We are very happy to welcome our friend Brett McCracken back for his fourth appearance on The Substance (and his third Malick film)! Brett is a longtime film critic, the Senior Editor for Arts & Culture at The Gospel Coalition, an author of 4 books currently, and a pastor at his Church in Brea CA. Terrence Malick surprised and delighted film lovers in 1998 with The Thin Red Line for many reasons, in large part because he had not made a film in 20 years. What he delivered was beautiful, medit...
Mar 06, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 91
This week we are excited to share our conversation with Corey Nathan of the Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other podcast. To everyone's delight, we did get into politics and religion and did not, in fact, kill each other. Corey shares his conversion testimony, talks about his relationship with Ravi Zacharias & RZIM and how he's processed things in the last couple of years, as well as living well with and loving the people in our lives with whom we do not see eye to eye ...
Feb 27, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 90
Felicia Song is an author, Westmont College professor, and cultural sociologist who studies the place of digital technologies in contemporary life. Having trained in History, Communication Studies and Sociology from Yale, Northwestern, and University of Virginia, her research is oriented around the rapidly evolving digital technology industry and how the adoption of social media and digital devices fundamentally alters the landscapes of family, community, and organizational life. This week she j...
Feb 20, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 89
Surprise! We're excited and honored to share a very special feed drop with you all today! You may remember Phillip Holmes from our great conversation in Episode 70 where we talked about Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., what people get wrong about them, and the importance of properly understanding power dynamics. He also cofounded The Witness (formerly The Reformed African American Network) with past guest Jemar Tisby, was an original host of their podcast Pass The Mic , where he met his won...
Feb 16, 2022•41 min
We love being positive on The Substance but we had some heavy thing on our hearts that we cover on this week's show. Longtime Christian rapper Phanatik (Brady Goodwin Jr.) recently has denounced the faith and we wanted to both look at his specific situation as well as consider the group of former leaders who have publicly left the faith over the last several years and see what we can learn from it and how we can best respond. That topic leads unfortunately well into our second one, Christian lam...
Feb 13, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Jemar Tisby is a historian of race and religion with an emphasis on Christianity in the Black Power era, the New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise & How To Fight Racism, president and co-founder of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, and co-host of the podcast, Pass The Mic. We pray that this episode challenges and encourages you as you work on developing your own ARC of racial justice! Not a Social Justice Podcast Playlist Jemar's Substance Shoutouts: Harry Pot...
Feb 06, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 87
We are very excited to bring you a fantastic (extra long) conversation with hip hop artist, author, and activist Propaganda. We talk Hood Politics, the 10 year anniversary of his controversial track Precious Puritans, and all things Terraform. This was a blast and we are excited to hear what you think (especially about our final tangent about cussing). Enjoy! Shoutouts: Reggae artists Capleton & Barrington Levy Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller Follow Prop: https://www.prophiphop.com/ Buy ...
Jan 30, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Season 2Ep. 86
We talked about spiritual leaders and divorce a few weeks ago and we thought it would be good to zoom out and talk more broadly about what the Bible has to say about the qualifications of pastors, teachers, etc. in the Church. What did God say were the important characteristics of a healthy leader and do they match what we typically think of as a good leader? Give it a listen and join the conversation on the website or social media! Related Substance Episodes 82: Can A Divorced Person Be A Pasto...
Jan 23, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 85
The timing on this show is funny because we recorded this almost exactly a month and a half ago and the clip of John MacArthur's remarks on religious freedom has just gone viral a but this week on Christian Twitter. We promise we're not chasing trends, rather just trying to address and discuss important theological and practical matters of the day. Jeremiah 29:5 Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce. 1 Peter 1:17 And if you address as Father the one who impartiall...
Jan 16, 2022•57 min•Season 2Ep. 84
The first Matrix movie was released in March of 1999 and was an instant sensation. Movies, and in many ways our culture at large, would be forever changed. Two weeks ago, 18 years after the last Matrix film we had, the fourth installment, The Matrix Resurrections, premiered theatrically and on HBO Max. Returning guest, Eugene Park, joins us as we dive back down the rabbit hole! Reactions from both fans and critics has been split on this film (much like the second and third films in the series), ...
