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Message from Josh Larsen on May 4, 2025
Message from Josh Larsen on April 20, 2025
Message from Josh Larsen on March 23, 2025
Message from Josh Larsen on March 2, 2025
While I'm happy to co-host a weekly podcast, I do listen to several others. One of the finest examples is Filmspotting, a movie-themed podcast that celebrates film via weekly in-depth reviews, interviews, “Sacred Cow” reviews of classic movies, and “Top 5” segments. The show is hosted by Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen, but it has been running since March 2005 (with Adam's former co-host/current producer Sam Van Hallgren). It's the one podcast I knowingly listen to the day it arrives in my feed. Given its popularity, I know I'm not alone. In honor of the podcast's 20th anniversary, the Filmspotting team has put together Filmspotting Fest, an upcoming Chicago-based film festival from February 28 to March 2. Tickets are on sale, and more information can be found at www.filmspotting.net. All that said, I had the pleasure of speaking with Adam and Josh about the upcoming fest, the podcast, and how they've kept it going all this time. Enjoy!
Message from Josh Larsen on February 16, 2025
Josh Larsen, co-founder of CTO of Ghost Security, joins Seth Law and Ken Johnson on January 28th at 12 Noon Eastern time. Before Ghost Security, Josh was a co-founder and CEO of Darkbit and before that of the Blackfin Security Group. Larsen led the GTM strategy for both startups, and Darkbit and Blackfin Security Group were acquired by Aqua Security and Symantec Corporation, respectively. Ghost Security (https://ghostsecurity.com/) was founded so development shops and AppSec teams had a tool to perform autonomous application security using Agentic AI with the goal of helping teams discover, test, and mitigate risks in real time. Josh (joshlarsen on Linked In, @josh_larsen on X/Twitter) has been in the industry for 25 years working as a security program manager and consultant as well as building products that improve the security landscape. Be sure to tune in as Seth and Ken talk through his experiences in the field as well as gleaning his insights about the future of AppSec.
Message from Josh Larsen on January 19, 2025.
Twenty years ago on Christmas Day, Wes Anderson released his fourth feature film into the world. The star-studded Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou was not as an immediate hit as some of Anderson's other films but it's one that has aged incredibly well. Bill Murray leads a cast of phenomenal actors such as Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Anjelica Huston, and many others as the titular Steve Zissou on a quest for both revenge against the rare (and possibly fictional) shark that killed his partner and best friend, and his long lost dignity and relevance as an oceanographer and documentarian. As funny as it is, the movie also is about a man struggling against his mortality and seeking to repair his legacy. It's charming, exciting, funny, and deeply heartfelt. Whether you revisit this as an old favorite or are coming to it for the first time, we hope you enjoy! We are also thrilled to welcome Dan McCoy (The Flop House podcast, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) to discuss the film with us. Dan is a veteran writer, comedian, podcaster, and movie watcher and it was a wonderful time having him on to talk about one of his favorite films. Follow/Listen to The Flop House Substantive Cinema Episode List If you're newer to the show be sure to check out our library of 150+ episodes with folks like Filmspotting's Josh Larsen, artist Stephanie Stalvey, Jemar Tisby, New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson, Propaganda, actor/director John Carroll Lynch, Kaitlyn Schiess (The Holy Post), and our old pal Slim (Letterboxd & 70mm Podcast). Shoutouts: The Burial Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod The Last Stop in Yuma County Hundreds of Beavers Dan: Letterboxd BlueSky Website Follow Us Instagram Twitter Philip's Letterboxd Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com DM on Instagram Support Us: Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
Hey there, and Merry almost Christmas! This week we've got a wonderful conversation about faith and art that covers the width and breadth of global, historical Christianity as well as the importance of one's personal spiritual practices. Our guest today is Rev. Ben Lansing who is a professional comic strip artist by vocation as well as running the Our Church Speaks Instagram account. Ben's passion for art, history, and his faith were very encouraging to me, especially as he seems to approach it all with curiosity and humility. Please enjoy and share it with a friend! Buy Our Church Speaks If you enjoyed the film or our discussion we'd love for you to send us an email or voice note. And if you have any suggestions of movies, topics, or guests for future shows, please send those our way as well! Be sure to check out our library of 150+ episodes with folks like Filmspotting's Josh Larsen, artist Stephanie Stalvey, Jemar Tisby, New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson, Propaganda, actor/director John Carroll Lynch, Kaitlyn Schiess, and Robert P. Jones. Shoutouts: Lost to the West by Lars Brownworth How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind by Thomas C. Oden Truth Unites podcast (Gavin Ortlund) Ancient Faith Radio podcasts The Classic Anglican Podcast The Substance! Bob Dylan Follow Us Instagram Twitter Philip's Letterboxd Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com DM on Instagram Support Us: Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
Message from Josh Larsen on December 8, 2024
Message from Josh Larsen on December 1, 2024
