On this community-inspired episode, Caleb and Nick dive into the topic of religious vs secular art and whether or not God can work through something if it's not explicitly "Christian." Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going: http://discord.blk.bar/由Blackbar

On this episode, the guys are joined by guest Troy Picou, the children's pastor at Grand Rapids First, who has made a name for himself by creating extravagantly creative props, puppets, illustrations, character animations, and many, many other amazing things. Troy was gracious enough to share a behind the scenes look with us on how he's reaching th…

The guys share 15 free tools that they use to support and simplify their creative workflow, and Caleb does an intro to 3D animation training with a focus on the free animation software called Blender. NOTE: Zach discovered after the fact that the project management application called Monday was a free month trial, not a free permanent seat. He stil…

The guys are joined by guest co-host JP Dorsey, previous President of North Point Bible College GR and pastor at Grand Rapids First, to discuss whether or not social media us truly a good or bad thing for society at large. They also discuss OpenAI's newest video software called Sora and how churches can practically and ethically integrate AI system…

Nick & Caleb are joined by guest co-host Dan Desrosiers (S1 Episodes 6, 7, & 85) to discuss how churches can best leverage media to connect with and grow their communities in 2024. They also discuss how to approach the nuanced conversation of upgrading your gear to your pastor and leadership team. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation …

Nick and Caleb talk with Mike Soroka, IT and networking guru, about why churches should care about modern cybersecurity, and they share some easy first steps every organization should take to protect their data. They also discuss Disney's expired copyright of the Steamboat Willie character, and how important it is for creatives to understand copyri…

The guys share about what they learned from the 2024 Passion Conference team on how to gather the most effective and impactful sermon clips for your church. They also talk about the new podcast format alongside their newest Q&A style segment called Blackout! Join our Stream Team! https://forms.gle/2mpip9aVwHCkhyXm8 Join the Blackbar Discord to keep…

On the last episode of 2023, the guys share some thoughts from a church creative's perspective about Carey Nieuwhof's recent blog post on declining church attendance. They also discuss the implications of the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strikes as well as Instagram's most recent algorithm changes. Read Carey Nieuwhof's full blog post "5 Church Atte…

In the church and ministry creative field, last minute changes are as frequent as Sunday service, so on this episode the guys wanted to share some practical tips on how to navigate the unpredictable in a healthy way. They also share some predictions about the potential of Unreal Engine's Project Avalanche software, and they take a look at what can …

The guys welcome guest co-host Alex Lyons as they discuss how to approach AI with faith and wisdom. They also kick off the episode analyzing and learning from the new Eddie Bower logo redesign. Episode Timestamps: 3:20 Eddie Bauer Logo Redesign 28:40 Beyond Fear: Embracing AI with Faith and Wisdom Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation …

With the success of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour movie, the guys discuss how experiences like this could impact the ways that we both approach and engage in worship within our faith communities. They also get back into the Mac vs. PC debate on the heels of Apple's newest M3 Chip showcase. Episode Timestamps: 2:42 Mac vs. PC in 2023 23:48 Could Taylor S…

The guys lose their minds over the exciting new Adobe software features showcased at this year's Adobe Max event! They also circle back to last week's conversation to tie in how Meta's new social personality AI can impact the way we create social content, and they break down how the technology used for the recent Toy Story Funday Football broadcast…

Caleb & Nick welcome guest co-host Garrett Vandenberg as they discuss the ethics, theology, practical application, and potential future of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and AI generated music all within creative, faith-based spaces. Episode Timestamps: 4:53 - The Ethics and Theology of AI Generated Music 45:31 - The Future of AR/VR Church Joi…

The guys have a little gear envy drooling over Sony's new Burano cinema camera while providing some practical explanations to cinema camera specs alongside more budget-friendly camera recommendations. They also discuss the potential implications of the ChatGPT based Open Interpreter with special guest Blaise Nelson, and they share some initial opin…

Throwing back to Blackbar's very first video on church marketing, the guys add a few fresh tips that they've learned over the years on how to best create church ads that are genuinely effective. Also, featuring Lifehouse Church's creative arts and worship Pastor Sharayah Bishop, they discuss the filters a church can develop to help determine what m…

Now that they've all finally watched Barbie and Oppenheimer, the guys share their insight on what Christian Creatives can learn from blockbuster films and secular media. They also discuss the new copyright rules for AI art, try to understand how the resurgence of "dumb phones" correlates with cyber addiction, and breakdown the technical side of the…

The guys examine the current trend of social media platforms moving away from "social" media toward a "consumption" media mentality and what that could mean for the future of social media. They also dive deep into the AI powered "Text Jesus" app, compare the value of new cameras like the Sony a6700 to the power of smart phones, and speculate on use…

