About the Guest

Ashish Thomas is the International Head of Marketing for the groundbreaking television series "The Chosen." With a robust background in global marketing and communications, Ashish plays a pivotal role in expanding the series' reach worldwide. Growing up in the Himalayan mountains as the son of missionary doctors, Ashish developed a deep-rooted passion for storytelling and sharing the gospel through media. His innovative strategies have been instrumental in making "The Chosen" a cultural phenomenon, touching the lives of millions across various countries.

Key Takeaways:

• Uniqueness of "The Chosen": The series provides a fresh narrative by telling biblical stories from the perspective of those around Jesus, making the stories feel more personal and relatable.
• Marketing a Significant Subject: Marketing "The Chosen" involves a dual challenge of remaining true to its message while engaging a diverse global audience.
• Personal Connection: Ashish Thomas shares his journey from skepticism to passionate advocacy for the series, revealing the power of storytelling in changing perceptions.
• Cultural Impact: The series has initiated a new wave of faith-inspired media content, transcending traditional storytelling by deeply engaging with both Christian and mainstream audiences.
• Exploring Profound Questions: By focusing on the 'why' of pivotal biblical events, "The Chosen" encourages viewers to explore significant existential and faith-related questions.

Notable Quotes:

• "When you watch it, it's like the stained glass stories coming alive." - Ashish Thomas
• "The Chosen will explore the why. Why did Jesus have to die?" - Ashish Thomas
• "The pursuit of Jesus for the One that He always goes to." - Ashish Thomas
• "We just have to bring our five and our two and let God do the multiplication." - Ashish Thomas
• "It is a great way for someone to engage with the story of Jesus." - Ashish Thomas

Resources:

• For more updates on "The Chosen," visit their official website: The Chosen TV
• Follow Ashish Thomas on social media for insights into global marketing strategies and personal reflections on the series.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of faith, storytelling, and media. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how "The Chosen" is changing the landscape of faith-based content and sparking conversations about spirituality and purpose. Stay connected with us for more enlightening discussions on "Undistracted."

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Key Takeaways:

• "The Chosen in the Wild" is a captivating series that blends nature and faith, featuring the cast of "The Chosen" led by Bear Grylls.
• The series offers new insights into the lives of the cast, taking them out of controlled environments and into the unpredictability of the wilderness.
• Bear Grylls, known for his survival skills, uses this platform to discuss personal faith journeys with each actor.
• The show underscores Grylls' dedication to portraying faith as a dynamic element, influential beyond traditional settings.
• Bear Grylls has also authored "The Greatest Story Ever Told," highlighting his commitment to sharing the story of Jesus.

Notable Quotes:

• "Bear Grylls is quite a fan of the show, and so 'The Chosen in the Wild' is very much his passion project." - Laura Bennett
• "We get to see their vulnerabilities. We get to see them when they're not the ones in charge." - Laura Bennett
• "Faith and our relationship with Jesus isn't something that has to exist within the confines of church." - Laura Bennett
• "Last year he released a book, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told.'" - Laura Bennett
• "Now is the time to talk about faith, but also to make the point that…it doesn't have to be this sort of stuffy religious thing." - Laura Bennett

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Key Takeaways:

• Season 6 of "The Chosen" introduces emotional and dynamic scenes, particularly focusing on the disciples after Jesus' arrest.
• Matthias, who gains significant attention in the scene, might be a key figure as he replaces Judas among Jesus' followers.
• The scene uniquely blends seriousness and humor, reflecting the complex emotions of Jesus’ followers during a tumultuous time.
• Nicodemus makes a notable mention, suggesting his return or influence might play a role in the new season.
• Matthew's leadership is highlighted, foreshadowing his prominence in the disciples' plans and interactions.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's all about an unexpected visitor."
• "Matthias becomes the guy who replaces Judas."
• "The women followers of Jesus are out there… the blokes are in hiding."
• "The Chosen so often focuses on not Jesus, but the followers of Jesus and their reaction to what is happening to him."
• "Did you like it? Did you not like it? Did you want more?"

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Key Takeaways:

• Season six of "The Chosen" is expected to delve deeply into the emotions surrounding Jesus' crucifixion, offering a unique and intense exploration of this biblical event.
• The trailer's somber tone sets this season apart, preparing audiences for a portrayal of grief and loss as experienced by Jesus' disciples and followers.
• The series' approach to storytelling remains innovative, likely incorporating Old Testament prophecies and character backstories alongside the present narrative.
• Music will play a significant role in enhancing the narrative, with contributions from artists like Tyler Hubbard who have been inspired by the series.
• "The Chosen" continues to humanize historical figures, fostering a deeper connection and understanding for its audience, influencing both personal faith and broader cultural expressions.