Four weeks in a row, can you believe it?! This week we are back with a Substantive Cinema pick that we've been excited for for quite some time, Walter Hill's underrated masterpiece Southern Comfort. The movie follows a squad of National Guardsmen doing exercises in the Louisiana swamps. After some painfully avoidable events, the men become hunted and are on the run for their lives against an enemy of their own making in a place that, while actually being part of their own homeland, they find entirely foreign. On the one hand, the film is a perfectly thrilling and taut entertainment. However, it's also a substantive look at White male entitlement, American exceptionalism, militarism, race relations, and more. If you enjoyed the film or our discussion we'd love for you to send us an email or voice note. And if you have any suggestions of movies, topics, or guests for future shows, please send those our way as well! Listen to Mitchell's previous Substantive Cinema appearance Mitchell's Walter Hill Interview WH Filmography Ranked Mitchell on Letterboxd Purchase the Vinegar Syndrome 4K Streaming options for Southern Comfort List of Substantive Cinema movies If you're newer to the show be sure to check out our library of 150+ episodes with folks like Filmspotting's Josh Larsen, artist Stephanie Stalvey, Jemar Tisby, New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson, Propaganda, actor/director John Carroll Lynch, and our old pal Slim (Letterboxd & 70mm Podcast). Shoutouts: Witness in the City (Radiance Films) Troy article (Paste) Ethan & Maya Hawke interview Follow Us Instagram Twitter Philip's Letterboxd Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com DM on Instagram Support Us: Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
Message from Josh Larsen on November 17, 2024
Once again, we recorded this episode a while back (a number of months ago, in this case) but due to the lamentable state of many things in the US, our episode this week feels eerily timely. For our first Noirvember Substantive Cinema epsiode of 2024, we are looking at one of Samuel Fuller's most celebrated and highly regarded films, Shock Corridor. In the movie, Johnny Barrett, a journalist in pursuit of fame and acclaim, poses as a lunatic in order to infiltrate a mental institution where a murder has taken place. Can he keep his sanity long enough to solve the case and what will be left of him if he can? In our discussion we cover: how Sam Fuller bluntly portrays America's various psychoses (nationalism, racial hatred, and the worship of violent power) in the three eyewitnesses that Johnny needs to interrogate, the legacy of Fuller's work in filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Spike Lee, and Jim Jarmusch, the role of journalism in a free society, and more! Watch Shock Corridor on the Internet Archive Listen to Mike, Spencer, and I talk about The Naked Kiss, Fuller's follow up to Shock Corridor which also stars Constance Towers. My discussion of Fuller's war films on The Stacks Forty Guns episode of The Criterion Connection Follow Mike's work at Weirding Way Shoutouts Spencer: When the Clock Broke by John Ganz The Surrealism of Friday the 13th Mike: The Good Fairy The Strawberry Blonde Philip: The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch If you're newer to the show be sure to check out our library of 150+ episodes with folks like Karen Swallow Prior, Jemar Tisby, Tyler Huckabee, Kaitlyn Schiess, Propaganda, Josh Larsen, Stephanie Stalvey, and John Carroll Lynch. Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com DM on Instagram Support Us: Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
We are back! We weren't planning on holding this episode until right before the US Election Day but here we are. Jon Guerra is an immensely talented devotional music singer songwriter and his new project American Gospel is a beautiful, timely project that some of our listeners put on our radar a while back so we were delighted to have this conversation with him! We talk music, faith creativity, film (Jon composed some of the music for Substantive Cinema favorite film A Hidden Life), what it means to be a faithful and hopeful believer in such difficult times and more! If you enjoy the episode, please consider giving us a 5 star review and share it with a friend! Shoutouts: The Song That I Am Shogun The Chosen (series) Reading Genesis Passions of the Soul Buy American Gospel Sign up for his mailing list on his website If you're newer to the show be sure to check out our library of 150+ episodes with folks like Karen Swallow Prior, Jemar Tisby, Kaitlyn Schiess, Propaganda, Josh Larsen, Stephanie Stalvey, and John Carroll Lynch. Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com DM on Instagram Support Us: Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
Message from Josh Larsen on October 27, 2024
Filmjitsu wraps up its Halloween Season with the most Halloween of Halloween Episodes! If the past two special episodes spent interviewing Filmspotting's Josh Larsen about his new horror genre book and dissecting "Skinamarink" with filmmaker Dane Elcar weren't enough for you, the guys overdose on October vibes by tackling ALL THREE of David Gordon Green's "Halloween" movies in another super-sized episode! How does Michael Myers fare in these canon-busting sequels to John Carpenter's 1977 slasher classic? Probably better than Mike and Jay, who were so daunted by the task of watching these flicks that they enlisted another special guest: Jay's son, JT Santo. The three offer-up an in-depth look at this notorious series, then dive into their Bottom Five Slashers, a bloody array of inept, ridiculous and otherwise laughable killers littering horror movie history. Finally, the intrepid trio face off in a slasher-themed game of Kick Two, Pick Two; pitting four horror icons against each other in a battle where only two will remain standing. Collectively, Freddy, Jason, Michael and Leatherface's trademark masks and weapons have made it through 43 films, but will they make it through the podcasts that wields films as deadly weapons? Listen and find out!
