Best Fresh Noir Podcasts (2026)

What comes after deconstruction? In this episode, I sit down with James McGrath to talk about what it looks like to move beyond tearing faith down and begin the slower, braver work of rebuilding it with honesty, humility, and curiosity. We wrestle with Bible scholarship, doubt, certainty, and why faith that looks like Jesus may require fewer answer…

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The Courage to Differ Graciously (with Brian McLaren) | Ep. 62 1:10:00

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20d ago1:10:00

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What if the real spiritual crisis isn’t disagreement, but how we disagree? In this episode, we explore why certainty has replaced curiosity and why faith so often becomes brittle instead of beautiful. We see what happens when winning arguments matters more than loving people. This isn’t a call to “be nicer,” but a challenge to examine how fear shap…

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An Underdog Conversation... from Bad News Bears to Breaking Away 46:06

26d ago46:06

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In this episode of Movie Nerds, Kyle and Russel discuss movies where sports underdogs get the spotlight. Using 1976's Bad News Bears and 1979's Breaking Away as conversation starters, they share their history with these underdog stories, what we liked and hated, what makes a great underdog movie , how these films have changed over the years, our to…

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British New Wave's Kitchen Sink Revolution: David Forrest on Working-Class Realism 1:06:49

27d ago1:06:49

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Anger, Authenticity, and the Working ClassAndy Nelson and special guest Professor David Forrest explore the gritty realism and social commentary of the British New Wave, a revolutionary film movement that transformed British cinema in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Through kitchen sink dramas and authentic portrayals of working-class life, these g…

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Season 5 Episode 7 : The Scarlet Hour 1:10:14

1M ago1:10:14

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Welcome to the Scarlet Hour! This week at The Speakeasy we explore Carly being lazy and Jason explains pre production crunch time - which is as dicey as it sounds! Oh, and we watch The Scarlet Hour, a tale of infidelity, greed, and murder.The Scarlet Hour is a 1956 American film noir crime film directed and produced by Michael Curtiz, and starring …

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The Root and the Fruit (with David Hayward) | Ep. 61 1:27:41

1M ago1:27:41

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What if the faith you inherited isn’t the faith you actually want to keep? In this episode, I sit down with David Hayward—yes, the Naked Pastor himself—to talk about the root systems beneath our beliefs, the fruit they produce in real life, and why so many of us feel torn between what we were handed and what we’re becoming. If you’ve ever wondered …

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Between the Pulpit and the Pub (with Gavin Linderman) | Ep. 60 1:34:07

2M ago1:34:07

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What happens when a pastor decides the real mission field isn’t inside the church walls… but somewhere between the pulpit and the pub? In this episode, Gavin Linderman and I dive into the beautifully messy overlap of Anabaptist theology, creativity, and craft beverages. We talk about churches that accidentally turn coffee shops into Christian books…

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A Musical Conversation.... From Singing in the Rain to the Greatest Showman 45:32

2M ago45:32

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In this episode of Movie Nerds, Kyle and Russel discuss musical movies and how they've changed over the years. Using 1952's Singing in the Rain and 2017's The Greatest Showman as conversation starters, they share their history with these musicals, what makes a musical, how they're different than musical bio pics, the differnce between stag shows ad…

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Heist Films' Perfect Score: Luka Arsenjuk & Tim Palmer Crack the Criminal Code 2:01:44

2M ago2:01:44

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The Mechanics of the Perfect Score Join film scholars Luka Arsenjuk and Tim Palmer with host Andy Nelson for an exciting exploration of heist films. From meticulous planning to dramatic execution, this subgenre has captivated audiences for decades with its clever schemes, charismatic criminals, and intricate plots. The conversation delves into what…

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A Beautiful Year (with Diana Butler Bass) | Ep. 59 1:30:06

2M ago1:30:06

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What if beauty isn’t something we chase, but something that’s been waiting for us all along? In this episode of Cabernet & Pray, we sit down with author and theologian Diana Butler Bass to talk about what it means to truly live a beautiful year. We discuss how joy, grief, and gratitude can all coexist at the same table. We explore what happens when…

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Night Moves Season 5 Episode 6 1:59:04

2M ago1:59:04

1:59:04

Big Speakeasy welcome to our wonderful guest co host Carlos!! He has been a supporter of the show since day one so it was great pleasure for him to spend some time with us. We had such a wonderful time talking to him about film, weather, indie film and general shenanigans! Oh - and the classic Night Moves! Night Moves is a 1975 American neo-noir th…

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Separation of Church and Hate (with John Fugelsang) | Ep. 58 1:03:02

3M ago1:03:02

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What happens when Christianity gets weaponized for political gain? When culture wars hijack the gospel of love? In this episode, we unpack John Fugelsang's book, Separation of Church and Hate, exploring why following Jesus might actually mean breaking up with some forms of Christianity. Pour a glass, lean in, and let’s talk about what it really mea…

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The Fellowship of Guilt | Ep. 57 28:43

3M ago28:43

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What if doing the right thing still made you guilty? Dietrich Bonhoeffer believed that following Jesus sometimes meant stepping straight into the mess—into what he called “the fellowship of guilt.” But was he right? In this episode, we grapple with one of the most challenging ethical questions in the Christian narrative: Can faithfulness ever neces…

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India’s Angry Young Man: Amitabh Bachchan's Revolutionary Voice with Shivendra Singh Dungarpur 1:32:12

3M ago1:32:12

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In the turbulent landscape of 1970s India, a powerful cinematic movement emerged that would forever change the face of Bollywood—the Angry Young Man. This episode of Cinema Scope delves deep into this revolutionary movement through the lens of its most iconic star, Amitabh Bachchan, whose commanding presence and intense performances defined an era …

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Series 5: Episode 5: FRESH 1:05:20

3M ago1:05:20

1:05:20

This week our shady hosts explore the freaky world of #freshfilm Carly discovers a secret world of apple tasting grapes and supermarket shenanigans whilst Jason grapple with WiFi both on and off screen!

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A Rewatchable Conversation.... From Clockwork Orange to Life of Brian 46:00

3M ago46:00

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In this episode of Movie Nerds, Kyle and Russel discuss movies we love to rewatch and what makes movie that way. Using 1998's The Big Lebowski and 2010's Scott Pilgrim vs The WOrld as conversation starters, they share their history with these rewatchable films, the types of movies that demand rewatchability, what qualities do movies like these have…

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Hell Bent (with Brian Recker) | Ep. 56 1:23:06

3M ago1:23:06

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What happens when Christians start rethinking the very idea of hell? In this episode of Cabernet and Pray, we sit down with Brian Recker to ask the questions many of us were told we weren’t allowed to ask. Is hell really eternal conscious torment? What about annihilation? Could universalism actually be more faithful to Jesus? And how do history, cu…

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A Controversial Conversation.... From Clockwork Orange to Life of Brian 39:44

4M ago39:44

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In this episode of Movie Nerds, Kyle and Russel discuss controversial films - what makes them so and how they change over time. Using 1979's Life of Brian and 1971's Clockwork Orange as conversation starters, they share their history with these controversial films, what makes the so, if they earned their controversial title, how the idea of "contro…

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Downsizing Evangelicalism (with Michelle Van Loon) | Ep. 55 1:00:05

4M ago1:00:05

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What if the shrinking of evangelicalism isn’t a crisis to be feared but an opportunity to rediscover something truer, leaner, and more like Jesus? In this episode, I sit down with author Michelle Van Loon to talk about what’s being lost, what’s worth keeping, and why smaller might actually be better for the future of faith. Grab a glass, pull up a …

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J-horror Unbound: Lindsay Nelson & Dr. Colette Balmain on Japanese Horror 2:24:08

4M ago2:24:08

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In this spine-chilling episode of Cinema Scope, Andy Nelson is joined by Lindsay Nelson, an expert in Japanese horror and popular culture, and Dr. Colette Balmain, a specialist in East Asian cinema and cultures, to take listeners on a deep dive into the eerie world of J-horror. Together, they unravel the origins, evolution, and lasting impact of th…

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Season 5: Episode 4: Please Murder Me 56:00

4M ago56:00

56:00

You might want to murder us after this delve into the classic noir starring our mystery sleuthing favs...In this episode Jason is haunted by Carly's nans spirit after he reprimands Raymond Burr and we dive into Please Murder Me!

