Let's face it: Clean comedies are hard to come by these days (like... annoyingly rare) . So when I heard a new karaoke-themed comedy starring Chonda Pierce was in the works, my interest was officially piqued. And when I discovered my friend-whom-I-have-yet-to-meet-in-person Chris Dowling was helming the project, my interest was doubly piqued. Around this time last year, I watched Dowling's 2014 film Where Hope Grows (my first exposure to his work) and explained why everyone and their mother should watch it. Read my full review here . If you're not familiar with comedian Chonda Pierce's work, I just have one question for you... WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? Chonda's talent speaks for itself. Her comedy, her accent, her stories...what's not to love? Follow her on Facebook and Instagram so you don't miss any of her lighthearted, good-natured, hilarious content. One more fun connection I have to this film is that one of the producers ( Ken Carpenter of Nook Lane Entertainment ) also produced a film I had a principal role in last year entitled Surprised by Oxford ! It hasn't released yet, but the trailer looks AMAZING . Ok, so now that I've built up a little suspense and anticipation, let me tell you a little bit about the film... It's called Roll With It and it's about a widow who waits tables at Biscuit Barrel (Cracker Barrel's little-known rival, no doubt) and finds herself entering a karaoke competition to save her house from foreclosure by a man who pooped in her sandbox. That's all I'm gonna say. (Trust me...it will all make sense when you watch the movie.) Check out the official trailer below.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts to reach out to Chris Pratt, composer Aaron Fullan of Clinton, Iowa received an unexpected call last week that will forever change the trajectory of his career.

It's official: Adventures in Odyssey is turning 35. Such impressive longevity for a show (let alone a RADIO show) begs the question, "How do they do it!?" For those who are in the dark regarding what Adventures in Odyssey even is , let me briefly explain: It's a radio drama (think movie, minus the visuals) produced by Focus on the Family . Originally introduced as a 13-episode pilot series entitled Family Portraits in 1987, the overwhelmingly positive response from listeners led to a follow-up series called Odyssey USA (later renamed Adventures in Odyssey in 1988). Set in the small, fictional town of Odyssey, each episode centers around the adventures of its (mostly) lovable residents and the important lessons they learn along the way. In 2005, Adventures in Odyssey was averaging 1.2 million daily listeners in North America alone. The immense popularity of the show spawned a spin-off series of animated videos, board games, computer games, novels, devotionals, and yes - even action figures! 35 years later and 900+ episodes later, Adventures in Odyssey is still going strong. As a lifetime listener of this incredibly impactful show, I have a few theories as to why many (including myself) would venture to dub it "the greatest show on earth." Now to be perfectly honest and forthright, most of my opinions of the show are based on the first 15 years or so of its run. That was "my era", so to speak, and thus...the era I've mostly introduced to my own children. Similar to early Pixar films, there was something magical about the early Odyssey shows in how they could entertain and challenge both children and adults alike. In my own opinion, some of the newer shows (although still popular and well-received) have lost the original "luster" that made the show a cross-generational hit. With that being said, I think the long-term success of the show can be attributed to the following key factors: story, casting, quality, and mission. STORY - Although the storylines of the various main characters in Adventures in Odyssey have changed and developed over the decades, there is an important through line that has remained consistent: a feeling of home . Odyssey is a fictitious place, yes. But something about it feels so...familiar. So relatable. The town of Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show had a similar quality to it. In well-written shows, the fact that a certain place and characters don't exist doesn't really matter. We as the audience are so drawn into the story that we gladly overlook that seemingly insignificant detail. So much so, in fact, that we often find ourselves daydreaming about how we would love to live in such a place and belong to such a community. We begin to see a Whit's End in every Victorian home we pass by and a John Avery Whittaker (or "Whit" as he prefers to be called) in every wise and seasoned man we meet. That, my friends, is how you know you've stumbled upon something great. Adventures in Odyssey is escapism at its finest. The scripts are extremely well-written. The themes are consistently relatable. The characters are colorful, yet believable. And speaking of characters... CASTING - This should obviously go without saying, but the quality of actors cast in a show makes a massive impact on the success and long-term potential of said show. The early pioneers of Adventures in Odyssey (here's lookin' at you, Steve Harris and Phil Lollar) were obviously very aware of that fact, because the cast they pulled together for the show's main characters was nothing short of perfect. One of those lightening strike moments where you not only manage to pull together an incredibly gifted team of actors, but actors who have a palpable chemistry that can be felt by voice alone. Hal Smith as John Avery Whitaker ( Andy Griffith Show , Winnie the Pooh ), Katie Leigh as Connie Kendall ( Muppet Babies, Adventures of the Gummi Bears ), Will Ryan as Eugene Meltsner ( The Land Before Time , An American Tail ), Chris Anthony as Chris ( Barbie , Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts ), Walker Edmiston as Tom Riley ( Gunsmoke , Mission: Impossible ), and Dave Madden as Bernard Walton ( The Partridge Family , Alice ) are just a sampling of the incredible performers who have lent their vocal talents to bringing the world of Odyssey to life over the years. Each line given to these actors was delivered in such a genuine and natural way that you never stopped to give their performances a second thought (which is obviously the tell-tale sign of excellent acting). I kid you not, there are a few episodes that still make me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I listen to them. Without fail. Recollections , Karen , Connie, just to name a few. Powerful storytelling coupled with some of the best voice acting you'll ever hear on radio (or even film, come to think of it). And don't even get me started on the comedic elements of the show... The comedic sensibilities of both the cast and crew proved to be an unrivaled combination, leading to the creation of some of the most oft-quoted episodes in the Fullan household ( License to Drive , Poor Loser , The Right Choice , Love Is in the Air , etc.). Simply put, the core cast of Adventures in Odyssey is on par with any of television's most beloved sitcoms. QUALITY - It is reported that in the early days of Adventures in Odyssey , each half-hour episode took about 100 hours to produce. That fact alone is proof enough of the love and care that was put into making this show the best that it could be. The custom sound design (including foley, which added an unprecedented sense of realism to each scene) and custom musical scores of Odyssey set the standard of quality for future generations of radio drama producers, and sparked a renewed interest in the art form itself. Fun fact: I composed the original music for two episodes of Adventures in Odyssey , which was an absolute dream come true for me. You can learn more about that experience by watching this behind-the-scenes video ! MISSION - The most important ingredient of Adventures in Odyssey 's success? Their commitment to honoring Christ and instilling Biblical values via the stories they choose to tell. It is so obvious to me how (and why) God has blessed this show and caused it to thrive like it has over the past 3+ decades. I honestly can't underestimate the impact listening to this show had on my childhood, and how it helped to shape me into the man I am today. And now I have the honor and thrill of seeing my own children fall in love with it (and more importantly, learn from it) just as I did so many years ago. Sadly (yet understandably in many cases), faith-based entertainment has a reputation for being "cheesy" and unrealistic in their depiction of what life is really like. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Adventures in Odyssey has been an exception to that stereotype. Tackling tough topics like death, greed, divorce, alcoholism, etc. is no easy task, especially when trying to make them accessible to young children. But the producers of Adventures in Odyssey managed to find that ever-elusive, delicate balance of realism and consumability. I applaud them for their years of godly influence on multiple generations of young people, providing parents with an important and God-honoring alternative to screen time in all of its various forms. In summary? If you haven't given Adventures in Odyssey a try, PLEASE JUST DO IT . I promise you won't regret it. Even if it isn't your cup of tea, see what your kids think and I'm quite confident they'll quickly become die-hard fans in no time at all. :) If/when you do decide to dip your toe in Odyssey's Trickle Lake (if you know, you know), I'd advise you start at the very beginning so you can get to know all of the beloved characters as the rest of the world got to know them. Yes, the early episodes may sound a bit dated, but trust me...the quality of storytelling will you draw you in regardless. You can access all 900+ episodes (and so much more) via the Adventures in Odyssey Club . The cost is $10/month or $107.88/year ($8.99/month) for 5 accounts. As a long-time subscriber, I can say without hesitation that it has been worth every penny for our family. Thank you, Adventures in Odyssey ...for everything. Your lifelong fan, Aaron

