CJ and Grant are back (it's been a minute) to go deeper on New Life's "At the Movies" series — and to get there, they have to start all the way back in Genesis.

They walk through why Genesis 1–11 sets the stage for the entire Bible, what "dominion" actually means, and how the privation view of evil — the idea that evil isn't its own thing but a corruption of something good — changes the way we watch every story, from Barbie to Breaking Bad.

Along the way:

• Why humanity's push for kings, power, and control keeps replaying Genesis 3
• What Genesis 1–11 has in common with a rough first season of your favorite sitcom
• How Hollywood's best storytellers accidentally (or intentionally) point straight at the gospel
• Why "us vs. them" thinking always starts with dehumanizing someone made in the image of God
• The difference between watching a movie mindlessly and watching it with compassion
• How seeing people as longing rather than as enemies changes the way you love them

A conversation about learning to notice what every story — good, bad, or deeply uncomfortable — is really reaching for, and why the answer is always Jesus.

In Episode 8 of Ecosystem, we dig into the Gravity series and the cultural storylines shaping the world around us. From politics and identity to hustle culture and entitlement, we uncover the “gravitational pulls” that can quietly draw us away from Jesus—and how Scripture calls us to live differently.

This episode is about:

• Recognizing the longings in culture that only Jesus can fulfill.

• Learning to think critically while staying compassionate.

• Resisting cultural drift without isolating from the world.

• Following Jesus as exiles who work for the good of the city while remembering we’re made for more.

Join us as we laugh, reflect, and challenge each other to resist gravity and keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

In this episode of Ecosystem, we sit down with Sarah Olsen, a personal trainer, life group leader, and soon-to-be licensed mental health counselor, to talk about holistic health—spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical—and how each area is deeply connected in the life of a Jesus follower.

Drawing from scripture, personal experience, and professional insight, Sarah helps us explore:
What the Bible really says about taking care of your body
Why physical health is a spiritual discipline
How stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being impact the body—and vice versa
The importance of slowing down, listening to God, and stewarding your health
Why lasting change starts with a heart transformation, not just head knowledge

This conversation is both practical and deeply encouraging—whether you're starting a health journey, recovering from burnout, or just feeling overwhelmed in your faith walk. Sarah reminds us that taking care of ourselves is not selfish—it’s a way to honor God, love others, and become healthy to the core.

Scriptures Referenced:

• 1 Timothy 4:8

• Romans 12:1–2

• 1 Corinthians 6:12, 19–20 & 10:31

• Matthew 22:37–39

• Proverbs 4:23 & 13:30

• Ezekiel 36:26–27

• 2 Timothy 4:2

• 1 Peter 1:13

Whether you're a new believer or a seasoned follower of Jesus, this episode is a reminder that your body, mind, and soul are all part of the same ecosystem—and God cares about all of it.