Best A Norville Rogers Podcast Podcasts (2025)

We already have a new pope! Your cohosts have thoughts about what we can expect from Leo XIV. Then we run down some of our favorite recent pop culture favorites.By JR. Forasteros, Kathy Khang, Matt Mikalatos

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The Monkey 41:16

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24d ago41:16

41:16

Life sucks. Death is inevitable. Let's dance.By Adriana Mezquitti, JR. Forasteros, Mo Zahedi, Amanda Forasteros

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Graci Kim's Dreamslinger 1:06:23

24d ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Graci Kim returns to give us the scoop on her new novel DREAMSLINGER. What happens when you cross X-Men with Pokemon and the impossible power of dreaming? To find out, we dive into our own dreams. Who dreams lucid? Who doesn't dream at all? Find all this and more in the latest episode!By Matt Mikalatos, Kathy Khang, Graci Kim, JR. Forasteros

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Faithful Protest 1:00:47

1M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

On the anniversary of the Kent State Massacre, Matt and JR. explore what protest is. When and how should Christians protest? And what are the limits of protests? PLUS: hockey updates. More or less.By JR. Forasteros, Matt Mikalatos

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SINNERS 51:34

1M ago51:34

51:34

SINNERS is destroying all box office predictions to become a monster hit. The gang heads to the Mississippi Delta to check out rumors of a new Juke Joint opening at the old sawmill. Rumor is they've got the best blues players in the Delta. It's supposed to be real crazy after the sun goes down...By Adriana Mezquitti, Amanda Forasteros, JR. Forasteros, Mo Zahedi

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SINNERS 1:50:04

1M ago1:50:04

1:50:04

SINNERS is a box office phenomenon and a critical darling. And if you couldn't tell from the film's title, it has religion on its mind. We dive into the film - both the drama surrounding it and the deep horrors of the film supernatural and human.By Kathy Khang, Matt Mikalatos, JR. Forasteros

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Fascinating Turns 400! 1:18:52

2M ago1:18:52

1:18:52

Can you believe it? We've made it to episode 400 of the Fascinating Podcast! We dragged the one and only Clay Morgan out of mothballs and put him back on the mic to celebrate 400 episodes of Fascinating goodness. We retell the origins of the show, hit some of the big moments in the history of the show and celebrate our favorite guests, listeners an…

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Matt Wrote a Graphic Novel! 1:02:45

2M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Okay, buckle up, because today we're flipping the script and turning the mic on one of our own! Get ready for a high-energy deep dive as we put our cohost, the brilliant Matt Mikalatos, squarely in the interviewee hot seat. Why? Because he's unleashed an amazing new graphic novel upon the world called "God With Us," and we couldn't wait to grill hi…

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Pop Culture Madness Tournament 2025 1:13:09

2M ago1:13:09

1:13:09

We're back! Season 14 kicks off with our annual Pop Culture Madness Tournament! Who has what it takes to go all the way to championship? PLUS: What's in store for season 14 and episode 400?By Kathy Khang, Matt Mikalatos, JR. Forasteros

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Companion 40:19

4M ago40:19

40:19

Companion is the mysterious new film about the perfect romance. Or is it? The gang heads to a small, rustic cabin in the woods for a nice, romantic weekend away. What could go wrong?By Amanda Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti, Mo Zahedi, JR. Forasteros

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Nosferatu 47:32

4M ago47:32

47:32

We're kicking off the new year with NOSFERATU. Robert Eggers remakes the original horror film so the gang heads back to 1922 to meet the original Count Orlok. Then we dive into Eggers' new film. Is it a feminist masterpiece? Is it scary?By Mo Zahedi, Adriana Mezquitti, Amanda Forasteros, JR. Forasteros

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Best Horror of 2024 41:31

5M ago41:31

41:31

What are the best horror movies of 2024? Despite some questionable math, the gang counts down their top 10!By Mo Zahedi, Amanda Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti, JR. Forasteros

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Heretic 50:43

5M ago50:43

50:43

Hugh Grant bends his unparalleled charisma to religious corruption. HERETIC introduces us to Mormon missionaries Sisters Barnes and Paxton, and the gang follows them into Mr. Reed's house for a battle of wits. What did we think of this religious thriller? You may be surprised!By Amanda Forasteros, Mo Zahedi, JR. Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti

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The New Testament in Color 56:11

6M ago56:11

56:11

What's the point of reading a bible commentary? And - after 2,000 years - do we really need a new one? The Rev Drs. Janette Ok and Amy Peeler join us to explore their new commentary called The New Testament in Color. We explore the unique benefits of a multi-ethnic commentary - from powerful readings of specific passages to how the volume challenge…

