This episode was sparked by the number of recent movies and sequels that just ended up being disappointing. We dive into the factors that may contribute to the production of bad movies (quality and content wise) and the challenges the audience may face in navigating them. At the end we turn the conversation to an unexpected comparison—the church's …

In this episode, we explore the 1975 sci-fi film Rollerball through our SMART framework, focusing on its portrayal of a dystopian future where corporations control everything, including the brutal sport at the center of the story. We discuss the journey of Jonathan E., a superstar athlete caught in the deadly corporate-controlled sport, who struggl…

In this episode, we dive into The Mitchells vs. The Machines, exploring how this animated film cleverly critiques our reliance on technology while also reflecting on family dynamics. Katie Mitchell, an aspiring filmmaker, has her relationship with her family tested when their road trip collides with a tech apocalypse. Through Katie and her father R…

In this Father’s Day episode, we discuss the beloved film "Hook." Peter Banning, a work-absorbed lawyer, rediscovers his true identity as Peter Pan after his children are kidnapped by Captain Hook. In Neverland, Peter confronts his past, battles Hook, and ultimately chooses family over career, finding joy in fatherhood. The film emphasizes the impo…

To celebrate Mother’s Day, in this podcast episode, we discuss Disney’s Brave and explore its depiction of parent-child relationships. We follow Merida, a skilled archer navigating her mother Elinor’s expectations for her future as a queen, which leads to conflict and a magical mishap turning Elinor into a bear. As they strive to undo the spell and…

Help guide our mission! Offer your feedback and ideas on the Google Form below: Survey: What would you like to see from Parable Arrows? In this episode, Josh and Femi discuss the real life drama film A Good Person. Josh and Femi discuss how to balance accountability with loving support, the cost of living a new life, and why meditating on the world…

Upcoming FREE Events! Signal in the Noise - Join the Parable Arrows team for a presentation, panel, and round table discussion on using the media you consume to deepen relationships. April 13th, 2024 - 10-12PM @ Eastbrook Church in Milwaukee 5353 N Green Bay Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53209 May 18th, 2024 - 10-12PM @ High Point Church in Madison 7702 Old S…

They Cloned Tyrone is a modern sci-fi thriller that explores the lasting impacts of racism by following Fontain, a drug dealer in a neighborhood called the Glen and his terrifying discovery of who is pulling the strings behind some of the strange occurances he has witnessed. Josh and Femi are joined this week by Jac'Quon, Josh's friend from his chu…

Zach is Josh's younger brother and a current full time missionary with the organization YWAM. (Youth with a Mission). When he's not doing the Lord's work (literally), he enjoys anime, manga, and fighting games. In this episode, Josh and Zach talk about their observations about media literacy in our current audience culture and why it is an importan…

A holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life follows George Bailey: family man and community pillar as he wrestles with the deep fear that he has wasted his life. In this episode of the podcast, Josh and Femi discuss why doing the little things in life well matters, the importance of encouraging loved ones sooner than later, and embracing the value God…

On the surface, Lars and the Real Girl may seem like a film treading a fine line between real and raunchy. But, below the odd premise is a heart wrenching story about family and community sacrificing to radically love a deeply hurting Lars. In this episode, Josh and Femi discuss the role of the church, how we can love people going through uncomfort…

Before it was even released, Barbie was considered a contentious movie, especially among Christian circles. Now with it's digital release, the Parable Arrows team wanted to put this film to the test: Was Barbie really an anti-men film and feminist propaganda? Or was it a movie posing thought provoking questions about identity that are Biblically ac…

God is the giver of all talents and gifts. When we see the gifts in others, it is logical and easy for us to want to encourage a certain life path. However, what if that is not the way the person wants their life to go? In this episode, Josh and Femi discuss the 2017 film Gifted with Chris Evans. They discuss the question above and more as they ana…

Over the summer, Josh and Parable Arrows first ever intern Aidan recorded video versions of our podcast. Our first discussion was with multimedia talent Byron, aka B-Rut. We covered the power of film, what it means to be shrewd in business as a Christian, the importance of faith AND action together, and the way God calls us to be about his mission.…

If you are a long time fan, you may have noticed that most of our episodes revolve around the stories in movies. However, we believe that stories in any medium can be used to have deeper discussions around God and the human experience. In this episode, Josh is joined by Jordan Mefford, who played multiple roles in Parable Arrows' first short film, …

Josh often mentions on the podcast that his favorite show of all time is the anime Attack on Titan. It's a strange show that is characterized by visceral action, espionage, and themes that explore the depravity of humankind. In this episode, Josh K is joined by Josh S, co-worker and fellow mega-fan of Attack on Titan. In this episode, the Joshes do…

