Best Joshua Banner Podcasts (2025)

1
Eastertide Series #2 Getting Small - Bonhoeffer On Powerlessness No. 102 29:23

7d ago29:23

29:23

In this episode of The Invitation Podcast, Josh Banner explores the idea of 'Resurrection Life as an Invitation to Become Small.' He delves into the late writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, suggesting that Bonhoeffer's true essence and his writings on powerlessness align with a deeper understanding of Jesus' teachings. Josh contrasts religious complac…

1
Hereafter (2010) 1:44:46

11d ago1:44:46

1:44:46

We kick off a fresh new decade for Amblin with our last - at least for now - Clint Eastwood movie, the 2010 supernatural drama HEREAFTER. Our Clint journey began with something of a surprising gem with The Bridges of Madison County,and to bookend our experience with Mr. Eastwood we also get a film full of surprises; a meditative, pragmatic look at …

1
Eastertide Meditation Series 'Resurrection Invites Us to Get Small' No. 101 28:34

16d ago28:34

28:34

In this episode of the Invitation Podcast, Josh Banner explores the upcoming podcast series focusing on resurrection as an invitation to becoming small. He reflects on the heroic dimension often associated with Christian faith in America and invites listeners to reconsider their understanding during Eastertide, the 50 days after Easter. Using Psalm…

1
Review of the 00s 2:57:23

25d ago2:57:23

2:57:23

After six years and 14 movies, the 00s of the Amblin’s comes to a quick end, which can only mean one thing: who’s going to win the Waxflatter Award for best visual effects shot of the decade? Yes, it’s time for one of our review bonanzas covering the best moments and performances of the decade that has just been, as well as reveal both our and the …

1
Easter Small 4:06

28d ago4:06

4:06

I made this sketch for the Invitation Podcast series The Resurrection Invites us to Become Small.By Joshua Banner

1
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) 1:47:28

1M ago1:47:28

1:47:28

Clint Eastwood’s two-picture project looking the Battle of Iwo Jima reaches its conclusion (as does the 00s for Amblin) with LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, this time following the perspective of the Japanese soldiers on the island, who employed a unique strategy that took both the Americans and their own country by surprise. To examine these letters, we in…

1
Seven Manners of Loving 13:45

2M ago13:45

13:45

I put this meditation together March 27, 2025 after facilitating an SOCL retreat. I left the retreat appropriately tired yet full and in need of processing with sound. Rhodes, nylon string guitar, and 'field' recording processed with a Chase Bliss Mood II and some Felt Instruments Smugi.By Joshua Banner

1
Flags of Our Fathers (2006) 1:53:30

2M ago1:53:30

1:53:30

The right picture can win or lose a war, and they don’t come more iconic than the image of US Marines raising the American flag atop a mountain in Iwo Jima. But the story behind an image isn't always so red, white and blue, as shown in Clint Eastwood’s sombre World War Two drama FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS. There is plenty to dive into and explore in both…

1
Monster House (2006) 2:02:02

2M ago2:02:02

2:02:02

We’re back to our usual programming over at Ramblin: An Amblin Podcast, and this time we’re taking a precarious walk over old Nebbercracker's front lawn to cautiously enter MONSTER HOUSE, Gil Kenan’s 2006 feature film debut and the second of the Robert Zemeckis-produced motion capture animations. Because we’re a-scared, though, we can’t do it alone…

1
Rediscovering Belonging: Reflections on Contemplation, Justice, and Community No. 100 18:16

3M ago18:16

18:16

In this hundredth episode, I share the completion of my doctoral dissertation, reflecting on the impact of global and national issues on our well-being. Drawing inspiration from Willie James Jennings, I explore the concept of a new reality in belonging and its significance in our polarized world. As an introvert and Enneagram 4, I discuss the chall…

1
Munich (2005) 1:33:19

3M ago1:33:19

1:33:19

We return with an episode on the final film of 2005, and the second from Mr. Steven Spielberg himself, with his historical drama MUNICH. Charting an account of Mossad assassinations following the massacre at the 1972 Olympic games, it is one of Spielberg’s most polarising and daring works to date, with the decades long Israel-Palestine conflict fro…

1
Year End Giving! - A 2024 Update & Meditation on Creative, Maladjusted, Non-Conforming Faith 34:36

5M ago34:36

34:36

In this episode discuss my journey with The Invitation, the challenges and goodness of 2024, especially as I finish my doctorate! To wrap up the year I share four sacred sayings that have helped me, a reading from Dr. King, Paul Kingsnorth, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and Howard Thurman. This update serves as a meditation exploring themes of justice, c…

1
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) 1:22:21

6M ago1:22:21

1:22:21

Ramblin is back - and we’re more Geisha than ever. After an extended summer break, the boys are back to continue down the Amblin road, staying in 2005 to explore Rob Marshall's period drama MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, based on Arthur Golden’s novel of the same name. To chart the journey of young Chiyo’s self-discovery and efforts to become a Geisha in pre…

1
Apatheia 5:14

6M ago5:14

5:14

"Lord, teach me to care and not to care."It's been awhile since I needed to process with music. Found sounds here just outside my studio on a windy day. Here's our original release: https://ordinaryneighbors.bandcamp.com/album/the-necessary-darkBy Joshua Banner

1
From Victims to Witnesses - Forum on Spiritual Direction No. 98 44:32

12M ago44:32

44:32

In this episode six members of the School of Contemplative Listening respond to our conviction that spiritual direction can solve (almost) all the world's problems. This is an episode in our onrunning Forum on Spiritual Direction series.As we propose contemplative listening at the vital intersection of contemplation and justice, we are getting into…

1
Our Deep Need for Listening - Forum on Spiritual Direction w/ Cami Beecroft Mann No. 97 1:07:16

12M ago1:07:16

1:07:16

We all need help. We can all offer each other help. Cami has taught me so much about these things!This episode is a conversation Josh had with SOCL co-director, Cami Beecroft Mann in 2021. We consider this episode a prequel to the Forum on Spiritual Direction where Josh and Cami discuss the conviction that spiritual direction can solve (almost) all…

1
The Legend of Zorro (2005) 1:34:51

12M ago1:34:51

1:34:51

After donning the Mask, it is now time to continue THE LEGEND OF ZORRO with our episode on Martin Campbell’s 2005 sequel, once again starring those damn fine sexy leads Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. But, coming some seven years after the original, something seems to have been lost along the way: the juice. To find out why this Zorro do…

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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Joshua Banner Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen