Shows
Front LightEp 9 - Tyler Goss and Mennonite Action's recent delegation to PalestineIn this episode, we interview Tyler Goss, he/him, from Harrisonburg Virginia on the land of the Siouan, Monacan, Monahoac, Catawba, and Cherokee. He shares stories from Mennonite Action’s delegation to Palestine in June. We talk about tourism for good, the weight of hopelessness, air raids and more.Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid...
2025-07-231h 00Front LightEp 8 - “None are free until all are free": the intersection of Palestinian and queer justice, with Annabeth Roeschley of BMC.“None are free until all are free” is a quote attributed to luminaries working for justice throughout history: Emma Lazarus, Fannie Lou Hammer, Martin Luther King Jr., and Maya Angelou. In this episode, we interview Annabeth Roeschley (they/she), the Director of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests. They are a long-time activist and advisor for queer intersectional justice within and beyond Mennonite Church USA. Annabeth embodies this role as a queer abolitionist theologian, spiritual care curator, and politicized chaplain who dwells at the intersections of individual and collective healing. A graduate of Bluffton University, Annabeth holds...
2025-06-111h 04Front LightEp 7 - Learning through discomfort with Noura Erakat“They’re trying to equate anti-racism with comfort: ‘everybody should get along.’ But nobody is entitled to comfort. We are entitled to respect.”In this episode, we interview Palestinian-American scholar and attorney, Noura Erakat. She is a Professor of Africana Studies and Criminal Justice at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, author of Justice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine (Stanford University Press, 2019) and an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Palestine Studies. Also in this show, Joanna shares about the anniversary of the Nakba, and Jonny about his favorite new band.Noura’s instagram re...
2025-05-2154 minFront LightEp 6 - Palestinian, Mennonite and American - a conversation about identity, faith, and solidarity with Michael GeorgeIn this episode, we speak with Michael George who serves on the steering committees of Mennonite Action and the Mennonite Palestine Israel Network (MennoPIN). He shares his family's history in Palestine, their migration journey, and the cultural identity shaped by his Palestinian and Mennonite heritage. He discusses the complexities of navigating biculturalism, the impact of faith on activism, and the importance of speaking out for justice. During the past five years, Michael has helped to facilitate MennoPIN’s “Twinning with Gaza” Initiative in which Mennonite congregations in the United States have built relationships with Palestinian-led non-profit organizations in Gaza.R...
2025-04-3058 minFront LightEp 5 - Lessons from Jewish Anti-Zionist Organizing: A Conversation with Rabbi Alissa WiseJoanna and Jonny interview Rabbi Alissa Wise about anti-Zionism, organizational building, Jewish Voice for Peace, and a book she co-wrote on lessons in anti-Zionist organizing.Rabbi Alissa Wise is a community organizer, educator, organizational consultant, and ritual leader with over two decades of movement-building experience. She is the Lead Organizer of Rabbis for Ceasefire which she founded in October 2023. She is co-author of Solidarity is the Political Version of Love: Lessons from Jewish Anti-Zionist Organizing (Haymarket, 2024).Also, on our episode, we share feedback from listeners. Email us at frontlight@mennoniteaction.org to give us your feed...
2025-04-091h 05Front LightEp 3 - A Mennonite Palestinian story with Jonathan BrennemanJonathan Brenneman is a Palestinian-American Christian and co-founder of Christians for a Free Palestine. He was a frontline activist at Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) and played a primary role in writing, passing, and implementing Mennonite Church USA’s Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine Resolution. We’re so excited to have him on our show! Also in our episode, Joanna and Jonny reflect on the current state of affairs and how to stave off despair. Jonny shares about his love of nostalgic media, including SNL 50. Joanna offers to us how both trees and rocks have been a stablizing comfort for...
2025-02-271h 06Front LightEp 2 - The Movement Makes Us Human: Joanna Lawrence Shenk on the life and teachings of Dr. Vincent Harding.In our second episode, honoring Black History Month, Jonny and Joanna do a deep dive into the legacy of Dr. Vincent Harding, who offered us Front Light’s namesake. Together they reflect on his formation among Mennonites, the power of his presence in movements for justice since the 1960s, and how his wisdom continues to inspire work for justice today. Joanna shares from her book “The Movement Makes Us Human: An Interview with Dr. Vincent Harding on Mennonites, Vietnam, and MLK” published in 2018. We also talk about our feelings about the onslaught of Trump’s executive orders that are scaring...
2025-02-0658 minFront LightEp 1 - Mennonite Action's Origin Story (Adam Ramer & Nick Martin)We are stoked to share our very first episode! We interview the co-founders of Mennonite Action, Nick Martin and Adam Ramer. They share their personal journeys into activism, the importance of faith in their work, and the need for collective action against rising Christian nationalism. They also highlight the interconnectedness of various social justice issues and the role of Mennonites in challenging oppressive narratives. Joanna also explains the origins of our show's name, from a quote from Dr. Vincent Harding. We also reflect on the ceasefire and the Anabaptist Community Bible.
To sign Mennonite Action’s pledge, do...
2025-01-1751 min
CindePodcastExperimental Film with Anna Kipervaser and June Preview with TJ PeloquinJonny opens the episode with returning guest and Cindependent Board Member, TJ Peloquin. Jonny and TJ discuss this year's "Cindesocial" film screenings, and preview the upcoming Cindependent Pride Shorts Program, taking place at the Mariemont Theatre on Thursday, June 20th.
Then Jonny is joined by artist and experimental filmmaker, Anna Kipervaser (23:25). Jonny and Anna discuss Anna's new role with Cindependent as the curator of a designated experimental film block at the 2024 festival, her journey to experimental filmmaking, tombstone inscriptions, communicating with plants and animals, the evils of capitalist bureaucracy, and much more!
2024-06-031h 14
CindePodcastTypical WestsidersJack Crumley and Sian Bitner-Kearney talk with Brian Ibold and Eric Anderson, a couple of Cincinnatians who are making their own webseries: Typical Westsiders
2024-04-2121 minCindePodcastRock Your Beauty!It's a ScriptShopShow reunion as guest host Jack Crumley teams back up with Allyson West!
Jack and Allyson talk with Cindependent Film Festival board member Sian Bitner-Kearney about her Rock Your Beauty fashion show. Allyson has curated a women's film block during the event and we talk with Emily Skyle-Golden about her film '10 SYLLABLES'
2024-02-2534 minCindePodcastIs That Black Enough For You?!? DiscussionJonny hands over the CindePodcast reins to Jack Crumley to talk about an evening with film critic and all-around cool guy Elvis Mitchell.
There was a recent screening of Elvis' doc, IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!? (2022), in Cincinnati and we talk about the film, Elvis, and more!
2024-02-1836 min
CindePodcastTop 5 Films of 2023 with Lydia Smith and TJ PeloquinJonny is joined by returning guests, Lydia Smith and TJ Peloquin to break down each of their top 5 films of 2023. The episode celebrates the Cindependent Film Festival's 2023 return and dives deep into the rich roster of this year's films, which Jonny, Lydia, and TJ, bring their unique perspective and insight to.
2024-01-011h 47
CindePodcastSilas TibbsCincinnati writer and director, Silas Tibbs, joins Jonny on the podcast for a broad ranging conversation. Silas shares his thoughts on adapting to current media trends (2:00), the impact of AI on the creative space (20:30), solving the decline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Disney (45:50), the potential of the Cincinnati film scene (54:40), the upcoming premiere screening of his film Attrition at the Woodward Theater on New Year's Day (1:05:00), his influences for Attrition (1:13:35), and more!
2023-12-251h 32
Rooted & Grounded16 - The Knowledge of Suffering with Jonny ShenkThis month Jonny Shenk joins us to talk about the knowledge of suffering and his theory as to why God allows pain and sin in the world. Thank you to everyone who has supported us this far, it means so much!
Cover Art by Reagan Hostetler
Recommendations:
Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb
2023-11-1751 min
CindePodcastIngrid WoodeJonny is joined by 2023 Cindependent Festival alum, Ingrid Woode (director of the Cincinnati based short film, "Fresh")! The episode opens with reflections on Ingrid's Cindependent experience (1:00). Then the conversation moves into Ingrid's music background and the inspiration for her new documentary project, "Songology" (15:45), Ingrid's approach to channeling her creativity (21:15), her experience of recovering from a spine injury during the pandemic (24:00), the concept of building a soundtrack for your life (31:30), Songology's upcoming premiere at the City Base Kenwood Theater (37:37), and more!
2023-11-0651 min
CindePodcastMargaret McGurkJonny welcomes former Cincinnati Enquirer film critic
(1995-2005), Margaret McGurk, to the show!
Margaret shares about the film criticism landscape in the 90's (4:30) and how she got her start at the Enquirer (8:40), before getting into her perspective on the current film and film criticism landscape (15:45), her recommendations on where to find helpful criticism/curation these days (36:00), and more!
2023-10-3041 min
CindePodcastJustin Zuckerman and Festival Recap with TJ Peloquin and Bretton MillerJonny is joined by Cindependent curator, TJ Peloquin, and Cindependent 2023 award nominated director, Bretton Miller, to reflect on the beautiful 2023 Cindependent Film Festival.
Then Jonny chats with Justin Zuckerman (46:40), director of the indie gem, Yelling Fire in an Empty Theater - screening Monday, October 2nd at the Woodward Theater in downtown Cincinnati. Justin tells Jonny about shooting the film on Mini DV format, Yelling Fire's place in the mumblecore pantheon, the film's festival journey, and more!
2023-10-021h 38
CindePodcastAndre HylandThis week's episode opens with a segment from "Trash Flow Radio," a Cincinnati WAIF 88.3 radio program, which featured Jonny Shenk as a guest on Saturday, September 23rd (3:45). On the segment, Jonny previews Cindependent 2023 with Trash Flow Radio host, Ken Katkin.
Back in the interview chair, Jonny is joined by actor, writer, director, and Cincinnati native, Andre Hyland (22:20), for a wide ranging conversation. Topics include - making "The Death of Dick Long" (26:45), memories of working at the Esquire Theatre in Clifton (30:49), a "speed round" of Cincinnati related questions (45:10), Andre's experiences at the Sundance Film Festival (1:02:25...
2023-09-251h 29
CindePodcastSecret Base CinemaJonny is joined by Cincinnati film programmers, film aficionados, and founders of "Secret Base Cinema," Andy Simpson and Ian Schiefer (6:30). Jonny, Andy, and Ian, delve into the origins of Secret Base Cinema, what makes a Secret Base Cinema screening unique (16:50), the art of film curation (23:00), and more!
2023-09-1846 min
CindePodcastMark BorisonJonny welcomes beloved Cincinnati actor, writer, director, and podcast host (The Jungle Jim's Podcast), Mark Borison, to CindePodcast. They chat about meeting under interesting circumstances at the Woodward Theater (4:15), Mark's work as an actor nationally and locally (10:45), and the premiere of his film "Chiluminati" on opening night of the inaugural Cindependent in 2018 (18:33).
Jonny and Mark then preview "Night Cafe," a festival award nominated Ohio short film that will screen on opening night of Cindependent 2023 (21:05), his experience working with Cindependent director Allyson West on a pandemic film BEFORE the pandemic (28:30), his journey with the Jungle...
2023-09-1155 min
CindePodcastVernard Fields (Black Cincinnati Cinema Collective) and the "Screenplay Speakeasy" with Jack CrumleyJonny opens the show with Cindependent Board Member, Jack Crumley, to chat about the Screenplay Speakeasy - Cindependent's live screenplay performance program, which is returning to the festival this year! Then Jonny is joined by president and co-founder of B3C (Black Cincinnati Cinema Collective), Vernard Fields (13:57). Vernard shares about the origins of B3C in 2017 (15:01), his experience coming up as a young filmmaker in Cincinnati (20:55), the Cincinnati 48 Hour Film Project (24:15), and his influences and approach as a filmmaker (35:25). Jonny and Vernard then dive into discussing the upcoming Cindependent 2023 award nominated short film, Attrition, that Vernard was a part...
2023-09-051h 01
CindePodcastJaime Meyers Schlenck and Sara Drabik (Women in Film Cincinnati)Jonny talks with the President and Vice President of Women in Film Cincinnati, Jaime Meyers Schlenck and Sara Drabik. They begin the episode with discussion of WIF upcoming Work in Progress screening at the Esquire Theatre (4:00). They then discuss Jaime and Sara's reflections on the Cincinnati film community (15:30), thoughts about film festivals, including OINK, the film festival Sara launched at NKU (25:15), and briefly preview "Shelter" a Cindependent short, directed by Jaime's associate Ben Evory (37:20).
2023-08-2845 min
CindePodcastBrad Hargis (of The Cinema Guys)Jonny chats with local podcast host, media personality, and Cindependent curator, Brad Hargis. Jonny and Brad talk about working together on special movie theater screenings before the pandemic (2:27) and connecting with Greg Sestero ("Mark" from the cult classic film, The Room) (6:00). Then they get into some of the details of their shared work as curators for Cindependent 2023 (10:10), with a special focus on the short film - Archive and the Storyteller, which will screen at the festival on Saturday, September 30th. Jonny and Brad wrap up the episode by delving into "Tubi Tuesday" and the Tubi-themed content that Brad produces (20:02).
2023-08-2133 min
CindePodcastHavilland Maxwell and "Cindependence Day" with Katherine Schwerdtfeger!Jonny opens the show with Cindependent Board Member, Katherine Schwerdtfeger, to preview Cindependence Day - the festival's film lineup announcement party, taking place on Saturday, August 12th.
Then Jonny is joined by voice actor and voice acting teacher, Havilland Maxwell (8:05), to discuss her creative journey and her upcoming Cindependent Festival workshop. Havilland shares how she left her corporate career to take a chance on voice acting in her 30's, the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities, the viability of building a voice acting career in the Midwest, the impact of the pandemic, and...
2023-08-071h 06
CindePodcastBarbie and Oppenheimer with Lydia SmithJonny and Cindependent curator, Lydia Smith, go deep in discussing the cultural moment of Barbie and Oppenheimer. They start with how they experienced the films (3:50), followed by their history with the directors of the films - Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan (17:45), before diving into Oppenheimer (40:30), and Barbie (1:11:28). Jonny and Lydia close the episode by sharing their perspectives on the upcoming movie release calendar (1:48:50).
2023-07-241h 59
CindePodcastTop 5 Directorial Debuts with Aaron J Gould and Josh PhilipsJonny is joined by Northern Kentucky filmmaking duo Aaron J Gould and Josh Philips. Aaron and Josh discuss their filmmaking background (5:20) and their 2021 film, Gad (7:17), before Jonny, Aaron and Josh dive deep into their top 5 directorial debut lists (11:54).
2023-07-101h 44
CindePodcastHaley Snowden and Her New Film "Behind the Uniform: A New Class" + Sundance Short FilmsJonny opens the show with his reflections on the 2023 Sundance Festival Short Film Program; then Jonny is joined by Cincinnati producer and filmmaker Haley Snowden (8:25), to discuss her new film - Behind the Uniform: A New Class, premiering at the Woodward Theater July 9th and 10th. Jonny and Haley discuss the origin of the film (9:00), the production process (19:30), details around the film's upcoming premiere (41:30), and more!
