Biola Backstage

Backstage with George Khoury, Director of Pulchrum 2026: Art in the Apocalypse

The Torch Podcast Network — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0700

In this episode, founder and CEO of Pulchrum, George Khoury, walks us through what Pulchrum Conference is and the meaning of this year's theme: "Art in the Apocalypse."

Pulchrum is a Christian non-profit arts organization dedicated to cultivating artistic work oriented towards truth, goodness, and beauty. Learn more about Pulchrum here.

Backstage with Biola Film Festival winners

The Torch Podcast Network — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:11:47 -0700

In this episode, our host, Reagan Glidewell, takes the red carpet at the Biola Film Festival. Hear from some of the winners.

Backstage with Maddie Araman and Ashton Pulis of "Live from Lot F"

The Torch Podcast Network — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0800

Writers and actors Maddie Araman and Ashton Pulis walk us through the production of "Live from Lot F" which premieres tomorrow. "Live from Lot F" is a sketch show that features student written and student performed sketch comedy.

Showings December 10. See tickets here.

Backstage with Kaylin Kenders and Lauren Tateishi of "They're Getting Married Again?"

The Torch Podcast Network — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0800

Director Kaylin Kenders and Production Stage Manager Lauren Tateishi walks us through the fully student-run show "They're Getting Married Again?" which premieres tomorrow. The pair talks all about the comedy, their experiences, and...stunts?

The show takes place ninety minutes shy of the renewal of vows for characters Avery and Madison. The maid of honor and organizer extraordinaire, Evelyn Adler, is sent into a tailspin as she tries to pull everything together for her best friend. Finding the groom unconscious proves to be the least of her worries as she deals with a missing priest, propaganda puppets and her mother to make sure everything is perfect - for better or for worse.

Showings November 20-23. For more details and to get your tickets, click this link.

Backstage with Audrey Schnell, Director of 'It Pays to Advertise'

The Torch Podcast Network — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:51:59 -0700

Branching out from her CMA roots, Audrey Schnell walks us through her theatrical directorial debut of the classic American play, “It Pays to Advertise”. From funny moments in rehearsal, to overcoming the struggles of rehearsing without a set, Audrey gives us a peek backstage at what it was like to make this year's Torrey Theater play happen.

Drama, romance, and good clean humor. “It Pays to Advertise” tells the story of a young man that sets out to prove to his father anything can be sold if you advertise it properly—even if it doesn’t exist. Problems arise when his advertisements are more successful than he ever could have imagined, but he has nothing to deliver.

Showings April 4-5. For more details and to get your tickets, click this link.

Backstage with Emma Broyles, Jonny Harmon and Po Yin Sham, writer, co-directors and producer of the dance musical film “A Lovely Ending”

The Torch Podcast Network — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 19:00:00 -0700

Biola Backstage is back again for Season 3! Executive producer and host Hope Li talks to Biola Snyder School students Emma Broyles, Jonny Harmon ‘24 and Po Yin Sham about how in the world their award-winning film “A Lovely Ending” had its beginnings. Hear about certain actors’ casting rizz, Easter eggs, a tangent on Emma’s wedding cake goals and why we need to hug our moms more.

(02:15) - Finding a lovely name
(04:43) - Beginnings of the ending
(10:15) - A lovely co-director
(14:40) - Writing (and finishing) a lovely script
(19:41) - Also, Emma and Po are roommates
(26:41) - The lovely actors, and calling Dibs
(40:04) - A love for musicals (and people) makes for a lovely film
(54:50) - Locations, locations, locations ... Shout out BeReal!
(01:02:35) - Easter eggs, tea and a wedding cake request
(01:11:01) - Emma's mom and mothers' sacrificial love
(01:16:17) - Therapy and the stress of making a lovely film
(01:22:58) - Post-production: a lovely ending to "A Lovely Ending"
(01:26:29) - Final remarks

About “A Lovely Ending”

“A Lovely Ending” is a film from Biola’s Snyder School of Cinema Media Arts that took almost two years to make, with almost 130 cast and crew members. It premiered at Biola University’s newly-renovated Ethel Lee Auditorium on Sept. 20, 2024. Watch the trailer here, and follow the film’s Instagram @alovelyending.musical as it continues on its award-winning journey. The official soundtrack to the film is available on Spotify and all the other music streaming platforms.