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The Devil is Not in Our Desires ft. Tracey Gee 58:34

6M ago58:34

58:34

Do you know what you want? (Apologies to the Spice Girls, but what you REALLY want?) Coach and author Tracey Gee joins us to explore the good guidance that comes when we learn to listen to our desires. Sounds dangerous, doesn't it?By Tracey Gee, Kathy Khang, JR. Forasteros, Matt Mikalatos

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Mid-Season Potpourii 39:32

6M ago39:32

39:32

We've all had... kind of a lot... going on, so we take a breather to play some catch-up. From the media we've been enjoying to our thoughts on the election to what's next for us, there's a ton of good stuff in here!By JR. Forasteros, Matt Mikalatos, Kathy Khang

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Loving Our Christian Nationalist Neighbors ft. Caleb Campbell 54:32

7M ago54:32

54:32

In the wake of a decisive presidential election in which Evangelicals yet again turned out in record numbers to put an unrepentant fascist, felon and sexual predator in the highest office in the US, we ask: how do we love our Christian Nationalist neighbors? Pastor, author and former white nationalist Caleb E. Campbell joins us to explore how Chris…

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the Ultimate Monster Madness Showdown 1:08:08

7M ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Welcome to Episode 100! In honor of this landmark moment, the gang pits your favorite movie monsters against each other to determine who is the greatest monster in cinema history. Who will emerge victorious? Only one way to find out... listen in!By Mo Zahedi, JR. Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti, Amanda Forasteros

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Game Nights with JR. 1:02:19

7M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

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!By JR. Forasteros, Matt Mikalatos

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Strange Darling 44:03

7M ago44:03

44:03

The less revealed about the twisty, twisted indie horror Strange Darling, the better. The gang heads to the Pacific Northwest to explore this film that claims to based on true events: a deadly spree from a serial killer!By Mo Zahedi, Amanda Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti, JR. Forasteros

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Let's Talk about Abortion 1:01:51

7M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

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…

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Smile 2 49:21

7M ago49:21

49:21

Smile 2 is the inevitable follow-up to the surprise box office smash of the first viral horror sensation. This time, the Smile demon targets not a person struggling with mental health, but a world-class pop princess. How does this new installment measure up? Plus: a surprise Friday 13th quiz!By JR. Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti, Mo Zahedi, Amanda Forasteros

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Cuckoo 39:34

8M ago39:34

39:34

There's a certain kind of scary movie that relies entirely on the payoff at the end. Is the monster actually scary? Do all those weird behaviors make sense in retrospect? Or is it just stupid? The gang heads to the German Alps to enjoy a little respite at Herr Konig's resort. What're those weird nighttime sounds? Best not to worry about 'em!…

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BONUS: Terrifier 3 31:16

8M ago31:16

31:16

Since it's spooky season, Adriana and JR. bring you a bonus episode focused on TERRIFIER 3! This box office sensation builds in every way on its predecessors. But it's definitely NOT for everyone!By JR. Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti

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Cue the Sun! ft. Emily Nussbaum 1:09:14

8M ago1:09:14

1:09:14

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. W…

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The Substance 46:29

8M ago46:29

46:29

If you could take one shot and be younger and hotter would you? Welcome to THE SUBSTANCE, the shocking, provocative new horror movie starring Demi Moore. The gang heads to a dayglo Los Angeles to take on the Patriarchy. But is this film really a scream of rage? Or does it become the very thing it fights?…

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Films for All Seasons ft. Abby Olcese 1:18:52

8M ago1:18:52

1:18:52

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 insightfu…

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Oddity 34:47

8M ago34:47

34:47

It's just a wooden puppet. Or a desk bell. They can't hurt us... right? The gang finds themselves in the Irish countryside investigating the murder of a twin (never a good start!) for ODDITY, one of 2024's creepiest films. Do the various kinds of scares add up to something spooky, or is ODDITY too convoluted for its own good?…

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Andrea Stewart Starts Again 54:07

8M ago54:07

54:07

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!By Matt Mikalatos, Andrea Stewart, JR. Forasteros, Kathy Khang

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Speak No Evil 54:00

8M ago54:00

54:00

When would you say no? The new film SPEAK NO EVIL asks how far we'll take social niceties, so the gang heads to the British countryside to investigate. We compare the new film to its Danish original and ask what the differences say about our different cultures. Plus: who has the best boundaries in the gang? And who would definitely wind up trapped …

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We're Starting to Worry About Jason Pargin 1:06:31