Jan 09, 2022•1 hr 40 min•Season 2Ep. 83
In October, the Rise & Fall of Mars Hill podcast had a story about a faithful church-planting pastor who lived his life in obscurity. His ministry had started off rocky because he graduated seminary at the same time that his wife left and divorced him for someone else. Today the guys consider the standards set for elders and church leaders, especially with regard to divorce. We work out our thoughts somewhat live in conversation as we weigh the need for character and upholding standards of i...
Jan 02, 2022•57 min•Season 2Ep. 82
It's been another wild year but if you're here listening (and reading) we're grateful to have you with us! We hope you have a nice end of the year and that 2022 is filled with grace and growth! Favorites: Kyle Strobel ( Ep. 66) Hot Dog/Stumbling Blocks (51) Systemic Racism (40) Deconstruction (68) Kaitlyn Schiess (46) Barnabas Piper (38) Eugene Park (62) Phillip Holmes (70) Books: Reading While Black The Liturgy of Politics When Thoughts And Prayers Aren't Enough https://www.amazon.com/When-Thou...
Dec 26, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone! Last year we had a wonderful time talking about the 2019 adaptation of Little Women (with the incredibly talented Alissa Wilkinson) . This year we're going back to the early 2000s and talking about the Will Ferrell Christmas classic, Elf (2003). Join us as we talk about what made us laugh, why we still love it after so many annual viewings, and what the film has to say about genuine, selfless love in a modern & efficient world. IVP Holiday Book ...
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 80
Here at The Substance we love engaging with the folks who listen actively and have things to say. This week we're engaging with two topics brought to our attention by a listener email. One is on the lighter side, though there's some definite substance to it, and the second is extremely important and touches on some of the justice topics we've been addressing for quite a while. Interestingly, both deal with the things people want to believe. Give it a listen and let us know what you think! Incept...
Dec 12, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 79
Few podcasts in the Christian space (if any) have had the impact that The Rise And Fall Of Mars Hill has had. While it might be easy to look at the podcast and think that it's something in the vein of a celebrity gossip show, a closer look will show that it's about a broken culture in Western Evangelicalism. We recorded this a while back (about when half of the episodes were out) but the themes don't really change as the show goes on and we're pleased to unintentionally coincide with the final e...
Dec 05, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 78
If you've been a listener for any amount of time, you know that we love and support what The And Campaign is all about. Purposeful political and civic engagement from a faithful biblical perspective (as opposed to having our social priorities dictated by the Democrat or Republican Party) is a thing that all of our communities could use more of, and we are grateful to have The And Campaign being a leader in this space. We are also very grateful to have gotten some time with Justin Giboney, one of...
Nov 28, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 77
There aren't a whole lot of Thanksgiving films out there but we decided to keep the themed Substantive Cinema shows going this year (last month we covered The Thing for Halloween Listen Here! and we're likely to cover a Christmas themed movie next month). Planes, Trains, and Automobiles was an immediate hit when it was released in 1987 and it has endured as a Thanksgiving classic. It's a classic odd couple road comedy. Steve Martin & John Candy star as unlikely (and sometimes unwilling) trav...
Nov 21, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 76
The world and societies that most of us find ourselves living in is not one that was constructed in order for everyone to flourish. The reasons for this are complex but the fact is that from our jobs to parenting to making friends to growing spiritually, this world is not the ideal environment for us to do the things that are most natural to our humanity. Alan Noble engages this reality in his new book "You Are Not Your Own: Belonging To God In An Inhuman World." Enjoy the show and join on the c...
Nov 14, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 75
We've all been a bit tired lately so this may not be our sharpest episode but we had fun and hope you do to. If you'd like to send us a question or topic suggestion for a future Topic Toss Up (or any sort of show) be sure to let us know in the comments on our new website or send us an email. Enjoy and we'll see you next week! Substance Shoutouts: Vincent- SiR "You Ain't Ready" Trevor- Foundation Philip- AND Campaign Kansas City IG Page Follow Us: ** Website ** Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube ...
Nov 07, 2021•59 min•Season 2Ep. 74
Happy Halloween, everyone! Themed Substantive Cinema shows are always fun to do, and doubly so when we get to release a show on the actual holiday/event we're tying in with. This year we're covering John Carpenter's 1982 classic The Thing. Widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time, The Thing is also a subversively substantive movie. It deals with themes of suspicion and paranoia, self preservation vs. the good of humanity, and to a degree, the question of what it means to b...
Oct 31, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 73
Welcome back to another Substance Pod episode! We're glad you chose to join us this week. This week, we talk on the subject of spiritual gifts. We've brushed the topic before in previous episodes however, Trevor and Vince wanted to take it a bit deeper. Take a listen to the open and free flowing conversation. Leave a thumbs up on YT and comment your thoughts on this episode at thesubstancepod.com. Trevor Shoutout - JK-47 @official_jk47 JK-47 Single "Healing" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpHYM...
Oct 24, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 72
This week we're joined by longtime friend of the podcast, Alexis Busetti. We connected with Alexis around our relaunch and really appreciate her consistency and focus on restorative justice. She's put out over 100 weekly episodes with some incredible guests (a number of whom you've heard on our show as well) and has a helpful perspective on encouraging folks in their journey of understanding God's heart for justice. Enjoy and be sure to comment on the episode post on our new website! Shoutouts: ...
Oct 17, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 71
When people think about Malcolm X they are likely to have strong feelings one way or the other, whether or not they are familiar with his life and writing. Phillip Holmes is our guest this week and he and his longtime friend, rapper and pastor Taelor Gray, have set out to examine the words and life of Malcolm X from a Christian perspective and to set the record straight a bit. We had a wonderful time with him (which is reflected in the episode length) and we hope you enjoy this conversation as m...
Oct 10, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 70
A real nice episode for y'all today: Mental Health in the Black community Favorite Passages: 2 Timothy 2:1-7; Jude 1:3; Mark 4:35-41 Inerrancy Shoutouts: Philip: The Big Picture (Ringer Podcast) on Siskel & Ebert Vince: Zainab Johnson Trevor: Ziggy Ramo Black Thoughts (Black Face)
Oct 03, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 69
Sorry the notes have not been up to our normal standard lately. Hoping to fix the last couple episode’s notes this week! This is the last week to vote for The Substance as the Best Local Podcast in Kansas City (link in notes for Ep. 65) so please do that if you haven’t yet. This week’s topic is one that several listeners have asked for and one that we’ll certainly return to in future shows. Deconstruction is something a lot of people are talking about and we wanted to take an episode to have a f...
Sep 26, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Mitch Wiley returns to talk with us about Chris Nolan’s 2010 hit film Inception.
Sep 19, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 67
**Vote for The Substance as Kansas City's Best Local Podcast Kyle Strobel joins us to talk about God-honoring ways to use power for the good of those around us and for ourselves. Buy The Way of the Dragon/Lamb Buy Beloved Dust (Kyle mentioned it as "Part 1" to Dragon/Lamb) Shoutouts: Harry Potter Patrick Rothfuss Kingkiller Chronicles Book 1 Book 2 Follow Kyle: Twitter Facebook Book website Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Channel Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: E...
Sep 12, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 66
** Vote for The Substance as Kansas City's Best Local Podcast ** Hey! Because of our hectic schedules (and the hectic schedules of some of the authors we've reached out to lately), it's been a minute since we have gotten to do a Substantive Stories episode. This week we have the pleasure of bringing you our conversation with Courtney B. Ellis. Courtney has recently published her third book, Happy Now, and we had a wonderful time talking with her about it! How do joy, playfulness, and community a...
Sep 05, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 65
It's Topic Toss Up time again and in this episode we look at the conversation in the Church and culture surrounding reparations as well as discuss the principles and realities relating to searching for a new local church. We hope you enjoy and please let us know what you think! Holy Post episode with Gregory Thompson on Reparations Substance Shoutouts: Trevor- With by Skye Jethani Philip- Owlegories Vincent- Samoht (Musical Artist) Alpha Exit Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Channel...
Aug 29, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 64
For those who have been in the church a while or those who have visited a time or two, without knowing might have had a pastor or two use some manipulative sermon tactics. Most likely it was done unconsciously but done nonetheless. Join us this week as we explore what these tactics are, how they manifest, and most importantly what we can do about them. If you are just in the congregation, desire to be in ministry, or have been preaching for a long time, we believe this episode will help us ident...
Aug 22, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 63
