Best Joshua Banner Podcasts (2024)

1
War of the Worlds (2005) 1:52:37

15d ago1:52:37

1:52:37

We finish the tub of Neopolitan Spielberg trilogy by saving the best (chocolate) for last: his 2005 adaptation of WAR OF THE WORLDS. Together with returning guest Harley Mumford (of the fabulous Fandomentals podcast), we talk through the various different interpretations of H.G. Wells’ 1897 classic—particularly Orson Welles’ (no relation) infamous …

1
On Becoming a Human Being Fully Alive - Makoto Fujimura No. 96 1:02:21

26d ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Josh talks with painter, author, arts advocate Makoto Fujimura about the connections between creativity and prayer. To introduce Makoto Josh offers a reflection on Makoto as a 'worldly mystic,' how he offers for us in his paintings and writings ways to rediscover our own sacred yet earthly existence.The video referenced "Mako Fujimura's Golden Sea"…

1
The Terminal (2004) 1:44:24

1M ago1:44:24

1:44:24

It’s time to check in with Steven Spielberg’s 2004 comedy-drama THE TERMINAL, the second part in our Neapolitan Spielberg trilogy. The ‘vanilla’ section of the trio is a rare Amblin joint where we have quite different opinions on the movie, and to help us unpack our feelings is our guest; friend, musician and one half of the Ramblin-theme composing…

1
Getting Honest with God & Belonging to Myself w/ Kristi Hepp No. 95 1:17:24

2M ago1:17:24

1:17:24

Josh talks with Kristi Hepp about her new record "In Between the Gardens." This is the third episode that maps Josh's history with Oklahoma City where Kristi originally hails from. The focus question of this episode is the focus question of Kristi's record, what is a human being fully alive? In this episode, we discuss whether we could make a recor…

1
Catch Me If You Can (2002) 1:47:35

2M ago1:47:35

1:47:35

We kick off the first chapter in our self-coined ‘Neapolitan Spielberg trilogy’ with the strawberry of the trio, the beard’s 2002 con-man caper ‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. To join us in tracking down the tale of putting the story of Frank William Abagnale Jnr to the screen is film historian and musical expert Mi…

1
Suffering & The Mystical Body of Christ w/ Charlie Hall No. 94 1:19:56

2M ago1:19:56

1:19:56

What do we do with suffering? Why would we want to cooperate with the pain? How can suffering be helpful? There are many reasons to be concerned with the way organized religion handles these very vulnerable questions. In this episode, I talk with worship leader Charlie Hall, an old friend about these things. That we can engage such vulnerabilities …

1
The Jesus Prayer & the Philokalia w/ Brock Bingaman No. 93 1:15:54

3M ago1:15:54

1:15:54

This is a conversation I had with Brock Bingaman, pastor of All Saints Community Church in Oklahoma City, on the Jesus Prayer and a book he co-edited on the Philokalia. Brock is an old friend I was glad to reconnect with for this conversation. Maybe breath prayer could be especially helpful for your Lenten journey this year? Books recommended in th…

1
Screwing Around With Our Dependencies in Lent No. 92 33:23

3M ago33:23

33:23

This episode is a meditation on screwing with our dependencies in Lent.In the language of the Twelve Steps of addiction recovery: we are powerless over our drug of choice, and our lives as we know them are unmanageable. The purpose of Lent is to subvert our addictions that we might become more dependent upon the love of God. But we cannot do this e…

1
Men in Black II (2002) 1:50:29

3M ago1:50:29

1:50:29

We’re back - in black - to get things rolling for Ramblin in 2024. We’re checking in with the MIB franchise, investigating the bad case of sequelitius that seems to have infected the Barry Sonnenfeld directed follow up to the 1997 sci-fi comedy classic. Both Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return from Amblin past, and so does our guest -critic and b…

1
Advent Meditations Pt VI Before God We Are Always Beginners No. 91 8:01

5M ago8:01

8:01

This is the conclusion of a six-part series of Advent meditations using the Invitation prayer guide, 40 Ways to Spend 5 Minutes with God. In this episode, Josh reads from the end of the prayer guide a reflection on how before God we are always beginners. This prayer guide, first written in 2015 has been substantially re-written with new prayer prac…

