Renew the Arts Podcast

Michael is joined by songwriter and songwriting teacher Aryn Michelle to discuss both her new songwriting textbook, Play Shape Create, and her new album, Bloodline, set to release in July 2026.

Michael is joined by long-time friend and Renew the Arts Creative Director, Rusty Hein, for a different take on AI and related topics. LINKS Chatbot Thinks Upside-Down Cup is Prank Steve McDonald (artist who collaborates with AI) Elon Musk on AI surgeons Audiofeed Music Festival 2026 Porchlight Festival Save the Date!

Michael continues his exploration of AI, focusing on its impact on the arts and the hopeful conditions this could produce.

Michael explores the benefits and costs of technology and what that means for the coming crisis of adopting AI.

Michael answers an international mailbag full of great questions to close out 2025 on the Renew the Arts podcast.

Michael collects together the top five things he thinks churches should communicate to their artists.

Michael explains the popular dismissal of fiction and the imagination, and explores the edifying uses of fiction.

Michael compares and contrasts the great way that seeks first worldly prominence with the little way of the cross that seeks God’s kingdom.

Michael explores the way the true purpose of art is undermined when we make exploited art—art made subject to an agenda.

A generous sampling of the “Porchlight Mini-Conference on Hospitality” we held at Audiofeed Music Festival 2025 in Urbana, Illinois.

Michael is joined by biologist and worship songwriter Ciara Reyes-Ton to discuss the intersection of art, science, and faith.

Michael is joined by film-maker and YouTuber Houston Coley to discuss Coley’s feature documentary, A Kingdom of Tea and Strangers.

Chase Tremaine joins Michael to discuss how the advancements in technology over the last 100 years have impacted the arts, for good and ill.

Michael offers three word-pictures to help clarify an understanding of the arts in terms of flourishing and the blessed life.

In this mailbag episode for 2024, Michael answers questions ranging from magic in Harry Potter to Nativity scenes in your yard.

Michael discusses narcissism, why it seems so prevalent among artists, and how to address it in both individuals and communities.

An interview with Roy Sneed, a specialist who trains cross-cultural workers in the four uses of storytelling for missions and evangelism.

Michael discusses how the problem of fame affects patrons. He then explores some ways artists and patrons can address this problem of fame.

Michael explores the problem of fame, how the inequality of exposure among artists damages both popular and unknown artists.

Karen Swallow Prior joins Michael for a wide-ranging discussion on her book The Evangelical Imagination, and how it applies to the arts.

Michael is joined by Paul J. Pastor—poet, writer, editor—to discuss the value of poetry both in general and specific terms.

Michael is joined by Brian Brown, founder and executive director of the Anselm Society, to talk about the arts and communal meaning-making.

Michael explores why you need better taste and how to get it. This episode explores both the rationale and practice of developing good taste.

Justus Stout and Katy Martin join Michael for a ten-year Renew the Arts retrospective and a look at the opportunities ahead.

Ryanne Molinari joins Michael to discuss her forthcoming book on the relationship between the worship arts and the fruit of the Spirit.