Forefront Sounds
In this series from the Forefront Podcast Network, music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. Through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.
Episodes

Mar 11, 2026
Mar 11, 2026
1 hr 6 min
Dan Becker and Zack Osinski talk about the music of Joni Mitchell.
In Forefront Sounds, music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. There are obvious and important critiques of these artists and their work from a Christian perspective, but those critiques are not the focus of this show. Rather, through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.

Feb 11, 2026
Feb 11, 2026
59 min
Dan Becker and Cody Schweickert talk about the music of Black Sabbath.
In Forefront Sounds, music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. There are obvious and important critiques of these artists and their work from a Christian perspective, but those critiques are not the focus of this show. Rather, through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.

Jan 14, 2026
Jan 14, 2026
1 hr 1 min
Dan Becker and Dan Kunkel talk about the music of Kendrick Lamar.
In Forefront Sounds, music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. There are obvious and important critiques of these artists and their work from a Christian perspective, but those critiques are not the focus of this show. Rather, through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.

Dec 10, 2025
Dec 10, 2025
53 min
Dan Becker and Bobby Benavides talk about the music of Lil Wayne.
In Forefront Sounds, music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. There are obvious and important critiques of these artists and their work from a Christian perspective, but those critiques are not the focus of this show. Rather, through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.

Nov 12, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
1 hr 33 sec
Dan Becker, Lauren Lowin, Missy Christman, and Rich Christman talk about the music of Taylor Swift.
In Forefront Sounds, music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. There are obvious and important critiques of these artists and their work from a Christian perspective, but those critiques are not the focus of this show. Rather, through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.

Oct 8, 2025
Oct 8, 2025
1 hr 6 min
Dan Becker and Rich Christman talk about the music of John Denver.
In Forefront Sounds, music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. There are obvious and important critiques of these artists and their work from a Christian perspective, but those critiques are not the focus of this show. Rather, through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.

Sep 20, 2025
Sep 20, 2025
1 hr 3 min
Dan, Rich, and Nate discuss the question "What is Christian music?" This kicks off the new series Forefront Sounds, in which music enthusiast Dan Becker talks to people about music that has impacted them—including and especially music outside of the "Christian music" genre. There are obvious and important critiques of these artists and their work from a Christian perspective, but those critiques are not the focus of this show. Rather, through examining the work of popular bands and songwriters, he explores the idea from C.S. Lewis that "God gave the pagans good dreams"—that there may be truth (and musical beauty) in places we do not expect.