1
Minority Report (2002) 2:04:40

5M ago2:04:40

2:04:40

This Christmas, everybody runs - particularly everyone's favourite Hollywood cross country champ Tom Cruise. It is time to wave our hands in the hand and catch the red ball that is Steven Spielberg’s ‘MINORITY REPORT’ the sci-fi action-thriller based on the short story by Phillip K. Dick. To join us in unpacking this vision of the future is our pal…

1
Advent Meditations Pt V Longing & Expectation in our SOUL No. 90 9:26

5M ago9:26

9:26

Let's return to prayer, to longing and expectation with our strength during Advent.In this meditation, Josh offers a short meditation of praying with the soul. We attended to our bodies in the previous episode. We are bodies. We are also souls. This is the fifth of a six-part series of Advent meditations using the Invitation prayer guide, 40 Ways t…

1
Advent Meditations Pt IV Longing & Expectation in our STRENGTH No. 89 8:00

5M ago8:00

8:00

Let's return to prayer, to longing and expectation with our strength during Advent.In this meditation, Josh offers a short meditation of praying with our strength, in and through our bodies. This is the fourth of a six-part series of Advent meditations using the Invitation prayer guide, 40 Ways to Spend 5 Minutes with God.This prayer guide, first w…

1
Advent Meditations Pt III Longing & Expectation in our MINDS No. 88 8:42

5M ago8:42

8:42

Let's return to prayer, to longing and expectation in our MINDS during Advent.In this meditation, Josh offers a short meditation of praying with the heart. This is the second of a six-part series of Advent meditations using the Invitation prayer guide, 40 Ways to Spend 5 Minutes with God.This prayer guide, first written in 2015 has been substantial…

1
Advent Meditations Pt II Longing & Expectation in our Hearts No. 87 8:32

5M ago8:32

8:32

Let's return to prayer, to longing and expectation in our hearts during Advent.In this meditation, Josh offers a short meditation of praying with the heart. This is the second of a six-part series of Advent meditations using the Invitation prayer guide, 40 Ways to Spend 5 Minutes with God.This prayer guide, first written in 2015 has been substantia…

1
Advent 2023 Meditations with New Prayer Guide! No. 86 32:13

5M ago32:13

32:13

In this episode, Josh offers the first of a six-part series of Advent meditations using the Invitation prayer guide, 40 Ways to Spend 5 Minutes with God. This prayer guide, first written in 2015 has been substantially re-written. You can download a digital copy of the guide at https://theinvitationcenter.org/downloadsThe Invitation is a spiritualit…

1
Jurassic Park III (2001) 1:56:58

5M ago1:56:58

1:56:58

This time it’s not just a walk in the park. The same could be said for the production of ‘JURASSIC PARK III’ - the third entry in the Jurassic franchise, directed by Joe Johnsotn. We get into its turbulent journey to the screen with returning guest David from Jurassic Collectables (@JurassicCollect), musing on the film that could have been, reminis…

1
God is able 5:57

6M ago5:57

5:57

Whether you're seeking spiritual enlightenment, searching for answers, or simply curious about the realm of faith and miracles, "God Is Able" will provide you with thought-provoking discussions and heartwarming stories that reaffirm the age-old truth that with God, all things are possible.

1
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) 1:51:27

6M ago1:51:27

1:51:27

Cirrus. Socrates. Particle. Decibel. Hurricane. Dolphin. Tulip. Ramblin. Listener. Ramblin. Now we’ve got that out of the way, it’s time to get serious about Papa Spielberg’s first offering of the new millennium: 2001’s moody, existentially shattering A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Beginning as a short story in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar in the ea…

1
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000) 1:47:23

7M ago1:47:23

1:47:23

Bright light city is gonna set my soul on fire. But will The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas have the same incendiary effect? We’re back in the podcastin’ business and back in Bedrock for Brian Levant’s prequel, swapping out the original crew for newer, younger, improved(?) models to see how Fred, Barney, Wilma and Betty all got together in the firs…