It's week three of SCEAM Drafts VII and out-of-towners Josh Larsen (Filmspotting) and Joe George (Den of Geek) broke down in Draftland, so we tied them to the draft table and made them rank the 7 best RURAL HORROR films ever made!
Happy Spooky Season, Filmjitsu listeners! Following on the heels of the guys interviewing Filmspotting's Josh Larsen about his in-depth look at the horror genre, Mike and Jay again invited filmmaker Dane Elcar ("Brightwood") to join in on the holiday fun! The result? A super-sized discussion about the polarizing art-horror film, "Skinamarink." What will the three scary-movie enthusiasts think of this grainy, non-narrative mood-piece? Perhaps the episode's bottom five will lend a hint, as after the main review, the guys count down their Bottom Five Patience Testers- movies that have you watching the time more than the screen. Do you have Martin Scorsese listed twice on your bingo card? If you do, maybe you'll win a smashed pumpkin and a pocketful of linty candy-corn!
After a bad experience in Hollywood, Guillermo del Toro had lost his spark. He got it back with a story of a haunted orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, a script he wrote when he was still a student. Together with the film's producer Rosa Bosch, BFI's Creative Director and author of THE FABER BOOK OF MEXICAN CINEMA Jason Wood and co-host of the Filmspotting podcast Josh Larsen, guest host Anna Bogutskaya finds out how THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE gave Guillermo his horror groove back. Season 6, titled Haunted Homes, explores how haunted house movies have mirrored our relationship with our homes. Each episode visits a horror movie that changed the way we imagine a haunted house, from the crumbling Gothic mansions to white picket fences, what it says about the people who live in the houses and what scares them the most. Guest written and hosted by Anna Bogutskaya. Find her book on horror films and feelings, FEEDING THE MONSTER, online and in all good bookshops. You can also listen to her horror film history podcast The Final Girls and subscribe to her movie newsletter Admit One.A Woman's Bite: Female Vampires collection is now streaming on MUBI. To watch some of the films we've covered on the podcast, check out the collection Featured on the MUBI Podcast. Availability of films varies depending on your country.MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI makes, acquires, curates, and champions extraordinary films, connecting them to audiences all over the world. A place to discover ambitious new films and singular voices, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs. Each carefully chosen by MUBI's curators.
As it's Spooky Season, Mike and Jay recorded this bonus episode: a horror-themed interview with film critic Josh Larsen, best known as the co-host of the stellar film podcast "Filmspotting." Josh and the guys discuss his latest book, Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies, touching upon matters of faith while also considering the redemptive - and not-so-redemptive - aspects of the genre. Why would a devout Christian watch (and love) movies like "The Shining," "Us," and "The Blair Witch Project?" Josh answers this question while weighing in on what he believes are universal aspects behind the effectiveness and enduring popularity of horror flicks. And if all that isn't enough, the guys get up to their usual tricks by presenting Josh with one of the toughest rounds of Kick Two, Pick Two ever. Would you be able to choose only two of your four favorite horror films, throwing the other two forever into the Forbidden Zone? Can Josh?
