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Art & Faith

Art & Faith

Written by: PRODIGAL
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Interviews with talented faith filled artists© 2025 Art Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • Nathan Presley | My Story | Yonder Studio Crossover
    Dec 19 2025

    Crossover Episode with Nathan Yoder's YONDER STUDIO.https://yondrstudio.com/podcast Nathan Presley shares his journey as a filmmaker, discussing his early influences, struggles in Los Angeles, and the importance of community and faith in his creative process. He reflects on the challenges of balancing commercial work with personal projects and emphasizes the significance of persistence and surrender in the pursuit of artistic fulfillment. The conversation also delves into his latest short film, 'Flesh and Blood,' which explores themes of trauma and spirituality, showcasing his growth as a storyteller.

    Nathan Presley discusses the evolving relationship between art and faith, particularly in the context of social media's influence on artistic expression. He emphasizes the importance of creating art as an act of worship, navigating the tension between faith and cultural relevance, and the distinction between genuine art and propaganda.

    The discussion also touches on the necessity of honesty in artistic endeavors, the value of living quietly, and the challenge of conveying truth in art.

    Ultimately, Nathan encourages artists to create from a place of authenticity and to embrace their calling in the artistic space.

    https://yondrstudio.com/podcast

    Nathan discusses the challenges of pursuing a filmmaking career in Los Angeles. He emphasizes the importance of community and faith in his journey. Nathan shares insights on balancing art and faith in creative work. He talks about his short film "Flesh and Blood" and its themes.

    The conversation explores the role of truth in storytelling. Nathan discusses the balance between relevance and authenticity in art. He shares his thoughts on the impact of social media on creativity. Nathan encourages artists to pursue their calling with boldness. Nathan Presley, Uncommon Creators, filmmaking, Oklahoma, Los Angeles, community, faith, authenticity, Flesh and Blood, art and faith, storytelling, relevance, authenticity

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - The Uncommon Creators Event
    • (00:00:45) - Nathan Yoder
    • (00:01:40) - Art and Faith Podcast
    • (00:03:10) - How I Stumbled Into Filmmaking
    • (00:09:06) - Jumping Forward: What Went Wrong For My Life
    • (00:14:55) - On Lay Down My Life
    • (00:18:20) - How to Start a Filmmaking Studio in Oklahoma
    • (00:21:43) - Speaking at a photography class
    • (00:22:07) - In the Elevator With Steven Spielberg
    • (00:25:22) - Having to learn the craft of filmmaking
    • (00:30:17) - How to Get the Best Out of Your Crew
    • (00:32:49) - Filmmaking vs Commercial Work
    • (00:35:07) - Filmmaking and Commercial
    • (00:36:37) - Flesh and Blood: A Short Film Review
    • (00:43:21) - Andy Warhol on Art and Faith
    • (00:46:37) - Art and the Christian Imagination
    • (00:51:13) - Philadelphians: Art and Propaganda
    • (00:58:10) - The Real Realists
    • (01:02:21) - Pushing the Dark Side of Art
    • (01:04:13) - "Deconstruction" in Film
    • (01:08:32) - Jon Jon on 'The Empty Nest'
    • (01:12:15) - The Need to Be Remarkably Remarkable
    • (01:21:19) - Non-Believer Artists on Writing
    • (01:23:54) - Art and Faith: Will You Keep It Up?
    • (01:25:28) - How to Find Nathan Presley
    • (01:26:10) - Nathan on Talking To People
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Ethan Nathaniel | Singer/Songwriter
    Nov 14 2025

    In this episode, Ethan Nathaniel shares his journey of faith and creativity, exploring how music has been a means of connecting with God amidst personal struggles. Ethan discusses the creative process, the significance of beauty in art, and how his experiences as a parent shape his understanding of spirituality. The conversation concludes with Ethan's aspirations for the future and his commitment to bringing beauty to the forefront of his work.

    Find Ethan: instagram.com/ethannathaniel

    Takeaways:

    Ethan's journey of faith began in childhood, influenced by his Christian upbringing.
    Music became a healing outlet for Ethan during difficult times.
    Community support played a crucial role in Ethan's life and faith journey.
    Ethan believes in the importance of beauty in art and creativity.
    Ambition should be balanced with personal relationships and family.
    The creative process involves both inspiration and discipline.
    Ethan emphasizes the need for artists to create without fear of judgment.
    Parenting has deepened Ethan's understanding of God's love and joy.
    Ethan aspires to bring orchestral arrangements back into his music.
    The conversation highlights the mystery of inspiration in the creative process.