To watch the trailers of the films we mentioned in the episode, head to Jonny’s Linktree. For more of his work, follow him on Instagram @harmonmedia. Catch Emma’s recent scribblings on her Substack and her Instagram @emma_of_everywhere, and find Po cooking mushrooms, crocheting and on her Instagram @poyinsham.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Biola Backstage! If you are interested in learning more about the people we interviewed or have ideas for future guests, please email us at torchradio@biola.edu or DM us on Instagram @kbr_torch_radio.

Backstage with Dr. Matt Hall, Provost and Senior Vice President

The Torch Podcast Network — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 09:25:59 -0800

Dr. Matt Hall joins us on this episode of Biola Backstage. We ask him questions about his education, his teaching career, his relationship with the Spanish language and culture alongside discussing some other intriguing topics.

About Dr. Matt Hall
Dr. Hall grew up in Spain as a missionary kid before coming to America. He comes from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he has been an associate professor of church history, vice president for academic services, the dean of Boyce College and the provost and senior vice president of academic administration.
Dr. Hall on the Directory
Dr. Hall's LinkedIn

Backstage with Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace Grace, Directors of the Center for Marriage and Relationships

The Torch Podcast Network — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 08:40:40 -0800

Dr. Chris Grace and his wife Alisa Grace join us for this Valentine's Day special on relationships, dating and singleness. One of the key points discussed in this episode was by Alisa who said that we should date for patterns, not potential. Dr. Grace regales us with some of his stories of when he first started dating and provides wisdom and insight in that area of life.

About the Graces
Dr. Chris Grace is the founder and co-director of the Center for Marriage and Relationships at Biola University. He has been with Biola since 1988 where he started as a professor in the Rosemead School of Psychology. His wife, Alisa, co-teaches a class on Christian marriage and relationships and is a co-director of the CMR alongside her husband. Additionally, they are the hosts of the "Art of Relationships" podcast where they discuss more relationship/marriage/singleness topics in depth. Together, they have three children and several grandchildren they are extremely proud of.
Dr. Chris Grace
Alisa Grace
The Art of Relationships Podcast
The Center for Marriage and Relationships

Thank you for listening to this episode of Biola Backstage! If you are interested in learning more about the person we interviewed or have ideas for future guests, please email us at torchradio@biola.edu or DM us on Instagram @kbr_torch_radio.

Backstage with Dr. Rachel Bodell, Host of "The Bible in a Year (The Story)"

The Torch Podcast Network — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 19:18:24 -0800

Crowell School of Business professor Dr. Rachel Bodell sits down to talk about her recent passion project for 2023: The Bible in a Year: The Story. She explains how the Bible podcasts were typically just commentary, just reading the Bible in a year or from the Catholic perspective. She saw a unique opportunity to fill a void. Through this podcast, Dr. Bodell explains how she had grown from hosting the podcast, drawing on theologians from Biola and bringing the Bible to people in a short, understandable way.

About Dr. Rachel Bodell

Dr. Bodell has studied all over the world — earning her undergraduate degree in the U.S., her masters in France and her doctorate in England. She joined Biola as an adjunct professor in 2019 and has been an associate professor since 2021.

Bodell’s CV

The Bible in a Year (The Story)

Backstage with Dr. Todd Guy, Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Communication

The Torch Podcast Network — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 20:50:45 -0800

Host Charlotte McKinley sits down with Dr. Todd Guy, Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Communication, to talk about his life to Biola, his experience with music and what he does as a dean. They talk about SoFAC and how it's unique with its divisions, how Dr. Guy's primary objective is to equip faculty with the tools to better equip their students, changes and advice he would give to SoFAC students in particular.

About Dr. Todd Guy
Dr. Todd Guy did his undergraduate work at Marion College studying church music, music education and applied voice. He received his master's at Northwestern University before getting his doctorate in choral conducting at Ball State University. Before joining Biola as the Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Communication, he was a professor, chair and interim dean at Indiana Wesleyan for 30 years.