Message from Josh Larsen on September 8, 2024
Happy to be back in your feeds! Our old friend Josh Tiessen (see Ep. 61 for his first appearance on the show) is back with an incredible new book and body of work and we're excited to share this conversation with you! Purchase Josh's new book! From Josh's website: Completed between 2020-2023, this new body of work explores two divergent perspectives on wisdom, and how might flourish in a society filled with facts, but mired in confusion. The solo exhibition was on display at Rehs Contemporary Gallery (New York, NY) from April 28 - May 26, 2023. Shoutouts: John Mark Comer Podcast The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood Antoni Gaudi Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Channel If you're newer to the show be sure to check out our library of 150+ episodes with folks like Karen Swallow Prior, Jemar Tisby, Kaitlyn Schiess, Propaganda, Josh Larsen, Stephanie Stalvey, and John Carroll Lynch. Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com DM on Instagram Support Us: Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
In Cineversary podcast episode #73, host Erik Martin marks the 70th anniversary of perhaps Alfred Hitchcock's greatest work: Rear Window. Joining him for this installment is Patrick McGilligan, author of Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light and an adjunct professor of film at Marquette University; and Josh Larsen, co-host of the Filmspotting podcast and author of Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror. Together, they take a telephoto lens to this movie and explore the craftmanship and thematic brilliance of Rear Window and its lasting influence. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cineversary/support
Full audio segment with Free Jacks' captain Josh Larsen on Episode 157 of TJRSThis episode is sponsored by Inkify. Custom Printing and Embroidery since 2010. Inkify provides high-quality decorated apparel nationwide. From ordering the apparel, to printing, adding a private label, folding, bagging and fulfillment: they handle it all, so you don't have to. visit inkify.com to get started on your order and tell em' TJRS sent ya! TJRS has new video content often so make sure you're subscribed: https://tinyurl.com/jackstubeSubscribe to TJRS, the best Free Jacks podcast on the internet: https://tinyurl.com/jacksspotTwitter: / jacksrangers Instagram: / jacksrangers Facebook: / jacksrangers Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/jacksspotWebsite: https://www.jacksrangers.com/Merch: https://www.jacksrangers.com/storeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jacksrangers/donations
Listen in as Josh Larsen and Amber Noel lead a TC Movie Club conversation that centers on the audacious ending of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Do the movie's final moments — which are rife with religious imagery — leave us in a place of revenge? Redemption? Somewhere in between? SHOW NOTES Amber on ‘Survival, Seeds, and Salvation in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' - https://thinkchristian.net/new-entry-1 Josh's video essay on ‘The Christian Witness of Mad Max: Fury Road' - https://youtu.be/NNfR1LC2fKc?si=SWpezm29E2DcXXlN
Message from Josh Larsen on May 26, 2024
Message from Josh Larsen on May 19, 2024
In Fear Not!, critic Josh Larsen makes the case that monster movies, creature features, slashers, and other fright films artfully reflect our deep worries in a way that resonates with the Christian experience. Combining critical observation and theological reflection, Larsen devotes each chapter to a different horror subgenre, connecting that subgenre to a commonly shared fear. https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Not-Christian-Appreciation-Spirituality/dp/1666738522 https://www.filmspotting.net/ https://larsenonfilm.com/ Josh is the co-host of the radio show and podcast Filmspotting, author of Movies Are Prayers and Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror, as well as editor/producer for Think Christian, a website and podcast exploring faith and pop culture. He's been writing and speaking about movies professionally since 1994.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 And now! The thrilling conclusion! Of our! Horror podcastfest of dooooom! Featuring! SLASHER MOVIES!Did you know you needed an hour-long conversation about Halloween? You won't know for sure until you listen! Also, many apologies to Canadians regarding our talk of My Bloody Valentine. Many apologies to all humans everywhere and throughout all time regarding our talk of Sleepaway Camp.0:00 -- Intro, Halloween tidings, CD, cake7:24 -- Halloween1.06:43: -- My Bloody Valentine1.25:16 -- Sleepaway Camp1.50:17 -- Awards and rankings2.27:22 -- Next podcast planning2.34:32 -- Lots of random scary movie talk2.43:26 -- Outro and outtakesHey! Hear the Halloween Unmasked podcast!Hey! Hear the Filmspotting podcast where Josh Larsen changes his mind on Halloween!Hey! Read The Halloween Franchise: By the Numbers!Hey! Hear the How Did This Get Made where they talk about Sleepaway Camp!Hey! Watch the end of the Double Dragon arcade game (you really do fight each other for the girl)!Hey! Watch a scene from The Exorcist III!Hey! Hear the episode of The Canon where they talk about The Exorcist III!Hey! Be sure to watch Suburban Commando, They Live, and Santo vs. la hija de Frankenstein for next time!Hey! Subscribe in iTunes!Hey! Check out the Facebook page and vote on the next category!Hey! Check out Jon's YM&T Letterboxd list!Hey! Check out Roy's YM&T Letterboxd list!Hey! Email us at yoursminetheirspodcast@gmail.com! Send new topics! Send new theme songs!