1
From Repentance to Reparations to Reconciliation to Repast w/ Greg Thompson Pt II No. 85 1:06:29

9M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

Josh and Greg explore Greg's discernment to divest his ordination, leave local church ministry to explore different creative approaches to healing racism. Previously Greg had described his mission in the three elements of the political, the contemplative, and the convivial. Here in part two Greg casts the vision of moving from repentance to reparat…

1
Getting Vulnerable w/ Greg Thompson Pt I No. 84 51:39

9M ago51:39

51:39

In this episode Josh opens up a conversation with Greg Thompson about his book co-authored with Duke Kwon, Reparations: A Christian Call to Repentance & Repair. Yet in the process of attempting to create a conversation about healing the ravages of white supremacy, Josh is confronted with his own personal instability. Does he belong to himself enoug…

1
Review of the 90s (Part II) 2:07:58

9M ago2:07:58

2:07:58

Like any good blockbuster these days, we split our 90s review in two and have now come to the final chapter of Amblin’s most prolific decade. Strap in as we gun it to 88 to cover such great topics as our biggest cry, the worst film of decade, best dog, favourite performance and of course, reveal the listener’s top five Amblin movies of the 90s. We …

1
Review of the 90s (Part I) 1:06:25

10M ago1:06:25

1:06:25

Get ready for the first instalment in our two-part 90s review lollapalooza. We at Ramblin wanted to give the 90s the send off it deserved, and boy did we ramble. So much so that there’s just too much good stuff to pack into one episode - so let’s spread the joy and celebrate the most prolific decade of Amblin’s history so far in two epic parts, wit…

1
In Dreams (1999) 1:24:40

10M ago1:24:40

1:24:40

It’s time for us to close the book (well, almost) on the 1990s, the most fruitful span of time for Amblin so far. That the film that sees us do this is Neil Jordan’s deeply bizarre supernatural psychological thriller IN DREAMS feels wholly appropriate for such a far-reaching, uneven and frequently unwieldy decade. Together we figuratively go bobbin…

1
Saving Private Ryan (1998) 2:21:56

11M ago2:21:56

2:21:56

Papa Spielberg returns with his blistering take on the WWII drama, 1998’s SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, so we enlist the help of Mike West (@Mike333West) to wade through this deeply influential, almost-Best Picture-winning movie. Together we talk about the revolutionary portrayal of the D-Day landings, the contributions of the extensive cast and the reactio…

1
Spiritual Friendship w/ Josh Bottomly Episode No. 83 1:06:40

11M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Josh has a conversation with his best friend about their 30+ years of spiritual friendship since they met at summer camp in middle school. This episode is a co-release with the Awakening, a worship/arts camp for high school students based at Hope College. Promo vid: https://youtu.be/6-aewn-cgIoFor more information about the Awakening: https://hope.…

1
The Mask of Zorro (1998) 2:13:47

12M ago2:13:47

2:13:47

It’s time to enter the lair of the fox, as we welcome back guest and Ramblin artist Emily Tatham to discuss Martin Campbell’s THE MASK OF ZORRO. We get unapologetically lustful over what is one of the last great sexy blockbusters of recent memory, diving into the history of Zorro on screen, the sizzling star power of Antonio Banderas and Catherine …

1
Small Soldiers (1998) 1:58:44

12M ago1:58:44

1:58:44

Big Action! Big Podcast! Small Soldiers! The Ramblin boys draw up battle plans to face Joe Dante’s final - at least for now - Amblin joint, the 1998 action-adventure SMALL SOLDIERS. We assemble an elite unit made up of returning guests Rhys Edwards and Dan Kelly to assist in taking down the Commando Elite and aiding the peaceful Gorgonites, as we c…

1
Men in Black (1997) 2:24:40

1y ago2:24:40

2:24:40

No, that’s not swamp gas from a weather balloon trapped in a thermal pocket and reflecting the light from Venus—it’s Ramblin’s episode on Barry Sonnenfeld’s 1997 masterpiece MEN IN BLACK! To join us in dissecting this perfect blockbuster (as though it were an expired Arquillian ambassador) is self-professed ‘Queen of the Dead’ Anna Bogustkaya, crit…