Backstage with Dr. Barry Corey, President of Biola University

The Torch Podcast Network — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0800

President Dr. Barry Corey from Biola University joins us on this podcast episode to talk about his job as a president and what he does, explains his moniker “DBC,” talks about his children’s graduation handshake, and gives some advice to Biola students.

Dr. Corey describes being President of Biola with five areas:

Board development
Building the mission and vision of Biola
Internal and external ambassador
Resource development
Personal professional development

About Dr. Barry Corey

Dr. Barry Corey is the 8th president of Biola University, starting his term 16 years ago in 2007. He holds a B.A. in English and biblical studies from Evangel University and his M.A. in American studies and Ph.D. in education from Boston College.

Corey’s Biola Profile

Backstage with Dr. Gary Lindblad, Dean of the Crowell School of Business

The Torch Podcast Network — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 12:12:36 -0800

Dr. Gary Lindblad joins us today as we talk about his experiences at Biola, how he got into business and his budding music hobby. In this episode, Dr. Lindblad explains how he got to where he was, his long history at Biola (including living on campus with his wife who was a Resident Director), and how over COVID, he started recording songs from his home studio.

ABOUT DR. LINDBLAD
Dr. Lindblad earned his undergraduate degree in English and Education from the SUNY, College at Fredonia before obtaining a masters in Christian Education from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University as well as a masters and doctorate degrees from UCLA in higher education, work and organizational change. Dr. Lindblad has been the dean of the Crowell School of Business since 2014 and is retiring in June of 2023 with many plans for retirement.
Dr. Lindblad's CV
Dr. Lindblad on Spotify
Dr. Lindblad on Apple Music

Backstage with Professor Matthew Weathers, Adjunct and AIT Administrator

The Torch Podcast Network — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:59:19 -0800

Adjunct professor of mathematics and Applied Instructional Technology Administrator for the Office of Digital Learning and Program Development Matthew Weathers joins us today to tell us a few stories from his life as a Biola student and his computer tricks he went viral for. He explains that it is important to be intentional — take the extra time to get ahead and do things well. Dividends will pay off.

About Matthew Weathers
Weathers has a B.S. in Math and Computer Science from Biola and an M.S. in computer science from University of Southern California. He has been teaching in the Department of Math and Computer Science since 1998 and is known among his students as a professor who loves explaining math and having fun with his students. Weathers went viral in 2017 for the computer tricks he played on his students.
Weather’s CV

Subscribe to Weather’s YouTube Channel

Math Teacher Pranks Class Video

Backstage with Dr. Joy Qualls, School of Fine Arts and Communication Associate Dean

The Torch Podcast Network — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0800

Did you know that the Associate Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Communication has three different communication degrees — a B.A., M.A., and a Ph.D.! Dr. Joy Qualls joins host Charlotte McKinley on this episode of Biola Backstage. They talk about Dr. Qualls' experiences in work, her job in Washington, D.C., and advice she has gathered along the journey. Her most notable piece of advice is to enjoy the journey of being a college student — there is always a lot more time to be an adult.

About the Guest
Dr. Joy Qualls is an associate dean in Biola's School of Fine Arts and Communication. She teaches courses in communications research and political communication. Qualls started at Biola as a chair before moving into her current position. She graduated with a B.A. in Communication Studies from Vanguard University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from Regent University with research emphases in religious and political rhetoric.

Backstage w/ Christie Macris, Biola Student Government Association President

The Torch Podcast Network — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 15:00:00 -0800

Backstage with Bradley Plausse, Director of Theatre 21 Play "Macbeth"

The Torch Podcast Network — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:17:42 -0700

Welcome back to season 2 of Biola Backstage! Your station manager and host, Charlotte McKinley, has a chat with CMA major Bradley Plausse who is the director of Biola Theatre 21's play Macbeth. They discuss how Bradley started leading a theater production despite being CMA, his past experiences with directing and other anecdotes and stories that come to mind as they discuss the play.

"Macbeth" runs

Friday, Oct. 21 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 23 2:30 p.m.

You don't want to miss this production! Buy your tickets here.