9M ago1:06:31

1:06:31

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. P…

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S.B. Divya's Amazing Race 1:08:35

9M ago1:08:35

1:08:35

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!…

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The Well ft. director Federico Zampaglione 24:30

9M ago24:30

24:30

Writer/Director Federico Zampaglione comes to the show to talk about his new Italian horror film THE WELL. Part monster movie, part gothic horror, this creepy, bloody new film stars Lauren LaVera, final girl of the TERRIFIER franchise! JR. talks with Federico about the film's scariest monster, his Italian horror roots, what's so scary about wells a…

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 59:08

9M ago59:08

59:08

It's been almost 40 years since Tim Burton and Michael Keaton introduced us to the ghost with the most, and he's finally back on the big screen. How did Beetlejuice age? How successful is this latest, spooky legasequel? And which of our cohosts realizes on-air that they missed the first 30 minutes of the film?…

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Season 13 Premier 55:07

9M ago55:07

55:07

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!By Matt Mikalatos, Kathy Khang, JR. Forasteros

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ALIEN: Romulus 58:40

9M ago58:40

58:40

In space, no one can hear you scream. But can they hear you podcast? Let's hope so, because the gang is headed to a Weyland-Yutani mining colony in deep space. There's a certain derelict spaceship we need to investigate. How does Fede Alvarez' latest entry in this pod-favorite franchise stack up?By Adriana Mezquitti, JR. Forasteros, Amanda Forasteros, Mo Zahedi

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Godzilla Minus One 41:44

10M ago41:44

41:44

It's finally here! We named GODZILLA MINUS ONE one of our favorite films of 2023, and how that it's streaming everywhere in the US, we're giving it the full DSU treatment. The gang heads back to post-WWII Japan for a reboot unlike any other. What makes a kaiju film good? And why is this one so, so, so great? Buckle up!…

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LongLegs 52:20

10M ago52:20

52:20

The breakout horror hit of the year has arrived, setting records and earning high marks from critics. So... why is the gang less than impressed? We explore the phenomenon of serial killer movies. What's scary about them? And where does LONGLEGS fit in the psychopath pantheon? Plus: what kind of Cage performance is this?…

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X | Pearl | MaXXXine 1:06:26

10M ago1:06:26

1:06:26

The gang heads back in time to investigate one of the great horror trilogies. From 1979 (X) to 1918 (Pearl) to 1985 (MaXXXine), we explore Ti West's provocative, sexy slasher franchise.By Mo Zahedi, Amanda Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti, JR. Forasteros

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A Quiet Place: Day One 1:04:30

11M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Our most divisive episode EVER!By Adriana Mezquitti, JR. Forasteros, Amanda Forasteros, Mo Zahedi

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The Watchers 47:53

11M ago47:53

47:53

How far does the apple fall from the tree? M. Night Shyamalan's daughter Ishana has arrived with her first feature film. The gang heads to the woods to investigate!By Mo Zahedi, Adriana Mezquitti, Amanda Forasteros, JR. Forasteros

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In a Violent Nature 46:48

12M ago46:48

46:48

The gang heads into the woods to investigate one of the most divisive films of the year. IN A VIOLENT NATURE has some thoughts about the classic slasher flick... but is it saying anything new? We find ourselves divided - can we make it out unscathed?!By Mo Zahedi, Amanda Forasteros, Adriana Mezquitti, JR. Forasteros

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Sting + Infested 58:53

1y ago58:53

58:53

It's double the spider terror when the gang heads to an apartment complex overrun by a giant spider. Yes, that's the plot of both STING and INFESTED, but the similarities are mostly superficial. We explore the scares and the spiders in each film and find new ways to be afraid of those eight legged freaks.…

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Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 1:07:24

1y ago1:07:24

1:07:24

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?…

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Improvising Church - Faith After Church Pt 2 54:45

1y ago54:45

54:45

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...By Mark Glanville, JR. Forasteros, Matt Mikalatos

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Abigail 36:34

1y ago36:34

36:34

Are we over vampires? Despite several recent lackluster box-office performances by vampire films, ABIGAIL is here to insist there's still some unlife in this genre. The gang heads to a spooky old mansion to investigate. What could go wrong?By Adriana Mezquitti, JR. Forasteros, Amanda Forasteros

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Free Palestine 1:17:51

1y ago1:17:51

1:17:51

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?By Matt Mikalatos, JR. Forasteros, Kathy Khang

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Solo Planet: How the Church is Failing by Failing Single People 1:06:30

1y ago1:06:30

1:06:30

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 a…

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CIVIL WAR 1:12:50

1y ago1:12:50

1:12:50

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? JR.'s article…