JR. is starting a new venture centered around board games! Since Kathy's on the road, Matt and JR. explore what exactly Game Nights with JR. is and how you can be part of it! PLUS: Election security!

Two years after the Dobbs decision allowed individual states to determine access and restrictions to abortion care, people of faith are still learning what an abortion is and isn't and learning what the consequences are when people who don't understand reproduction and healthcare make the rules. Whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, take a listen as we talk with Elaina Ramsey, the executive director of Fath Choice Ohio, about the intersection of faith and reproductive healthcare.

Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Emily Nussbaum joins us to explore the roots of reality television. Forget the Real World - reality tv started way earlier than you think. And there's a paradox at the heart of the genre Emily's new book, Cue the Sun, invites us to sit with. We explore everything from Candid Camera to Hell's Kitchen to Love is Blind. Whether you're part of Bachelor Nation or couldn't care less about which housewives are real, this episode will surprise and delight!

What's the best movie to watch at Christmas? What about Easter? Film Critic Abby Olcese's answers might surprise you. In her new book, FILMS FOR ALL SEASONS, she explores movies that help us engage the story of the Church year. From Advent to Lent, Easter and Pentecost all the way to All Saints' Day, Abby offers up the most surprising and insightful films that help us know Jesus more fully than ever.

Andrea Stewart is back with the first book in a dark new trilogy. Why would she ever decide to write another epic fantasy trilogy? What will she do if TikTok gets banned? And how does she navigate the power she wields as an author? All this and more on the new episode!

Jason Pargin returns to the show! His latest standalone novel is an uproarious takedown of internet culture. If anyone knows just how insidious social media has become, it's Pargin, who's been on just about every platform that's existed. In spite of all that, he remains shockingly optimistic about the potential we have for meaningful connections. PLUS: a surprise guest host!

S. B. Divya returns to the show to take us on a whirlwind tour of far-future Earth. Her latest novel explores the nature of choice and consent, as well as what it's like to persist in the face of disability. Plus: has she figured out what dark matter is? (No, but wait till you hear about the short story she's working on!) All this and more!

We're back! Season 13 is the march to episode 400! We get back together to review what we missed this summer - especially all that political turmoil. Then we review a surprising summer movie box office and give you a preview of what's coming up this season. All this and more on the season premier!

The Planet of the Apes franchise has a strange staying power. With the release of the latest (ninth!) film, we review the long, odd history of the franchise - including its mixed success with social commentary. Then we dive into the new film, which embodies the best and worst tendencies of its predecessors. PLUS: a Planet of the... Kyles?

What would happen if we reimagined church from the ground up? Jazz musician and pastor Mark Glanville joins us for our second installment of Faith After Church. How has jazz helped Mark totally rethink what Church can look like? We should mention that Mark brought his piano...

How should we respond to the genocide in Gaza? We explore the complexities of US foreign policy, the origins of Evangelical Zionism and its anti-Semitic nature. What responsibility do we have? What can we do?

Is there a church anywhere in the world where single Christians are flourishing? Why are churches so indifferent - or outright hostile - to the unique struggles and strengths of single Christians? Anna Broadway joins us to share her round-the-globe tour of Christian singledom. PLUS: you won't believe how Anna met Kathy. And there's a certain book award we have to talk about!

Talking heads all over the country are warning we're headed for a second civil war. So is a movie called CIVIL WAR about exactly that a good idea? Kathy and JR. consider how that may be the wrong question as we explore Alex Garland's latest film from A24. What does it have to say about journalism? About politics? About being American?

What does faith look like when the church fails us? We reflect on our faith journeys - how we've all moved out of the institutional church in different ways. We explore what that has looked like, consider the state of our faith now and imagine what comes next. Join us for part one of a two-part discussion!

Some say we're living in the age of remakes, reboots and legacequels, but the truth is that we've been retelling stories since that first "Once Upon a Time..." In honor of the release of JAMES, the new retelling of Huckleberry Finn, we explore why we enjoy retelling stories, what separates the good retellings from the soulless remakes and even... what happens when the Bible reinterprets itself!

Why isn't police reform happening? Despite massive waves of sustained protest around the country, policing seems to be stuck. Dr. Daniel Reinhardt, an officer for 20 years, insists the problem is the internal culture of policing. How can we change that? Daniel joins us to explore what ordinary citizens can do to make real, systemic change.

It's the annual Fascinating Pop Culture Madness tournament. From Prince Harry to the boat-killing Orcas to the best T-Swift Team up, our patented, professionally calibrated bracket leaves nothing to chance. Listen up and get ready to cast your vote in the final game. Who will reign supreme this year? It's up to you!

Why are the people with the most power so often the most miserable? Author Naomi Kanakia joins us to reflect on the way oppression hurts everyone - even those who oppress. We also explore the possible limits of found family and what's so great about the so-called Great Books.

Ben Winters returns to the show! He's the creator and executive producer of the hit new CBS show TRACKER. He's got oodles of Audible original short novels! And his latest novel, BIG TIME just dropped! Will Ben reveal the secrets of his prolific career? Is it possible he is releasing something else this year? Just how long ago was the 90s, exactly? All this and more in his triumphant return!

This weekend is St. Patrick's Day - but beyond the green and the clovers, what is Patrick all about? Host Matt Mikalatos takes us into his new book, Praying with St. Patrick, to discover what wisdom Patrick has to offer for us today!

Killers of the Flower Moon is getting a lot of attention in awards season - and a lot of praise for its depiction of Native Americans. But Dr. Randy Woodley, Indigenous screenwriter and activist, cautious us against rushing to heap praise upon Martin Scorsese's latest. We welcome Randy to share his experience in the film industry and how he has navigated the conversations around this film.

The gang is back! In a season premier tradition, we catch up on what we missed on break. Then Matt challenges JR. and Kathy with some slang new and old. And of course, a feral hog update.

It's the last episode of the season - and the year! On our season finale, we count down our favorite books, movies and more. Plus, we share some of YOUR picks!

Surrogacy is an act of service for another, one that involves a whole body, and two families. What are the ethics of surrogacy? And why don't our laws reflect the modern science of surrogacy? How can surrogacy be unjust? Dr. Grace Kao joins us to explore the complexity of this act. PLUS: some of our least favorite Christmas traditions!