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Falcon Lake - Ep. 61 50:55

4M ago50:55

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This episode will cover Canada's most popular and well documented UFO encounter. On May 20,1967, Stefan Michalak witnessed something that would change his life and continue to affect him and his family for decades to come. The majority of the research for this episode came from the book “When They Appeared” written by Stan Michalak (Stefan’s son) a…

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The Water Had Not Yet Turned into Wine | Ep. 54 35:13

4M ago35:13

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What if you’re not the same person you used to be—and that’s exactly the point? In this episode, I explore the strange and beautiful truth that growth requires us to let old versions of ourselves fade away, like water waiting to be turned into wine. From awkward past opinions (yes, I found some of mine in print!) to Taylor Swift lyrics and even a l…

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Buried Alive: The Kidnapping and Rescue of Barbara Jane Mackle - Ep. 60 1:41:10

5M ago1:41:10

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This episode is a listener request! “Buried Alive!” The phrase alone is terrifying, but for Barbara Mackle, this became her reality. In this episode, we will cover her horrific ordeal by sharing her story in some of her own words, giving you a firsthand account of her unimaginable experience. From the kidnapping to the aftermath, this is one you wi…

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Reviving the Golden Rule (with Andrew DeCort) | Ep. 53 1:36:00

5M ago1:36:00

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In this episode, we dig into why the most famous command in Christianity has become more of a coffee mug slogan than an actual way of life. We’ll explore how we’ve domesticated Jesus’ radical ethic into something polite and toothless… and what it would take to bring its wild, world-flipping power back. We’ll look at what happens when faith stops be…

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A Gene Hackman Conversation.... From Night Moves to Unforgiven 42:00

5M ago42:00

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In this episode of Movie Nerds, Kyle and Russel discuss the work of film legend Gene Hackman. Using 1975's Night Moves and 1992's Unforgiven as conversation starters, they share their history with watching Gene Hackman movies, what makes him standout and defines him as an actor, how his career changed over time, and some of our favs (and not so fav…

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Season 5: Episode 3: Deadline 50:43

5M ago50:43

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🎙️ Dark Stories, Sharp Banter | Welcome to the Speakeasy Noircast This week we explore Caravanning as Jason continues to grapple with the wonders of technology, so pull up a chair, pour yourself something strong, and slip into the shadows with us as we watch the 1952 Crime Noir Film Deadline! Come inside, sit down for a drink and join us while we d…

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The Good News About Evil | Ep. 52 30:25

5M ago30:25

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What if evil is never as strong as it seems? In this episode of Cabernet and Pray, we wade into the heaviness of the world (child trafficking, genocide, injustice) and wrestle with what it means to have hope in the face of it. We explore a surprising biblical theme that runs throughout the Psalms and the prophets. We consider Bonhoeffer’s call to j…

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Episode 11: The Child Within 1:57:30

6M ago1:57:30

1:57:30

Part-Time Detective Trevor Campbell ends up right where he started — but with a lot less to show for it. With fresh blood on his hands, he heads into the belly of the beast. Because when you can’t go big, you go home. This episode includes:Part-Time Detective Tips: 4 • Callbacks to the Mark II Super Computer: 1 • Mysterious Locations: 9 • Instances…

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Shame-Sex Attraction (with Lucas Wilson) | Ep. 51 1:21:34

6M ago1:21:34

1:21:34

What if we told the stories the church has tried to bury? In Episode 51 of Cabernet and Pray, I sit down with Lucas Wilson—academic, editor of Shame-Sex Attraction, and survivor. We dive into the sobering realities of conversion therapy, explore the toxic cocktail of shame and theology, and examine how fear—especially the fear of hell—is weaponized…