    Chapters

    00:00 Finding God in Adversity
    05:59 The Role of Music in Healing
    10:14 Understanding Joy in Trials
    14:41 The Intersection of Faith and Art
    23:01 Creating Beauty Through Struggles
    28:59 Journey to France and Song Inspiration
    31:18 The Evolution of 'Heaven's Field'
    34:44 The Mystery of Artistic Inspiration
    39:00 Creating Space for Inspiration
    44:30 Balancing Ambition and Family Life
    50:33 Pursuing Beauty in Art
    53:49 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
    58:10 NEWCHAPTER

    Keywords

    Ethan Nathaniel, music, faith, creativity, inspiration, community, parenting, beauty, ambition, art

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Art and Faith with Ethan Nathaniel
    • (00:01:23) - The First Time God Feels Real To Me
    • (00:08:40) - James on Joy Amidst Trials
    • (00:14:12) - Father on God's Will vs. His Sovereignty
    • (00:15:07) - The Pain of Writing Music
    • (00:17:34) - The Holy Spirit in Your Music
    • (00:20:06) - "Filling the Earth With Beauty"
    • (00:27:20) - "Too Far Gone" by The National
    • (00:28:21) - Are There Any Songs That You Love?
    • (00:34:29) - How To Write: Inspiration
    • (00:39:21) - 3 Spiritual Practices That Are Part of My Routine
    • (00:44:35) - Adam Levine on Being Accentual
    • (00:50:28) - Ethan Harris on Being Called to More Music
    • (00:53:40) - How to Write Music
    • (00:56:38) - Prayer for Ethan Jones
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    58 mins
  • Disney Animation Filmmakers | Nathan Engelhardt & Jeremy Spears
    Oct 31 2025
    Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears, directors and writers of the animated short film ForeverGreen, share their personal faith journeys and how these experiences have shaped their creative work. They discuss the importance of storytelling in conveying spiritual themes, the challenges they faced during the film's production, and the role of community support in their creative process. The conversation highlights the intersection of art and faith, emphasizing the power of storytelling to communicate deep truths and engage audiences. In this conversation, Nathan Engelhardt and Nathan Presley explore the intricacies of creativity, collaboration, and the spiritual dimensions of storytelling. They discuss the challenges faced during creative projects, the importance of patience and generosity, and the role of faith in guiding artistic expression. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of storytelling as a means of conveying deeper truths and survival information, while also addressing the need for rest and reflection in the creative process. Takeaways Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears are directors and writers of the animated short film Forever Green.Both creators share their personal faith journeys and how they intersect with their work.The film aims to convey deep spiritual themes through storytelling and animation.They discuss the importance of allegory in conveying complex ideas simply.The creative process involved collaboration and overcoming various challenges.Personal struggles and spiritual battles influenced their storytelling.Community support played a crucial role in the film's development.They emphasize the importance of being genuine in faith and creativity.The film serves as a platform for sharing the gospel and engaging with audiences.Future aspirations include continuing to create meaningful stories that glorify God. Creativity often requires patience and a generous spirit.Collaboration enhances the quality of creative work.Storytelling can convey profound truths without explicit dialogue.Rest is essential for creative rejuvenation and clarity.Every story should have a clear message or survival information.Faith plays a crucial role in guiding creative endeavors.Small beginnings can lead to significant outcomes.Listening to feedback is vital for improving creative projects.The pacing of a story can greatly impact its emotional resonance.Artistic expression can serve as a bridge to deeper conversations about faith. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Forever Green03:05 Personal Faith Journeys06:07 The Role of Spiritual Warfare08:37 The Creative Process Behind Forever Green11:33 The Calling to Create14:20 The Story of the Three Trees17:39 God Moments in Storytelling20:29 The Impact of Allegory in Film23:22 Conclusion and Future of Forever Green31:14 Navigating Hypocrisy and Authenticity33:00 The Struggle with Sin and Grace36:19 The Journey of Spiritual Purification38:43 Facing Resistance in Creative Endeavors41:03 Balancing Family and Creative Pursuits44:57 The Process of Filmmaking and Collaboration47:33 Handling Creative Differences50:15 Extracting the Spirit Behind Feedback58:12 The Art of Animation and Storytelling59:37 The Power of Silence in Film01:02:16 Finding Rest and Recalibration01:04:04 The Importance of Intentional Storytelling01:07:25 Faith and Creative Expression01:09:44 The Role of Art in Spiritual Conversations01:14:19 Survival Information in Storytelling Keywords art, faith, animation, storytelling, spiritual journey, creativity, Disney, Forever Green, personal growth, community support, creativity, collaboration, storytelling, filmmaking, faith, leadership, artistic process, project manag... Chapters (00:00:01) - Art and Faith(00:01:32) - In the Elevator With Forevergreen(00:02:07) - What Was The Moment That God Became Real To You?(00:08:32) - The Battle of spiritual warfare(00:09:42) - The Lion and the Bear in Forevergreen(00:13:46) - Jeremy on The Lord's Direction(00:19:07) - In the Elevator With Jeremy(00:21:57) - Jeremy and Nathan on The Art of Parables(00:23:54) - The Tale of the Three Trees(00:31:18) - Paul on The Unqualified(00:37:12) - The Three Hurdles of Laying That Sin Down(00:42:15) - The Process of Making a Documentary(00:46:47) - Disney's The Story(00:51:37) - The Spirit of the Note(00:56:07) - How To Make A Western Film(01:00:55) - The Tree's Voice(01:02:09) - The Lord's Rest(01:07:59) - The film's small beginnings(01:11:24) - Hemsworth Creative Art Conference and Hume Lake Creative Arts Conference(01:13:22) - How To Tell a Story(01:18:49) - Prayer for Nathan
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    1 hr and 23 mins
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