The Fascinating Podcast

Jake Kerr returns to the StoryMen to tell us why he started his own publishing house.

The StoryMen finally welcome Tom Fuerst to the podcast. Tom tells us why we should be fascinated by Jesus' genealogy. Then we dive into the story of Tamar, where Tom explains how righteous prostitution works. Plus a giveaway!

The StoryMen welcome Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan to talk about Good Christian Sex, the subject of her new book. Why are the Church's conversations about sexuality so confused? How can we move toward a holy conversation about sex and sexuality? Plus a giveaway!

The StoryMen welcome author and self-proclaimed Wild One Shannon Wilson. After comparing travel notes with Matt, Shannon tells us who these Wild Ones are. Why hasn't the Church embraced them? And how can the Church do better at making space for Wild Ones?

Dr. Emily Friedman joins us to put our geek credentials to shame, then share about her work in the history of smell. Why is something so essential to understanding our world so easily ignored?

The StoryMen revisit their Summer Movie predictions and inquire as to why the movies of 2016 have been so disappointing, overall. PLUS, what have we been reading lately?

In honor of Matt's new superhero novel, CAPEVILLE, the StoryMen welcome author John Otte to help us interview Matt. Get the scoop on his new book, and enter for a chance to win!

The StoryMen return for season 7 with best-selling author Ben H. Winters. Ben gives us the scoop on his new book Underground Airlines, a thriller set in an alternate history where slavery was never outlawed in the United States. We talk religion, race and inhabiting a world nearly as terrifying as the one Ben created... our own!

The StoryMen welcome pastor and author Curtis Tucker to discuss SHAME in the Church. Why have our churches become such shame-factories? And how can revisiting our picture of God help restore our sense of the good news that God did not create us to be ashamed?

Producer Erik Lokkesmoe of Different Drummer productions joins us to talk making films about faith. We talk about his newest film, LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT. A provocative movie imagining Jesus' temptations in the wilderness, this movie spoke to all of us. Come behind the scenes of this breathtaking movie!

Author and all around good guy Jason Boyett was our first ever guest on StoryMen, and now he's back for episode 132 to talk about his new book on Greek Mythology. Plus Matt and JR. face off in a Pop Mythology Trivia Battle. It's The Greek vs. The Beard in a titanic quiz clash.

Joshua Ryan Butler returns to the StoryMen to talk about the spiritual sequel to The Skeletons in God's Closet. Joshua takes us into The Pursuing God to discover a fresh vision of a relentless, loving God. PLUS: we discuss whether Jesus could have sinned or not!

Summer Movies are upon us! After we review Civil War, we wonder if any of the upcoming Summer films can unseat it from #1 at the box office. We also predict what will be the biggest box office flop, and talk about the films we're most excited for.

Latifah Phillips returns to the StoryMen to spill the beans on her new solo project Moda Spira. She tells us what it's like to work as an independent musician, and what's next for Moda Spira.

Ever thought about starting your own podcast? The StoryMen welcome 4th StoryMan Aaron Kretzman back to the other side of the mic, as well as StoryFan and podcastor Rick Reynolds. We talk about the ins and outs of getting a podcast started, and list some of our personal favorites.

Guest co-host Paul Asay returns to the StoryMen to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day. How did World War II change the trajectory of American Religion? How are we still living with the consequences - both good and bad - of the religious response to WWII?

Film critic Alissa Wilkinson tells the StoryMen why the recent spate pop culture apocalypses are good news for people of faith. Along the way, we talk about Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Walking Dead and more!

Author Tex Thompson tells us about her Wild West fantasy series Children of the Drought. How does an author write multiple races responsibly, and how to employ magic users while avoiding the "magical native" trope.

The StoryMen welcome back geek guru Leia Calderon to discuss the record-setting Batman v Superman. Since none of us particularly enjoyed the film, we talk about what didn't work, and why. Plus, why won't Matt see the film?

In honor of Flannery O'Conner's 91st birthday and Good Friday, we welcome Dr. Tim Basselin and fan-favorite Emily Maynard to discuss why O'Conner is one of the great American authors, her distinctive Christian voice and a particularly appropriate Good Friday story, "Parker's Back".

Our annual March Madness Pop Culture Bracket playoff is on. How do the biggest names, events and artifacts from the last year of pop culture fare when pitted against each other? Listen up to find out, and cast your votes in the final four round!

We struggle to balance strength and weakness in our lives. Is it better to be authoritative or vulnerable? Andy Crouch returns to the podcast to suggest we're approaching the question all wrong. Andy offers a new paradigm: to flourish we must be both strong and weak. What does that look like? Listen in.

The StoryMen welcome Dr. John Wilsey to take on American Exceptionalism. Wilsey argues that while American Exceptionalism often leads to idolatry, it doesn't have to, When is exceptionalism idolatry and when does it encourage the common good?

Scott Derrickson recently suggested that revenge films may be the signature of America's spiritual sickness. The StoryMen welcome back Emily Maynard to talk revenge - could it really inform an exploration of America's spiritual condition?

Gene Luen Yang returns to the StoryMen to tell us about his groundbreaking run on Superman! How do you go about telling a new story about an 80-year old character? And how is Superman an immigration story? Plus: Gene explains his amazing new role as the Ambassador of Young People's Literature for the Library of Congress.