1
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) 1:28:26

1y ago1:28:26

1:28:26

We welcome you back once more to the Jurassic Park franchise as we make the journey to the dark and brooding shores of Isla Sorna for our episode on the 1997 sequel THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK, once again directed by Steven Spielberg with a script by David Koepp, based on the novel by Michael Crichton. Similarly, as The Lost World brings back Ian…

1
Forum on Spiritual Direction w/ Cami Beercroft Mann Ep 4a No. 82 1:04:14

1y ago1:04:14

1:04:14

Part II of the third conversation between Cami Beercroft Mann and Josh Banner for the series, the Forum on Spiritual Direction. We continue to tease out the meaning of the thesis of this series that spiritual direction can solve (almost) all of our problems.By Joshua Banner

1
The Trigger Effect (1996) 1:47:17

1y ago1:47:17

1:47:17

You're travelling through another dimension - a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, Ramblin! That’s right, it’s time to step through that scary door into the twilight zone of 1996 thriller THE TRIGGER EFFECT, screenwriter David Koepp’s feature directorial debut and an altoget…

1
Twister (1996) 1:55:08

1y ago1:55:08

1:55:08

Well shake it up, baby, now! Twist and shout! Yes, that’s right, it’s time to hunker down and strap yourself to a pipe as the Ramblin team go chasing that fabled F5 by tackling Jan de Bont’s wacky 1996 disaster-ish thriller-ish, TWISTER. The boys are joined by fellow tornado enthusiast Charlotte Bailey, and together they delve into the bonkers prod…

1
Balto (1995) 1:29:34

1y ago1:29:34

1:29:34

The bell has finally rung on Amblimation, as we reach the third and final film produced by the short-lived animation wing of Amblin Entertainment. It has been a rocky road for Spielberg’s attempt at tackling the animation market, but it tries to cut fresh tracks in the snow with the based-on-fact adventure BALTO, directed by Simon Wells and featuri…

1
How to Make an American Quilt (1995) 1:42:55

1y ago1:42:55

1:42:55

Young lovers seek perfection. Old lovers learn the art of sewing shreds together and of seeing beauty in a multiplicity of podcast ramblings. In this Ramblin episode, we thread together the connecting stories of Jocelyn Moorhouse’s HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, the 1995 adaptation of Whitney Otto’s novel, described by Amazon as a ‘gentle comedy’ W…

1
Forum on Spiritual Direction w/ Cami Beercroft Mann Ep 3 No. 81 58:27

1y ago58:27

58:27

Part I of the third conversation between Cami Beercroft Mann and Josh Banner for the series, the Forum on Spiritual Direction. We continue to tease out the meaning of the thesis of this series that spiritual direction can solve (almost) all of our problems.There are a few spots open for those wanting to spend time engaging the Forum on Spiritual Di…

1
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995) 1:41:54

1+ y ago1:41:54

1:41:54

No one say anything frivolous for the next few moments. We are having a significant experience! The Ramblin gang are back on the road of Amblin Entertainment. This time, we’re hitching a ride in a 1967 Cadillac Deville with drag queens Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze), Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes) and Chi Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) as we discuss…

1
Forum on Spiritual Direction w/ Cami Beercroft Mann Ep 2 No. 80 1:11:32

1+ y ago1:11:32

1:11:32

This is our second full conversation of the Forum on Spiritual Direction where we continue to discern the focus question for discernment, "Can Spiritual Direction Solve (Almost) All of Our Problems?" Cami and I engage in an extended contemplative conversation to discern and tease out the dignifying nature of spiritual direction. This is to say we t…

1
"Composting Failure" - Forum on Spiritual Direction No. 79 1:00:08

1+ y ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Spiritual Direction Can Solve (almost) All of the World's Problems.Can it?This episode something of an experiment for the Forum on Spiritual Direction. As I have struggled to accept my own failures, I offer some of my weaknesses and questions with you as an opportunity to explore the focus question of this series: can spiritual direction solve (alm…

1
The Bridges of Madison County (1995) 1:21:44

1+ y ago1:21:44

1:21:44

Happy Boxing Day to all the fellow Ramblers out there! In this festive tryst with an Amblin outlier, the boys head Iowa-ward with production manager extraordinaire and host of CineMortuary podcast Rob Yeomans (@dancinghenry) to document the storied BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. En route they talk about the historical perception of Clint Eastwood, swoo…

1
Casper (1995) 2:14:42

1+ y ago2:14:42

2:14:42

Things are getting benevolently spooky here at Amblin Manor, as the Ramblin boys welcome back returning guest Michael Perry to discuss Brad Silberling’s family comedy ‘CASPER’ released in the summer of 1995. The make-shift ghostly trio get cosy and warm with their nostalgia as they recount their tales of meeting the friendly ghost for the first tim…

1
Little Giants (1994) 1:42:44

1+ y ago1:42:44

1:42:44

Hut hut! It’s time for some football! Pee Wee football that is as we take to the field to discuss the 1994 sports family comedy ‘LITTLE GIANTS’, directed by Duwayne Dunham and starring Rick Moranis and Ed O’Neal as bickering brothers with rival Pee Wee football teams. Seeing as Andy and Josh's knowledge of NFL and American football is somewhat limi…

1
Forum On Spiritual Direction Intro w/ Cami Mann Pt 1b - NO. 78 1:08:06

1+ y ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Part II of what we are now calling a "prelude" to our new series, The Forum on Spiritual Direction. We continue to discuss can direction solve (almost) all of the world's problems?In this episode we move from considering Josh to focus on Cami's story, how she came to the practice of direction and how her practice is especially trauma informed.You a…

1
The Little Rascals (1994) 1:32:14

1+ y ago1:32:14

1:32:14

Good day, Ramblin fans, can we get an azooga!? We welcome you to the clubhouse as we assemble a group of little rascals to aptly chat about all things THE LITTLE RASCALS, the 1994 Penelope Spheeris-directed adaptation of the classic Hal Roach ‘Our Gang’ short films from the early era of Hollywood. In our clubhouse we welcome back returning guests J…

1
Forum On Spiritual Direction Intro w/ Cami Mann Pt 1a - NO. 77 1:01:11

1+ y ago1:01:11

1:01:11

Spiritual Direction Can Solve (almost) All of the World's Problems.Can it?This is the first part of two episodes introducing our new series, the Invitation "Forum on Spiritual Direction' where Cami Mann and Josh Banner invite you into a long conversation to consider the vital, healing need of contemplative listening especially today. In this forum …

1
The Flintstones (1994) 1:44:38

1+ y ago1:44:38

1:44:38

Yabba Dabba Doo! We’re back and this time we’re heading to the town of Bedrock through the courtesy of our two pairs of feet to meet The Flintstones. This 1994 adaptation of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon from the 1960s was much maligned by critics at the time of its release, but is the Brian Levant directed movie starring John Goodman and Rick Moranis …

1
Schindler's List (1993) 1:51:57

1+ y ago1:51:57

1:51:57

We finally arrive at one of the most crucial films in both Spielberg’s and Amblin’s filmographies, 1993’s Best Picture-winning SCHINDLER’S LIST. To help us in our examination of the film’s portrayal of the Holocaust, Jewish life and Oskar Schindler, we’re very lucky to be joined by Chief Executive of UK Jewish Film, Michael Etherton. Together we br…

1
Update: How the Prison, the 12-Steps, & Ignatius Help us Embrace Our Powerlessness No. 76 17:28

1+ y ago17:28

17:28

Josh offers some updates on the Invitation and shares more about what he is learning in and through the School of Prayer, how it is formed around what he experienced over the six years praying with a group of men in a prison while facilitating the Spiritual Exercises. Here Josh identifies how Christianity can function much more like a 12-Step addic…

1
A Dangerous Woman (1993) 1:06:54

2y ago1:06:54

1:06:54

After a brief hiatus, the Ramblin boys are back, baby, with an episode on a film that was so hard to track down that we almost had to do the unthinkable and skip it. Yes, that’s right, we’re talking A DANGEROUS WOMAN, Stephen Gyllenhaal’s 1993 melodrama starring Debra Winger, Barbara Hershey and Gabriel Byrne. It’s a film that comes the closest to …

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