Notable Quotes:

• "This is the moment where it gets real, you know, because we're suddenly realizing that the lead up to Jesus' crucifixion … is finally arriving." – Laura Bennett
• "Even for someone who has known this all their life … seeing it depicted may actually land in a different way." – Ben McEachen
• "We are going to see the disciples watch one of their best friends get murdered. Right. That is what is happening in this season." – Laura Bennett
• "A major studio is releasing a television series not just about Jesus, but about the death and the resurrection of Jesus." – Ben McEachen
• "Watch it almost as a disciplined experience, like, let this affect me." – Laura Bennett

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Episode 1 available April 7

The New Christian is a podcast for anyone exploring faith — asking big questions about who God is, who Jesus is, and what it really means to call yourself a Christian.

Hosted by Chris Jolly, Drive announcer on Hope 1032 and a relatively new Christian himself, this podcast follows a journey of discovery as Chris sits down with seasoned Christian leaders, mentors, and thinkers to explore the foundations of faith.

Season One covers questions like:

Who is God?

Who is Jesus?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Why church? Why prayer? Why does evil exist?

Even… how do you read the Bible?

Each episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation designed for the curious, the seeker, the new believer — and even the lifelong Christian wanting to go deeper.

No jargon. No assumptions. Just real questions, trusted voices, and a growing faith.

Whether you’re exploring Christianity for the first time or rediscovering it, you’re invited to learn alongside Chris — one conversation at a time.

Because some questions don’t have quick answers… but they’re worth asking.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at hope1032.com.au/podcasts.

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INTRODUCING UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett

When the afternoon slump starts to hit, Laura’s fun and quirky personality provide just the lift you need. And getting the kids home has never been more enjoyable – putting the ‘pick me up’ in the afternoon pick up – with this entertaining show that’s safe for young ears to listen to.

Our guest today is Australian actor George Xanthis, who plays John on 'The Chosen', the global hit series about the life of Jesus and his disciples. The next season is one the biggest as they face the crucifixion of Christ and in this episode, George not only talks about that, but about how a local Sydney boy got this gig, pressure to be a religious icon and how his spirituality has evolved during filming.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

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About the Guest:

Brandon Robbins is a dynamic Pastor and YouTuber with a deep passion for exploring and teaching the stories of Jesus and his disciples. He has been an enthusiastic follower of the Chosen series, dedicated to analysing and expanding on its theological and historical themes. Brandon is the author of "The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus," a book that dives deeper into the Chosen's episodes to enrich the understanding of Jesus's teachings. He is known for his insightful and engaging content that resonates with both the religious and mainstream audiences alike.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chosen series integrates modern entertainment with historical depth, providing a riveting portrayal of Jesus and his disciples.
• Understanding Jewish customs enriches the viewing experience, making connections with scripture more profound and insightful.
• The unique storytelling framework of the Chosen prioritises human experiences, drawing deeper personal connections to the events.
• Significant aspects of Christian spirituality, such as prayer and understanding scripture, are explored in depth to enhance spiritual transformation.
• The Chosen generates a community-driven movement, expanding biblical narratives into other media forms and platforms, fostering a global conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• "It focuses not just on telling the story of Jesus, but really telling the story of Jesus through the eyes of his disciples." – Brandon Robbins
• "Jewish people could do that with the whole Bible. And so when you see something quoted in Scripture… everybody knew what that meant." – Brandon Robbins
• “It was just beautiful to watch her eyes as she viewed Jesus in this way that is even different than what she experiences in church." – Brandon Robbins
• “The Chosen has been all about connecting with people. And that is what has caused them to just be evangelistic about it." – Brandon Robbins
• “When you can put that sort of stuff into a story and understand how it relates to people now, you'll see people dig into scriptures that nobody's ever really touched before.” – Brandon Robbins

Resources:

• Brandon Robbins's Book: The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus

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Key Takeaways:

• "The Promised Land" cleverly balances humor and deep theological themes to explore humanity's relationship with the divine.
• Leadership and forgiveness are central themes as Moses navigates his own pride and responsibilities.
• The series finale emphasizes the importance of community and collective worship in experiencing God's presence.
• Human imperfection, explored through characters like Bezalel and Aaron, underscores the message that God seeks obedience, not perfection.
• The show's ability to intertwine Old Testament stories with modern television genres opens new avenues for understanding biblical narratives.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The big finale to the big finale is worshipping God. And I'm kind of down with that." — Laura Bennett
2. "When you experience God's presence, there is a response. There can be nothing other than some kind of response." — Ben McEachen
3. "God doesn't want perfection. He wants obedience. And it's more that. It's more the heart attitude than the actual thing you're presenting." — Laura Bennett
4. "I liked how God came to the fore in the final couple of minutes." — Laura Bennett
5. "You can understand as a human who knows they're unworthy in front of God." — Ben McEachen

Laura Bennett hosts Hope Afternoons in Sydney, Australia, and UNDISTRACTED podcast. Laura has reviewed TV and movies for Hope 1032 for more than a decade.

Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings in Sydney, Australia, and co-hosts Money: Faith and Finance. Ben has reviewed TV and movies for Empire, News Ltd and Hope 1032.

Have you heard of The Watchlist? Catch this amazing podcast here!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.