Welcome to the Blackbar podcast season 2! Caleb, Nick, & Zach kick things off by discussing some of the good, the bad, and the ugly of new AI applications as well as what the value is for church creatives of present and future AI tools. They also talk Davinci Resolve 18.5, Threads vs. X vs. Tik Tok, and potential implications of the Hollywood SAG-A…

The guys talk life, media agency, and ministry updates as well as what's next for the Blackbar Podcast! Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going: http://discord.blk.bar/由Blackbar

The guys talk with Jason Poling, Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church of Yuba City, about his church's VR ministry in the Metaverse. They discuss everything from connecting with digital natives and online anonymity to navigating the advantages and disadvantages of this relativity new and unreached missions field. If you'd like to experience any of the…

Zach talks with Brian Lee, Enneagram Coach & Owner of Gospel-Centered Enneagram, about Broken To Beloved; a summit moving toward healing & wholeness for those that have experienced church hurt, spiritual abuse, and religious trauma. For more information or to register for the Broken To Beloved Summit, visit: https://www.brokentobeloved.org/ Join th…

Zach & Caleb talk with Spencer Jackson - Artist, Creative, & Campus Pastor - about 5 ministry survival tips that he learn from his time as Creative Director for Lifehouse Church. From the importance of creative intentionality to being prepared to take punches, Spence shares his heart about creativity and leadership. Follow Spence on Instagram to co…

On our first episode for 2023, we tackle a topic that we feel is one of the biggest detriments to the health and the calling of those in the creative ministry. And that topic is burnout. To tackle this conversation, we've brought on our friends Dan Desrosiers (Ep. 6&7), Brian Lee (Ep. 23&24), and Nik Goodner (Ep. 59) with the objectives of defining…

Zach talks with James Meehan, Youth Pastor and Content Creator for Life.Church's Switch Student Ministry. They discuss some of the ins and outs of digital youth ministry, how to reach students in the digital age, and the importance of being intentional about your digital strategy. Also, today's episode of the Blackbar Podcast is sponsored by LiveVo…

Recorded live from That Church Conference 2022, the Blackbar crew shares their first ever live keynote presentation! On this special episode, Caleb, Nick, & Zach present how digitizing your mission, getting specific, and adopting the model of digital missionaries can help churches work through the biggest hurdles that we all face when approaching o…

Nick & Zach talk with Ben Stapley - a pastor, speaker, coach, content creator, producer, and all around jack of all trades. We discuss how to lead well while navigating the changing seasons of ministry, and Ben shares what he's learned on how to best oversee, train, and lead ministry teams. Also, check out the link below to set up a leadership coac…

Recorded in a hotel room outside of Atlanta, the guys reconnect in person to talk about their experiences in rebranding and why brand identity is important. Today's conversation was sparked by our most recent video: How Often Should Your Church Rebrand? https://youtu.be/la2fdQQg1ds Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going: http://di…

On this episode, the guys talk with Justin Dean, Author, Marketing Director of Tithe.ly, and creator of That Church Conference, about both the importance and the necessity of public relations within the church. Justin also shares a bit about his time at Mars Hill Church and what he's learned on recovering from church hurt in a healthy way. The affi…

On this episode, Caleb and Zach talk with Jillian Lawson, lead interior designer with the Jillian Design Co. Informed by years of ministry experience, Jillian shares with us why interior design matters and how it can serve as an active and powerful extension of ministry. Head to Jillian's website for access to her free resources, blog posts, and to…

The guys talk with Tod Bolsinger, an author, consultant, & executive leadership coach, about leading well during times of crisis and uncertainty. Tod also talks a bit about the intersection of technology and theology as well as how that intersection has impacted the Christian faith. Text "CHANGE" to 66866 to stay connected with the Tod's resources …

Recorded live at the University of Valley Forge, the Blackbar crew is back together in person once again! On this special episode, Caleb, Nick, & Zach start out with an update on what you can expect from the future of Blackbar. From ministry and community opportunities to the shifting of content scheduling, the guys look forward to what the next ye…

On this episode, the guys break down why churches are having such a difficult time growing online. They discuss in what ways the paradigm of digital evangelism has shifted in the past two years, and they share some practical ways churches can grow their digital ministries in the years to come. Today's conversation was sparked by this week's video: …

On this episode, Zach, Caleb, and Nick talk with Carl Barnhill, owner of ready made media company Twelve Thirty Media and host of the Making Sunday Happen podcast. The guys discuss some of the the overall experiences and struggles that Christian content creators are facing right now, and Carl shares some tips on how to best manage the stress and re…