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Season Five: Episode Two Part Three : Sugar 58:34

6M ago58:34

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We are back again with an end in sight to the Sugar saga! We dive into the final of Sugar! With medium visits and Canadian invasions in between. Jason is mad at football and Carly is mad at the NFL but what do they think about the twist ending of Sugar? Spoilers gallor! Tucked into a smokey back alley, into a secluded room of an illicit speakeasy f…

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What Makes a Nation Christian? | Ep. 50 33:13

6M ago33:13

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Is America a Christian nation? In this bold milestone episode of Cabernet and Pray, we take a hard look at Jesus’ own criteria for judging nations from Matthew 25. Spoiler: Jesus doesn’t mention Supreme Court rulings, Ten Commandments in schools, or how many evangelicals show up to vote. He talks about the poor, the immigrant, the sick, and the pri…

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From Showgirls to The Thing... a Movie Reappraisal Conversation 40:42

6M ago40:42

40:42

In this episode of Movie Nerds, Kyle and Russel discuss movies that once everyone thought sucked but have since had a rethink. Using 1982's The Thing and 1995's Showgirls as conversation starters, they share their history with these movies, why they might not have been liked back in the day, the factors that go into movie hate, why movies get a rea…

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The Cosmic Christ and Concrete Jesus (with Kevin Sweeney) | Ep. 49 1:13:39

7M ago1:13:39

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What if there’s more to Jesus than the guy in sandals from Nazareth? In this episode, Kevin Sweeney returns to dive into the deep end of the theological pool—exploring the radical beauty of the Cosmic Christ and the liberating call of the Concrete Jesus. It’s the episode where mysticism meets justice, the black prophetic tradition meets the mystics…

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Episode 10: Fishing for Souls 59:27

7M ago59:27

59:27

After a short-lived aerial fantasia, Part-Time Detective Trevor Campbell smells a rat — or, in this case, a fish. The meta-narrative zooms out, and then an anonymous phone call snaps things into focus. But after a day of make believe, a surprise discovery delivers an unbelievable twist. This episode includes: Part-Time Detective Tips: 2 • Moments o…

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Found Footage Horror Unearthed: Ryan Verrill on Making Reality Terrifying 1:36:52

7M ago1:36:52

1:36:52

Grab your camera and brace yourself as host Andy Nelson and guest Ryan Verrill dive headfirst into the spine-chilling world of found footage horror—a subgenre that transformed home videos into nightmares and made us forever suspicious of that sound coming from the basement. The Evolution of Found Footage Horror From the shocking cultural impact of …

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The Paradox of Tolerance | Ep. 48 31:00

7M ago31:00

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What if loving your neighbor means confronting someone else? In this episode, Jeremy takes a deep dive into a misunderstood (and rarely discussed) concept in Christian ethics: the paradox of tolerance. What happens when hospitality toward one becomes hostility toward others? And what if Jesus intentionally excluded people... for the sake of the vul…

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Season 5: Episode 2: Part Two : Sugar 51:07

7M ago51:07

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*Warning Spoiler Alert!* Welcome back for another hour or so of mayhem and noir! We loved Sugar so much we made a part two! We talk late nights and early mornings! F1, glitzy, popcorn-less premiers.... But Jason has a confession to make... So does Carly.... She edited the music in the wrong place but what's Jason's?? Sugar is a 2024, genre-bending …

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From Blue Velvet to Mulholland Drive... a David Lynch Conversation 40:42

7M ago40:42

40:42

In this episode of Movie Nerds, Kyle and Russel discuss the work of film director David Lynch Using 1986's Blue Velvet and 2001's Mulholland Drive as conversation starters, they share their history with his filmography, what makes a "David Lynch" movie, why he's considered influential, and some of our favs (and not so favs) of his films. And of cou…

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Episode 9: The Content & The Carrier 1:07:48

7M ago1:07:48

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ORIGINAL AIR DATE: THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025 Part-Time Detective Trevor Campbell starts from the bottom and works his way up (WAY up) through back-issue stacks, thirsty correspondence, and other catalogued unmentionables. But when you’re finally at the top, there’s only one place left to go — and no amount of gymnastics training can soften that fall. …

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Rethinking and Rebuilding (with Josh Patterson) | Ep. 47 1:49:49

8M ago1:49:49

1:49:49

Ever wondered what happens when two theologically curious podcast hosts bring their shows together over a glass of wine? Episode 47 is part divine disruption, part spiritual therapy session, and 100% a good time. Jeremy Jernigan sits down with Josh Patterson of Rethinking Faith to talk about reconstructing theology, open and relational views of God…

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Blaxploitation's Empowered Gaze: Odie Henderson on Cinema's Bold Uprising 2:02:26

8M ago2:02:26

2:02:26

Join host Andy Nelson and Boston Globe film critic Odie Henderson for an electrifying exploration of Blaxploitation cinema, a revolutionary film movement that burst onto screens in the early 1970s. From its groundbreaking portrayal of Black heroes to its unforgettable soundtracks, this episode dives deep into how Blaxploitation challenged Hollywood…

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Mysterious Triangles - Ep. 59 1:06:28

8M ago1:06:28

1:06:28

It is safe to say that most have heard of the Bermuda Triangle, but have you heard of the Nevada Triangle? It's an area in America that stretches across part of the Sierra Nevada, where on average 3 planes go missing every month. What about the Michigan Triangle? A ship was found capsized with 11 crew members that just vanished. Or the Dragon’s Tri…

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Season 5: Episode 2: Sugar 1:17:10

8M ago1:17:10

1:17:10

Welcome back for another hour or so of mayhem and noir! This time we explore the tv series Sugar. Jason grapples with the NHS and Carly is faceless.... Sugar is a 2024, genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story set in Los Angeles,"[4] it follows John Sugar, a private investigator recruited by a wealthy movie producer to investi…

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Theology with Imagination (with Brian Zahnd) | Ep. 46 1:12:55

8M ago1:12:55

1:12:55

What happens when one of the most provocative theological voices of our time sits down with a glass of wine and reimagines everything? In this episode, Jeremy talks with Brian Zahnd about peacemaking, the prophetic role of the church, why evangelicalism may not recover, and what happens when we start to believe Jesus actually meant what he said. It…

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Episode 8: Respect the Banana 41:14

8M ago41:14

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EPISODE EIGHT: RESPECT THE BANANA ORIGINAL AIR DATE: TUESDAY, APR. 29, 2025 A strange (bunk)bedfellow sets Part-Time Detective Trevor Campbell on a new path — and an odd prescription. Upon infiltrating a secret society, all roads lead to tropical fruit. And an especially significant broom closet. And then the curtain drops — and everything changes.…

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Curiosity and Poor Eyesight | Ep. 45 30:43

9M ago30:43

30:43

What if the only thing separating you from deeper faith… is your doubt? In this episode, we uncork the connection between spiritual curiosity and our inability to see clearly — and why that’s not a flaw, but a feature of real theology. Jesus doesn’t demand certainty. He invites wonder. Click here to watch the episode on video. -------------- Join t…

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Fake Bands in Film... a Conversation with a Special Guest 44:26

9M ago44:26

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In this episode of Movie Nerds, Kyle and Russel are joined by a special guest - former owner of Pic-A-Flic Kent Bendall to dig into movies showcasing fake bands. Using 1996's That Thing You Do! and 2001's Josie and the Pussycats as conversation starters, they share the similarities between fake and real musical biopics, what we like/hate about them…

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Victoria Movie Nerd Spotlight on Kent Bendall 12:19

9M ago12:19

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A special spotlight episode of Movie Nerds sets its sights on a local movie nerd - Kent Bendall. He is a cherished figure in Victoria, British Columbia, renowned for his dedication to film culture and community engagement. As the former owner and operator of Pic-A-Flic Video, he played a pivotal role in sustaining one of Canada's last independent v…