One homeschooler’s unlikely journey from growing up in rural Iowa to working with some of the biggest studios in Hollywood.

Let's face it, folks: Even though films and TV series are being produced and released in record numbers these days, quality, character-filled, thought-provoking family entertainment is disappointingly hard to come by. I recently spoke with director Chris Dowling over the phone and we talked at length about the importance of Christians setting the standard in filmmaking and storytelling. Rather than existing solely to "fill a gap", making subpar films to appease the masses who are consuming strictly faith-based content, we should consistently be making the very best films in the world. Why? Because God created art. He cares about art. He is passionate about storytelling. And yes, believe it or not - He even demands quality, excellence, and diligence. "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23) "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men." (Proverbs 22:29) We shouldn't be making the best films on the planet for the purpose of gaining Hollywood's applause and admiration, but rather to honor the Lord wholeheartedly with our gifts, talents, and abilities. That's why when I watch a movie like Dowling's Where Hope Grows , I want to shout "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? GO WATCH THIS FILM!!" from the rooftops of social media and beyond. This film is special for so many reasons, but I'll try to just name a few so you can stop reading this and go watch it. First things first: The synopsis. A baseball player whose professional career was cut short due to his personal problems is suddenly awakened and invigorated by a young man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store. [official trailer below] The film was noticeably well-cast (some very impressive moments throughout), featuring David DeSanctis as one of the first actors with Down syndrome to play a leading role in an English-language feature film. Quite frankly, David (who plays the role of Produce) knocked it out of the park. He made me smile. He made me laugh. He pulled incessantly at my heartstrings. He was so... real . His authenticity shined through, eliminating any and all traces of the usual "rookie nerves" you might spot when watching the film of any first-time actor. Actor Kris Polaha also gave an effortless performance as Calvin, anchoring the entire film with a tangible sense of professionalism and imbibing the emotional transparency that his role required. Dowling's directing and writing was delightfully natural and non-invasive. The poignant moments didn't feel forced and manufactured. Rather, we as the audience are privileged to be silent observers of a true-to-life "reenactment" of some hard-hitting issues, including discrimination, alcoholism, adultery, sexual assault etc. Where Hope Grows is rated PG-13 for some of the reasons I just mentioned, so parents - be sure to preview the film so you can accurately determine the appropriateness for your younger children/viewers. Every family is different with regard to "what they can handle", so discernment is always encouraged. I could go on, but for the sake of maintaining a bit of mystery and intrigue about the film, I'll wrap this up. Succinctly put, Where Hope Grows is for everyone. Regardless of who you are or what your background is, this film will touch your heart and inspire you to be a better person. It will challenge you to reevaluate your own preconceived notions about those with "special needs" and encourage you to live life to the very fullest of your potential. So often, God uses the unexpected to bring about necessary change and growth in our lives. Don't believe me? The proof is in the produce aisle. You can watch Where Hope Grows on PureFl i x (free 7-day trial, anyone?), Amazon , YouTube , Apple , Google , and Vudu . Take your pick, pop some popcorn, and hunker down for a movie night to remember. "...Life is meant to be lived. Lived abundantly. You look around in the cemetery, you see there are two dates on every tombstone. There's a birth date. And there is a date of death. Every human being is guaranteed those two dates. But that little dash that lies in between those two numbers - that's what defines our life. So make your dash count. LIVE. REALLY LIVE..."