Men at the Movies Podcast

Holding Up the Mirror: See Your Story the Way God Does

What if the long road is not a delay, but preparation?In this episode of Men at the Movies, filmmaker Daniel Chesnut shares how a winding journey through surfing, filmmaking, and seasons of waiting shaped his calling long before the work ever mattered. We talk about story as a mirror, why encounter matters more than output, and how reflecting a man’s story back to him can awaken something sacred.This conversation is for men who feel restless, unfinished, or quietly aware there is more to their story.🎬 Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/h6ayEKaR4Hc📘 Download the free study guidehttps://bit.ly/4jhacBv🔗 Learn more about Wild at Heart the Serieshttps://www.youtube.com/@WildatHeartOfficialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXe4GhWn0uc

The Family Man: Who Will You Choose?

What if the life you're building is costing you the life you actually want? Jack Campbell thought he had everything—until he wakes up one Christmas morning living the life he walked away from thirteen years ago. The mysterious glimpse he didn't ask for opens his eyes to all that he had been missing, forcing him to answer a central question: who will he choose? In this episode, Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney dive deep into The Family Man (2000) starring Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni, exploring themes of identity, choices, consequences, and redemption. FREE STUDY GUIDE: Download discussion questions, action steps, and Scripture references at https://bit.ly/44SWzlW WHAT WE DISCUSS: - How your aim determines who you become - Why the interruption you resist might be exactly what you need - The difference between people and possessions—who would cry if you disappeared? - God's promise to restore wasted years (Joel 2:25)- Why it's never too late to start choosing a better story - The Matthew McConaughey question: Who do you want to be in 10 years? Whether you're navigating career decisions, marriage, fatherhood, or questioning your life's direction, this conversation offers Biblical wisdom and practical challenges. ABOUT MEN AT THE MOVIES: A faith-based podcast helping Christian men discover God's truth through film analysis. We explore movies as modern parables, unpacking themes of masculinity, purpose, faith, and transformation. Hosted by Paul McDonald with co-host Britt Mooney.#ChristianPodcast #MensPodcast #FaithAndFilm #TheFamilyMan #BiblicalMasculinity #ChristianMen #MovieAnalysis #FaithBasedContent

The Wrath of Khan (pt 2 of 2): I Am and Always Shall Be Your Friend

"Is the ship out of danger?" Spock's first question to Kirk after sacrificing himself wasn't about his own survival—it was about whether his life counted for something. Part 1 forced Kirk to accept death is coming. Part 2 asks the harder question: What will you lose your life for?Khan's superior genetics bought him nothing but wasted rage. Spock's sacrifice bought new life for everyone he loved. How we face death is as important as how we face life. You're going to lose your life anyway—will it be worth it?This episode is dedicated to Jeremy Ross (1974-2025), who faced his Kobayashi Maru with the same strength and grace Spock faced that reactor core.KEY THEMES:Sacrificial love as the answer to the no-win scenarioForgiveness vs. bitterness—releasing wounds before they destroy youFaith through pain—choosing God even when crushedMaking your life count—what will you lose your life for?📥 FREE STUDY GUIDE:Download discussion questions and action steps at https://bit.ly/48czRGI💝 SUPPORT AMANDA ROSS & FAMILY:Jeremy's wife Amanda and their daughters need our support as they continue their mission work. Donate at https://give.pioneers.orgClick "Give to a missionary" and put "Amanda Ross-101561" in the comment section. Or make checks payable to Pioneers, put account number 101561 on the memo line and mail to: Pioneers-USA, 10123 William Carey Dr, Orlando, FL 32832)🎥 WATCH ON YOUTUBE:https://youtu.be/3pLl3BDqDYCONNECT:Website: menatthemovies.comInstagram/TikTok/FB: @menatthemoviesEmail: paul@menatthemovies.com

The Wrath of Khan: When the Cheat Codes Stop Working

To support Amanda Ross, go to https://give.pioneers.org/s-donate and fill out the form using “Amanda Ross” and Account #101561Make checks payable to “Pioneers” with “Account #101561” on the memo line and mail to: Pioneers, 10123 William Carey Drive, Orlando, FL 32832Captain Kirk doesn’t believe in the no-win scenario—but life doesn’t play by cheat codes forever. In The Wrath of Khan: When the Cheat Codes Stop Working, Paul McDonald explores what happens when control slips away, wounds resurface, and every path forward looks like loss.Kirk’s arrogance and Khan’s bitterness reveal two ways men try to avoid pain: one by rewriting the rules, the other by feeding resentment. Both end in destruction. The real test is learning how to face death, grief, and failure without losing your soul.This episode dives into faith, courage, and transformation—the moment when every man must face his own Kobayashi Maru.Download the free study guide: https://bit.ly/4oTNQHJSupport the mission: https://buymeacoffee.com/menatthemoviesConfined Space Coffee: https://www.confinedspacecoffee.com/ (use code MATM for 10% off)Keywords: Wrath of Khan, Star Trek, Men at the Movies, Paul McDonald, Christian men, faith and film, masculinity, courage, surrender, grief, forgiveness, no-win scenario, transformation, Kobayashi Maru, Christian podcast, faith podcast

Adolescence pt. 1: "I Don't Know What I'm Doing Here"

“I don’t know what I’m doing here.” Eddie whispers as his 13-year-old son sits in a police cell accused of murder. It’s a confession every father feels but rarely admits — standing in the chaos, with no way out and no guarantee you won’t make it better.In this episode of Men at the Movies, Paul McDonald and Simon (host of the Restoring Authentic Men podcast) unpack Part 1 of Netflix’s Adolescence. We wrestle with the illusion of control, the silence between fathers and sons, the fragility of boyhood, and the courage it takes to stay present when everything is falling apart.👉 Grab the free study guide here: http://bit.ly/4nCEWhN📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NEHy8znRqfoWhat you’ll hear in this episode:Why “I don’t know what I’m doing here” isn’t failure, but the starting line for every fatherHow shame creates a silence gap between dads and sonsWhy presence matters more than performance in our familiesPractical steps for letting go of control and embracing the messListen to Restoring Authentic Men (RAM Podcast) – Listen here