Black Panther was a cultural moment upon its release. Featuring the late Chadwick Boseman as its titular protagonist, the film celebrated black culture, challenged what it looks like to be a good leader, and offered a look at how leaders can do a better job of serving the ones they are over. This episode, Josh and Femi are joined by the amazing Joh…

World War 2 is a tricky moment in history to poke fun at. And yet, somehow, Director Taika Waititi does so in a way that is meaningful and challenges who and what we put our faith in. In this episode, Josh and Femi discuss how adults need to steward our relationships with youth, why Jesus is worth following, and how to be confident when we have fou…

In this unique episode, Femi and Josh are joined by some of the Parable Arrows' team to talk about their favorite movies, shows, and stories that have impacted them. Shoutouts to Josh Erickson (@itsjpk_), Jordan Mefford (@broken_tile_games), and Preston Bousley (@bousleyproductions) for joining us! Website: https://www.parablearrows.com/ Sabbath of…

Revolutionary in its flashy comic book style of animation, Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse was a hit across fans young and old. Following the story of new Spider-Man Miles Morales, Into the Spider Verse covers themes from finding your place in the world, identity, loving others, and having faith in your calling. Join Femi and Josh in this episode…

When Inside Out first released, the idea of little brightly colored charaters running around our brain space made so much sense. Feeling angry? Must be the little angry man inside my head--not me. Or, if you grew up in church, sometimes certain emotions were pinned to be all good or all bad. Sadness? No room for that. But, Inside Out offers an accu…

Merry Christmas from Parable Arrows! But, what is Christmas ACTUALLY about? Many church going folks would say the birth of Jesus, others might say getting together with family. In our modern age, how can we practically celebrate the true meaning of Christmas? This question and more are explored as Josh and Femi discuss an old time favorite from our…

Way back a few episodes ago, our fathers graciously made the time to join us on a podcast. Femi's dad shared that his favorite story is Les Miserables, and naturally, we had to spill the beans this episode was in the works. Now, it's finally here! A story of redemption, sacrificial kindness, restored hope, and second chances, Les Miserables covers …

The Parable Arrows team has been blessed over the last few months by a number of talented individuals working behind the scenes to push our mission forward. One such person is Preston Bousley, a passionate film maker and freelancer. In this conversation, Preston and Josh cover the future of story telling, how Christians can continue to push creativ…

Everything Everywhere All at Once is not a family friendly film. It has crass humor, dark themes, and a load of wacky violence that would make Grandma blush. And it is easily one of the best films that has been released in a number of years. This film is geared towards a mature audience and wrestles with ideas like the multiverse (no, not like Marv…

In this special episode of the Parable Arrows podcast, Josh and Femi are joined by their Dads! The four of them talk about story, why we should care about who or what is the hero of a story, and how parents with different convictions of what media is ok or not ok can come together to honor and love each other amidst there differences. Website: http…

Now a Dreamworks mega-franchise, How to Train Your Dragon started as a humble story of one young man, Hiccup, standing up for what was right and using his gifts in a community that didn't accept him for who he was. By embracing his skills, even though they were different than the norm of his community, Hiccup inspired lasting change for his friends…

Email: parablearrows@gmail.com Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @parablearrows Website: https://www.parablearrows.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parablearrows Store: https://parablearrows.store/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parablearrowsBy Josh K and Femi S

Peter Bible Verses Google Slides Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HD_PoELDXpIrxT6rf_LdeIeCHGRgae9DSsshYzn9uh8/edit?usp=sharing Email: parablearrows@gmail.com Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @parablearrows Website: https://www.parablearrows.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parablearrows Store: https://parablearrows.store/ Patreon:…

If anyone knows about Fight Club, they know that the first rule is you don't talk about it. Well, we recorded a podcast about it, so I guess we're out of the club. In this episode inspired by "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill" podcast, Josh and Femi talk about the themes of Fight Club, how lauding the film and its themes in a church context could be …

Buckle up 90s kids, we're taking a swim in the nostalgia tank! In Free Willy, a film where Jesse, a young boy, befriends Willy, a performing killer whale, the story revolves around seeing the good in others. The film explores how encouraging others and building up the good in them can help them reach new heights. In this episode, Femi and Josh disc…

Email: parablearrows@gmail.com Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @parablearrows Website: https://www.parablearrows.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parablearrows Store: https://parablearrows.store/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parablearrowsBy Josh K and Femi S

Email: parablearrows@gmail.com Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @parablearrows Website: https://www.parablearrows.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parablearrows Store: https://parablearrows.store/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parablearrowsBy Josh K and Femi S