On the heels of our conversation with Chaz Ebert discussing Life Itself, we are sharing this episode from our friends at Filmspotting. As we learned from Chaz, even Roger himself once admitted to getting one review wrong!In this episode, critic and author Matt Singer joins Filmspotting co-hosts Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen to consider the enduring impact of Ebert and his longtime partner Gene Siskel, and to dissect five other reviews they may have gotten wrong. Originally dropped in October, 2023, the episode followed publication of Matt's book, “Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever”, a vivid telling of the definitive story of Siskel and Ebert and their iconic show, “At the Movies.” Listen and subscribe to Filmspotting on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listen in as TC's Josh Larsen and Fuller Seminary's Elijah Davidson lead a conversation with Movie Club members about the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki. SHOW NOTES Join the TC Movie Club - https://www.thinkchristian.net/movieclub Elijah's book, Hayao Miyazaki: Lifted - https://elijahdavidson.com/books/icons-of-cinema/hayao-miyazaki-lifted-ebook/ Josh's video essay on ‘What Miyazaki and Christianity Have in Common' - https://thinkchristian.net/what-miyazaki-and-christianity-have-in-common Josh on ‘Ponyo and the Challenges of Multiculturalism' - https://thinkchristian.net/ponyo-and-the-challenges-of-multiculturalism Ben Lashar on ‘My Neighbor Totoro and Becoming Like Little Children' - https://thinkchristian.net/my-neighbor-totoro-and-becoming-like-little-children Victoria Grace Howell on ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind's Cultural Mandate' - https://thinkchristian.net/nausicaas-cultural-mandate
We love to talk movies on the Re-integrate Podcast. Why? Because we want to reintegrate our enjoyment of pop culture with our Christian faith.Our guest on this episode is film critic Josh Larsen. He is co-host of the WBEZ (Chicago's NPR station) radio show Filmspotting, which is also one of the top movie podcasts. Josh is also the editor and producer for Think Christian, a website and podcast exploring faith and pop culture. He has been writing and speaking about movies professionally since 1994.Scroll down to read more about this episode.Subscribe on your favorite podcast app!We discuss with Josh Larsen his two books:Movies Are Prayers: How Films Voice Our Deepest Longings (InterVarsity Press, 2017), andFear Not!: A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies (Cascade Books, 2023, a part of Fuller Seminary's Reel Spirituality Monograph series).Movies we discuss (with time stamps):From Movies are Prayers:* The Tree of Life (7:41)* Avatar (10:31)* 12 Years a Slave (12:39)* Toy Story (16:57)* My Neighbor Totoro (20:31)From Fear Not:* Night of the Living Dead (29:20)* The Wolf Man (33:26)* Frankenstein (36:49)* The Creature from the Black Lagoon (37:46)* Halloween, Friday the 13th, & Nightmare on Elm Street (39:03)* The Conjuring (41:00)* The Sixth Sense (46:19)* The Shining (49:09)Connect with Josh Larsen:* Larsen on Film* Letterboxd* X (formerly Twitter)* Facebook* YouTube Film Reviews* Filmspotting* Think ChristianYou can purchase Josh Larsen's books from independent booksellers Byron and Beth Borger at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. Order online through their secure server or call 717-246-333. Mention that you heard about this book on the Reintegrate Podcast and get 20% off.________________Thanks for listening!Please share this podcast with your friends. Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney.Go to re-integrate.org for the latest articles on reintegrating your callings with God's mission and online resources for further learning. You can also find out about a Bible study book that you can use in your small group or individual devotions: Reintegrate Your Vocation with God's Mission.On Reintegrate's podcast page, you'll find more episodes and ways to contact Bob and David. Get full access to Bob Robinson's Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe
We love to talk movies on the Re-integrate Podcast. We want to reintegrate our Christian faith with our engagement with pop culture. Our guest on this episode is film critic Josh Larsen. He is co-host of WBEZ (Chicago's NPR station) radio show Filmspotting, which is also one of the top movie podcasts. Josh is also the editor and producer for Think Christian, a website and podcast exploring faith and pop culture. He's been writing and speaking about movies professionally since 1994. Josh is the author of two books about which we talk with him: Movies Are Prayers: How Films Voice Our Deepest Longings (InterVarsity Press, 2017), and Fear Not!: A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies (Cascade Books, 2023, a part of Fuller Seminary's Reel Spirituality Monograph series). Movies we discuss (with time stamps): From Movies are Prayers: The Tree of Life (7:41) Avatar (10:31) 12 Years a Slave (12:39) Toy Story (16:57) My Neighbor Totoro (20:31) From Fear Not: Night of the Living Dead (29:20) The Wolf Man (33:26) Frankenstein (36:49) The Creature from the Black Lagoon (37:46) Haloween, Friday the 13th, & Nightmare on Elm Street (39:03) The Conjuring (41:00) The Sixth Sense (46:19) The Shining (49:09) Connect with Josh Larsen: Larsen on Film Letterboxd X (formerly Twitter) Facebook YouTube Film Reviews Filmspotting Think Christian You can purchase Josh Larsen's books from independent booksellers Byron and Beth Borger at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. Order online through their secure server or call 717-246-333. Mention that you heard about this book on the Reintegrate Podcast and get 20% off. ________________ Thanks for listening! Please share this podcast with your friends. Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney. Go to re-integrate.org for the latest articles on reintegrating your callings with God's mission and online resources for further learning. You can also find out about a Bible study book that you can use in your small group or individual devotions: Reintegrate Your Vocation with God's Mission. On Reintegrate's podcast page, you'll find more episodes and ways to contact Bob and David.
Message from Josh Larsen on March 17, 2024
Message from Josh Larsen on March 10, 2024
Author/Movie critic Josh Larsen is back on the CULTURE POP PODCAST joining Mase & Sue for their annual Oscars preview show. They talk about the diversity in 2023's films, the state of animation, shoo-ins, curveballs, sentimental favorites, who got snubbed and the nominees we would remove for those we wanted. Plus, how the SAG Award winners will fare, and Jimmy Kimmel's return as Hollywood's biggest night's host.
Watch... Listen/Download the Podcast version... Please share and join our weekly newsletter: http://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/ Find All Here: -Web: http://www.RugbyWrapUp.com -Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp @RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats. -Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/RugbyWrapUp -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RugbyWrapUp -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RugbyWrapUp -Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/RugbyWrapUp #USARugby #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2020 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting
One more show before the year is over! We were really hoping to get this recorded and published before Christmas but scheduling did not allow it. That being said, we are so happy to have artist Stephanie Stalvey back on the show to discuss the follow up to our previous discussion with her in Ep #136 (link below), 1944's The Curse of the Cat People. The previous film, Val Lewton & Jacques Tourneur's Cat People, was an unexpected delight because of how thoughtfully and skillfully it dealt with shame and repression regarding female sexuality, along with it being genuinely thrilling and scary at times. This one is almost equally surprising for how it seemingly turns on a dime and, tonally, hardly bares any resemblance to its predecessor. This time, directed by Robert Wise who went on to direct films like Star Trek: The Motion Picture, West Side Story and The Sound of Music (!), the film shifts and is something akin to a child's fairy tale and deals with themes of parental expectations, the dangers of being controlled by fear & anxiety, and the saving power of kindness. It's a wild swing but, for us at least, it really works. Plus, it's a low key Christmas movie! Check it out for free at the link below and enjoy! Be sure to send us an email or message and let us know what you think of the film! Links: Watch The Curse of the Cat People free (legally) in HD! Listen to Stephanie's Cat People episode! Previous Substantive Cinema Episodes Fear Not! by Josh Larsen (book) Shoutouts: A Bug's Life A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll The Dark Dark: Stories by Samantha Hunt Follow Stephanie: Website Instagram Look for "Pure" in print January 2026! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Channel Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com Phone: 913-703-3883 Support Us: NEW OPTION! We have finally joined Patreon! Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
Author & co-host of the FILMSPOTTING podcast, Josh Larsen joins Mase & Sue on the CULTURE POP PODCAST to discuss Martin Scorcese's epic western crime drama, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, Greta Gerwig's modern take on BARBIE, and Christopher Nolan's biographical thriller, OPPENHEIMER. We also talk about his compelling new book, FEAR NOT! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies and his editor gig at THINK CHRISTIAN, a community of pop culture enthusiasts that help believers connect with their fandom and faith through a theological lens. Plus, growing a mustache for Movember and Sofia Coppola's biopic, PRISCILLA.