2023-06-2651 min
CindePodcastTim Swallow and Biz YoungJonny is joined by Emmy-award winning filmmaker and Cindependent curator, Biz Young, to chat about her history with Cindependent (1:52), the unexpected impact of the pandemic (6:45), how Biz got her start as a filmmaker in Cincinnati (17:45), before switching gears to chat about curation and share a couple of recommendations (22:20). Then Jonny talks with Cincinnati World Cinema founder and CEO Tim Swallow (42:35). Jonny and Tim chat about the World Cinema's move to a permanent location at the Garfield Theater (43:00), Tim's approach to film programming at the Cincinnati (44:30), Tim's background with film and the Cincinnati movie theater scene (46:40), before breaking down the...
2023-06-121h 10
CindePodcastDoris Owens and Allyson WestJonny and Cindependent Executive Director, Allyson West, chat about Doris' Owens impact in Cincinnati and Allyson's outlook on the festival. Then Jonny is joined by Doris Owens (6:50). They talk about Doris' role in the founding of Film Cincinnati in the early 90's (8:30), how Doris got her start in the business (13:30), her work with the Owen's Group (22:05), the impact of the pandemic (27:45), and more!
2023-06-0240 min
CindePodcastCasting Director Lynn Meyers and a Special Screening Announcement with Michael GottUniversity of Cincinnati Professor and Director of Programming for the Niehoff Center, Michael Gott, joins Jonny to announce two special screenings taking place on the University of Cincinnati campus, Friday April 21st and Tuesday April 25th (2:01). Then Jonny is joined by Cincinnati Casting Director Lynn Meyers, to discuss Cincinnati's rising profile as a Hollywood filming location (18:20), the impact of the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit (24:00), the viability of Cincinnati as a place to pursue a film career (27:04), recently shot and yet to be released films - Wise Guys and The Bikeriders (29:52), Lynn's experience working on Carol (2015) and The Killing...
2023-04-1756 min
CindePodcastFavorite Films of 2022 and Most Anticipated Films of 2023 with Evan Holt and Arthouse Film Exhibition with Neon Theater Manager Jonathan McNealCindependent curator and multi-year CityBeat honoree for Best Local Filmmaker in Cincinnati, Evan Holt, joins Jonny to break down their 3 favorite films of 2022 (1:59) and their 3 most anticipated films of 2023 (17:58). Then Jonny is joined by Jonathan McNeal, the manager of the Neon Theater in Dayton, Ohio (27:45). They talk about the history of the Neon (28:20), the effect of the pandemic on the theater (36:35), and then the status of streaming services vs the theatrical release model in 2023 (43:12).
2023-03-271h 00
CindePodcast"Hardface" with Mark Hood and Oscar Nominated Short Films with Annie Dell'AriaCindependent Lead Curator and Associate Professor of Art History at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Annie Dell'Aria, joins host and fellow Lead Curator, Jonny Shenk, to reminisce on Cindependent's two pre-covid festivals in 2018 and 2019 (1:32) and break down several of the 2023 Oscar nominated short films (7:45) - starting with live-action (13:40), followed by animation (23:17), and documentary (32:51). Then, Jonny is joined by Mark Hood (39:15) to discuss Mark's journey as a filmmaker, his experience at the Cindependent Film Festival with his film Hardface in 2018 (51:26), finding a streaming home for Hardface during the pandemic (1:00:58), and more.
2023-03-101h 14
The Missiology PodcastMissiology Podcast S2E6: With Stephen BevansIn this episode, host Martin Rodriguez sits down with Stephen Bevans, the Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD Professor of Mission and Culture, Emeritus, at Catholic Theological Union. Bevans shares about his formative influences as a theologian of mission, his contributions to missiology, and his hopes for the future of the field.
Our Guest
Stephen Bevans is the Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD Professor of Mission and Culture, Emeritus, at Catholic Theological Union. He continues his work in the area of the theology of Christian mission and has recently completed an article in the missionary nature of the ecclesial mark o...
2022-06-3037 min