Email: parablearrows@gmail.com Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @parablearrows Website: https://www.parablearrows.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parablearrows Store: https://parablearrows.store/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parablearrowsBy Josh K and Femi S

Email: parablearrows@gmail.com Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @parablearrows Website: https://www.parablearrows.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parablearrows Store: https://parablearrows.store/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parablearrowsBy Josh K and Femi S

Email: parablearrows@gmail.com Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @parablearrows Website: https://www.parablearrows.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parablearrows Store: https://parablearrows.store/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parablearrowsBy Josh K and Femi S

Jesus tells the parable of two men: one with a speck in his eye and one with a plank. The parable was aimed at a specific audience of Jesus' day (Hint: They weren't big fans of him) and was intended to encourage a change in perspective and behavior towards ourselves. Join Josh and Femi as they discuss the Parable of the Plank and the Speck. Email: …

Don't worry, our deep dive discussions into stories are not going away! Rather, we are adding a new stream of content to the podcast! Introducing: Bolts. Bolts will be short, 15ish minute discussions of Bible stories and lessons we can learn from them. As a reminder, we are not doctorate theologians, just two guys who love God, his people, and the …

Remember, remember, the 5th of November! The 2005 film starring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman shows the dangers of fear to a society. Whether in the mind of the average citizen or a deranged dictator, fear drives us to selfishness and forgetfulness of the humanity in others. In this episode, Femi and Josh discuss the importance of Jesus as a rea…

Encanto took the world by storm with its catchy soundtrack and lovable characters. Underneath its approachable exterior, Encanto addresses important issues like social pressure and exclusion when we don't measure up. In this episode, Femi and Josh discuss the film's themes of family, expectations, and generational healing. Supporting Scripture: Gen…

Book of Eli is a film full of interesting themes about faith and power. Femi and Josh discuss how Book of Eli uses the Bible as a key player in one man's journey to selflessly preserve the sacred text and another's obsessive grasping for absolute power. Supporting Scripture: Acts 28:3-6 / James 5:17 / Daniel 1-6 / Hebrews 4:12 / 2 Timothy 4 Website…

The 2017 thriller Get Out took the film world by storm. Written and directed by Jordan Peele, Femi and Josh discuss how Get Out explores themes of knowing your traumas, the consequences of shallow relationships, and why vulnerability in interpersonal connections is important. Supporting Scripture: Genesis 39 / Judges 16 / Genesis 25-27 / Romans 10 …

Toy Story follows Buzz and Woody, two, well, toys, who are dragged into a dangerous adventure out of jealousy, insecurity, and an inability to tell reality from imagination. In this episode, Josh and Femi discuss how we can challenge our perception of how the world "should" be, so in a healthy way we can embrace how it "is." Supporting Scripture: 1…

Justin Khoe (pronounced ku) is a Digital Missionary across YouTube and social media. In this episode, he and Josh discuss the importance stories play in our humanity, why God would craft most of the Bible narratively, and thematic ideas Christian storytellers can explore to capture more honest, authentic stories about what it means to follow Jesus.…

TENET, the most recent Christopher Nolan film, may seem like a confusing time romp. But, below the surface of time pincer movements and fights played in reverse, TENET is a story about hope, doing the right thing regardless of mounting dangers, and seeking the greater good over one's personal desires. Supporting Scripture: Ephesians 6 - Being Prepa…

Parasite is an Academy Award winning film by director Bong Joon-ho that says a lot about social structures, inequality, and the consequences of both the poor and wealthy living without a plan. Like one of Jesus's parables, Parasite is complex, nuanced, and full of little details trying to open our eyes to the ills of our world. Supporting Scripture…

Language and communication: we all know we use both to ask people where the bathroom is, what someone's name is, or how they are doing. But, language and communication are complicated. Both change across cultures, religious beliefs, etc. So, when talking about deep and substantial topics, shouldn't it be our primary goal to make sure we communicate…

Pixar's Soul departs from the studio's past works by telling a story that is whimsical to kids and deeply real for adults. Known most for fantastical tales and talking toys, Soul is an animated film wrestling with personal and complicated topics: meaning, purpose, and what in our life should define those terms. In this episode, Josh and Femi discus…

2020 and 2021 were years that will sadly be categorized by hate, division, and distrust. In Disney's 2021 fantasy movie Raya and the Last Dragon, the creative team tackled a huge and very relevant set of questions: What breeds distrust? What does it take to overcome personal wounds? How do we truly bring people deeply at odds back together? Using t…

The Bible talks a lot about freedom, but usually not in the way common to Americans, including the American church. In this follow up discussion to a video Josh and Femi recorded last year, they do their best to tackle the nuances surrounding America, Freedom, and the Gospel. What does the Bible suggest to be proper expressions of freedom? How shou…