On part one of this two-part conversation, Caleb, Nick, and Zach discuss faith deconstruction with Garrett Vandenberg, a record producer, multi-instrumental songwriter, and host of the This Could Be Interesting podcast. Throughout this episode, the guys work to define deconstruction as it pertains to the Christian faith, identify some of the most p…

On part two of this two-part conversation, Caleb and Zach discuss faith deconstruction with Garrett Vandenberg, a record producer, multi-instrumental songwriter, and host of the This Could Be Interesting podcast. Throughout this episode, the guys work to identify ways that the Christian community at large as well as those in ministry-focused media …

On this episode, Nick and Caleb discuss what Christian influence has looked like in the world of video games and whether or not Jesus followers should embrace gaming culture. Check out the God Mode Activated gaming community: https://godmodeactivated.com/ Join the Blackbar community Discord to keep today's conversation going: http://discord.blk.bar…

On this episode, the guys breakdown some of Christianity's most iconic logos and ask, "Are these the best representations of the Christian faith in the modern age?" Today's conversation was sparked by our most recent video: Is the Cross Actually the Best Logo for Christianity? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLRaB0nIE3I Extra Episode Resources: The…

On this episode, the guys talk with podcaster and content creator Christina Jones about the importance of creatives both inside and outside of the church. From faith and health to creativity and inspiration, Christina shares what she's learned over the years of what it takes to be a creative. You can check out Christina Jones's podcast as well as h…

Ten Talks is a debate style segment that serves to challenge differing opinions while also encouraging each one of us to grow in the lost art of respectful disagreement. In today's conversation, Nick Meo faces off against Caleb Weidman to answer the question, "Should Your Church Continue Livestreaming?" After you listen to this episode, you can joi…

On this episode, the guys talk with Bill Snider and Patrick Tan of Asia Pacific Media about how their ministry is leveraging digital media to reach communities around the world. Based out of the Philippines, APMedia provides content, resources, and trainings for faith communities all throughout the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Throughout the epi…

On this episode, the guys dive into some advice, best practices, and lessons they've learned from both being and hiring freelancers. They also discuss some future predictions for how up and coming freelancing companies could both positively and negatively impact the role of the Christian creative. Join the Blackbar community Discord to keep today's…

On this Star Wars Day special, Zach and Nick talk with Scot Leonard, also known as Rogue Worship Leader, about topics ranging from worship and church production, to Tik Tok, memes, and, of course, all things Star Wars. Check out Scot's services as well as all Rogue Worship Leader content at his website: https://rogueworshipleader.com/ Intro/Outro M…

On this episode, Caleb and Zach talk with Grant Newswanger, Audio Engineer for Sight & Sound Theatre, about the nuances of mixing audio for large-scale theatre. Check out Sight & Sound Theatres live in both Lancaster, PA and Branson, MO: https://www.sight-sound.com/ Alternatively, you can stream their shows on your device with Sight & Sound TV: htt…

Ten Talks is a debate style segment that serves to challenge differing opinions while also encouraging each one of us to grow in the lost art of respectful disagreement. In today's conversation, Nick Meo will be facing off against Zach Snyder to answer the question, "Is it possible for media to be a ministry in and of itself?" After you listen to t…

On this episode, the guys talk about the dangers of allowing production value to become the ultimate focus of our work. They also discuss how culture, audience, and taste contribute to the subjectivity and relativity of production value. Today's conversation was sparked by this week's video: The Church Media World Has an Idol Problem... https://www…

Don't be a fool, listen all the way to the end of this April episode of the Blackbar Podcast... Today's conversation was sparked by our recent video: How to Make Christian Films That Don't Suck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONQbY5cW-g Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going: http://discord.blk.bar/…

On part 2 of our conversation with Jay Kranda, the guys talk with a returning community favorite about how to best navigate church in the online space. As Online Pastor from Saddleback Church, Jay's had years of experience learning about different forms that digital church ministry, connection, and discipleship can take. In this episode, he breaks …

On this week's episode, the guys talk with returning returning community favorite, Jay Kranda, about what online church discipleship can look like. As Online Pastor from Saddleback Church, Jay's had years of experience learning about the different forms that digital church ministry, connection, and discipleship can take. In this episode, he shares …

On this episode, the guys host a mini roast of Ben Franco as they discuss the value of criticism in the creative world. Ben, a content creator, teacher, and podcast cohost, shares his thought on the necessity of feedback and whether or not there's such a thing as healthy criticism. Be sure to check out Ben's podcast Incredible Critics: https://itun…

On this episode, the guys talk with Nik Goodner, founder of CRTVCHURCH, about how to foster a healthy community for church and ministry creatives. CRTVCHURCH provides daily content, workshops, + events to challenge the creative mind, restore the creative soul, and bring church creatives together. Check out some of the things that Nik and CRTVCHURCH…