale. In the second part of the review, we turn to a few negatives: the lack of story and strange messaging of Justin’s plot in “Theories,” and the ongoing question of Grace’s prerogatives in “Connections.”

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

We’ve reached the finale of Season 2! This podcast starts the first of three parts of a discussion of three episodes of Down Gilead Lane – episode 23 (2-10): “The List,” episode 24 (2-11): “Theories,” and episode 25 (2-12): “Connections.” To start off this long review, Michael and Ryan highlight some of the better moments from the episodes, such as the tasteful introduction of the Richter parents, how Michael Morrison’s competitive spirit makes an excellent theme, and the meaning of Jesus’ parables on finding the lost. Also, a lot of version differences!

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

References abound! In this podcast, Michael and Ryan have a blast reviewing episode 22 (2-9) of Down Gilead Lane, “The Giving Spree.” The two co-hosts talk about intersecting and likeable characters and storylines, contrasts between this episode and a show on Odyssey, using the word “superfluous,” and the economics of Grace’s lemonade stand.

Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead

Credits

Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock

Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver

Music post-production: Israel Ownbey

Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett

Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.