Josh Larsen is the co-host of the radio show and podcast Filmspotting, author of Movies Are Prayers and Fear Not!, and editor/producer for Think Christian, a website and podcast exploring faith and pop culture. He's been writing and speaking about movies professionally since 1994. A veteran of the Sundance, Toronto, and Chicago International Film Festivals, Josh has given talks on film at various colleges and conferences. Since 2017, he has led “Ebert Interruptus,” a tradition established by Roger Ebert, which analyzes a single film scene by scene over several days at the University of Colorado's Conference on World Affairs.Please rate us on Apple and Spotify and subscribe for free at mikeyopp.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikeyopp.substack.com/subscribe
A veritable horror extravaganza! James is joined by guest host Rory and his friend Thomas Thorogood of the stirandfry YouTube channel as they welcome Josh Larsen, author of FEAR NOT!: A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies. This motley crew delves into the depths of horror and takes a stab at how this genre connects to our faith. Josh Larsen's film review website: LarsenOnFilm.com Josh's book FEAR NOT!: A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies Thomas' Youtube Channel: stirandfry — We've got new merchandise! Check it out at the merch store. Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with your friends. Rate and review the podcast wherever you listen to help attract more listeners. Follow and connect with us on social media. Support us on Patreon.
We hope that you all have had a wonderful Spooky Season and wish you all a Happy Halloween this week! After having Filmspotting's Josh Larsen (no relation to our guest today) on in Episode #135 to talk about a faithful approach to horror and then covering the classic 1942 horror film Cat People, we're closing October out with one of the greatest horror and science fiction films of all time, Ridley Scott's Alien. Alien tells the story of the crew of the Nostromo, a commercial spaceship that comes across a dangerous and virtually unstoppable lifeform that no one in the crew is prepared for. As a piece of science-fiction/horror it's extremely effective but like many great works of art, you can also have a rich experience when you come it to with different lenses. The viewer can look at it as a piece of social commentary about the plight of the working class people being ground up by the machinery of Capitalism, a gender study and what the films portrayal of men and women says about our prejudices, a theologically significant tale about the nature of evil, and more! Luckily, we have a guest with us who is qualified to explore all of those facets of the film. Sarah Welch-Larson is a Chicago based film critic, longtime podcaster, and author of a book on the while Alien franchise! She's been on our radar for a while and we're so happy to have her on for this one. This is a film and series that she has dedicated a lot of time and attention to and it was a pleasure to talk Alien with her (next week Substance patrons will get a bonus episode where we cover her book and the other 5 films in the series!). Happy Halloween and remember to share the show with a friend who would dig it! Substantive Cinema Library Buy Sarah's book, Becoming Alien Shoutouts: The Night of the Hunter Buck and the Preacher The Boy and the Heron Follow Sarah: Website Seeing and Believing Substack Letterboxd Instagram Follow Us: Philip's Letterboxd Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Channel Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com Phone: 913-703-3883 Support Us: NEW OPTION! We have finally joined Patreon! Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
Listen in as TC's Josh Larsen and Fuller Theological Seminary's Kutter Callaway lead a TC Movie Club conversation considering “Horror — What Is it Good for?” They and club members talk biblical fear, horror subgenres, and the particular brand of scares offered by Jordan Peele. (To join the club, sign up at https://www.thinkchristian.net/movieclub) SHOW NOTES Kutter's limited series podcast, Be Afraid - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/be-afraid/ Josh's book, Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies - https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Not-Christian-Appreciation-Spirituality-ebook/dp/B0CB4TT4B6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3G4QMAZB8SPG3&keywords=fear+not+larsen&qid=1698262191&sprefix=fear+not+larsen%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1 Josh's video essay, “Should Christians Watch Horror Movies?” - https://youtu.be/um88HH2DFbc?si=DTX0SnMLGsGr4GYS
Should Christians watch horror movies? What about movies about demonic possession? Film critic Josh Larsen returns to the show to take us into his new book FEAR NOT. We explore the role horror can play in creating spiritual conversations and even in spiritual formation!Episode Links:Larsen on Film (website)Josh on LetterboxThink Christian (website)Filmspotting (podcast)
Did Jesus draw lines or circles? Then, a lively discussion about how a culture of evangelism takes root in a church, and more church (and celebrity) news before Brian and Aubrey's Top 5 Horror Movies. LINKS REFERNCED: Jesus Drew Circles and Lines: A Response to Andy Stanley (thegospelcoalition.org) 9Marks on X: "A culture of evangelism only takes root in a church when the pastor is willing to celebrate even the smallest of evangelistic efforts. https://t.co/dGVRkydDir" / X (twitter.com) Biblical Worldview Conference looks at evidence for resurrection | Church & Ministries News (christianpost.com) Jada Pinkett Smith reveals she and Will Smith have been separated since 2016 (nbcnews.com) Follow The Common Good on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Hosted by Aubrey Sampson and Brian From Produced by Laura Finch and Keith ConradSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Spooky Season, y'all! On our previous episode with Josh Larsen we teased that we'd likely be covering one of the films we mentioned in our discussion of the theology of horror movies, and it's that time! We're excited to kick things off this October by covering the underseen horror classic Cat People from 1942 (congrats to the folks who guessed it correctly!). The description on The Criterion Collection's website for the film, in part, reads: "The first of the horror films producer Val Lewton made for RKO Pictures redefined the genre by leaving its most frightening terrors to its audience's imagination. Simone Simon stars as a Serbian émigré in Manhattan who believes that, because of an ancient curse, any physical intimacy with the man she loves (Kent Smith) will turn her into a feline predator." In its brisk 73-minute runtime, the film is in turn scary, thought-provoking, and incredibly impressive as a artistic work made with such little money and under significant time constraints. We are also excited to have the perfect guest for this tale of sexual repression & religious fundamentalism, artist and author Stephanie Stalvey. Stephanie writes and draws comics and is most widely known for her graphic memoir "Pure," currently being released on her website with a published collection on its way when it's finished. She writes about her own experiences with fundamentalism and purity culture and a few of her short stories were so thematically similar to the story portrayed in the film (links below), that we had to reach out. The result was a fantastic conversation that we hope encourages and edifies you as much as it did us. And who know, we just may have her back for a Curse of the Cat People bonus for Patreon supporters sometime! If you enjoy the show, please consider messaging it to a friend who would like it and giving us a rating/review on your platform of choice so others can get in on the conversation as well! Links: Fear Not! by Josh Larsen (Filmspotting) Watch Cat People free on the Internet Archive Substantive Cinema Letterboxd List Stephanie IG short 1 Stephanie IG short 2 Shoutouts: Mad Men (series) Bluey (series) Fun Home Are You My Mother? Follow Stephanie: IG Art Page Website Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Channel Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com Support Us: NEW OPTION! We have finally joined Patreon! Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support
Netflix's live-action adaptation of the popular anime series offers a mismatched batch of outcasts who are united by a warm, encouraging leader and directed toward a singular purpose. Sound familiar? Aside from those New Testament echoes, the show also delivers pirates, sea creatures, and snail phones. Josh Larsen and Abby Olcese are joined by One Piece expert Claude Atcho to discuss. SHOW NOTES Sara Kyoungah White on ‘One Piece and Straw Hat Christians' - https://thinkchristian.net/one-piece-and-straw-hat-christians Sign up to join the TC Movie Club - https://thinkchristian.net/movieclub
Horror movies often engage their audience on a primal level as they delve into some of our deepest fears, so it's understandable why so many people are sensitive to them and have reservations concerning them. This appears to be doubly true (or more) of people of faith. Returning guest Josh Larsen is the perfect person to have join us for this topic! Josh is a Chicago film critic and longtime cohost of the prestigious Filmspotting podcast, an editor & podcast host for Think Christian, as well as the author of Movies Are Prayers and the newly published Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies. We discuss the question of why anyone, particularly people of faith, would want to watch horror movies then we dive right in and talk about the unique themes and insights that we can gain from engaging critically with horror subgenres like slashers, monster movies, "sex and death," prophetic horror, and more! His book is an excellent introduction to the topic for the horror newbie as well as a good resource for the horror fan who is interested in thinking more deeply about the genre. Enjoy and be sure to share the show with a friend! Buy Fear Not! 2022 Spooky Season Substantive Cinema with Josh on George Romero's Night of the Living Dead Letterboxd list of the films discussed in Fear Not! Follow Josh: Filmspotting podcast Think Christian podcast Website Think Christian Letterboxd Instagram Twitter Facebook Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Channel Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com Support Us: NEW OPTION! We have finally joined Patreon! Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesubstancepod/support