Backstage with Megan Callender, Adjunct Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Torch Podcast Network — Tue, 10 May 2022 12:30:36 -0700

On this week's episode of BIola Backstage, Professor Megan Callender shares her journey in becoming a professor at Biola in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Professor Callender shares the ways she has seen God's faithfulness pursue and satisfy her throughout her career, opening one door after the other. She discusses how to discern a promise from God versus a promise of our own by looking at the story of Joseph and seeing how God turned a hopeless situation into a fulfillment of His promise.

Professor Callender is an adjunct professor at Biola University in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Backstage with Eddie Shepard, Associate Athletic Director and New Testament Professor

The Torch Podcast Network — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 15:58:36 -0700

Eddie Shepard joins Hayden Avakian in this episode of Biola Backstage as they dive into athletics, community and how to better create community. Is it all right to be lonely? How is community created? Is there something wrong with me if I don't have a strong community like I anticipated having? Curious of the answers? Give this episode a listen to find out!

About Eddie Shepard
Eddie Shepard started his Biola career as a student athlete for the swim team. Later, he became the coach for the swim team before transitioning to the Associate Athletic Director. He received his masters in New Testament Studies from Biola and also teaches a New Testament course for the undergraduates.

Backstage with Dr. Lockett, Professor of New Testament Studies

The Torch Podcast Network — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 10:55:46 -0800

Dr. Darian Lockett joins Hayden Avakian on this episode of Biola Backstage. They discuss Dr. Locketts' journey to Biola which was inspired by his involvement with YWAM. Dr. Lockett describes his desire to see people sent into missions whether in nursing, business, or going overseas and how ministering is not something specific to your major, but a calling from God. Furthermore, Dr. Lockett discusses the need for surrendering and sabbathing, as people were created to practice both.

About Dr. Darian Lockett
Dr. Lockett graduated from the University of Kansas with his B.A. in Medieval History, received his M.Div. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Saint Andrews. He is a full-time Talbot professor at Biola University who has sat on several boards, published several articles and has won many awards.

You can find his CV here.

Backstage with Dr. Grace, Biola's Center for Marriage & Relationships Director

The Torch Podcast Network — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 08:48:12 -0800

Dr. Grace joins Hayden Avakian in a special valentine's day edition of Biola Backstage as they dive deep into relationship questions concerning the single and dating stages of life. How do you know you're ready for a relationship? What are some red flags in relationships? Is it true that when you know you know? Curious of the answers? Give this episode on relationships a listen to find out!

About Dr. Chris Grace
Dr. Grace serves full time as the director of Biola University’s Center for Marriage and Relationships and is also a professor of psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology. Dr. Grace has a long list of awards and accomplishments including Biola's "The Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching" and "Professor of the Year". He also co-hosts the podcast The Art of Relationships.

Backstage with Dr. Molloy, Communication Studies Associate Professor

The Torch Podcast Network — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0800

Dr. Arianna Molloy joins Hayden Avakian on this episode of Biola Backstage. They talk about Dr. Molloy's college experience, work as a calling and Dr. Molloy's upcoming book.

About the Guest
Dr. Molloy is an associate professor in Biola's Communication Studies Department. She teaches courses in organizational communication, research methods, nonverbal communication, small group communication and communication and calling. She graduated with a BA in Speech Communication from Seattle Pacific University, an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Portland and holds her PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Denver.

Backstage with Anna Sinclair, Professor of Public Relations

The Torch Podcast Network — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0800

Hayden Avakian interviews Anna Sinclair, who is an associate professor of public relations, a full-time mom, and an organizational leadership PhD student. Sinclair talks about her story of being born with amniotic down syndrome leaving her with a congenital amputation of her right arm. They also discuss how she prioritizes the many aspects of her life, living in the moment, and how the people in your life really matter. At the end, Sinclair expresses the importance of not feeling like you have to fit in. God created you to be who you are—don't conform yourself to the patterns of this world just for acceptance.

Backstage with Jesse Baxter, Lead Actor for Biola Theatre 21

The Torch Podcast Network — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 19:37:18 -0800

Hayden Avakian interviews Jesse Baxter, who plays Mr. Darcy in the upcoming Biola Theatre 21 play Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley. Jesse tells us about the play, some fun moments from rehearsals, and more! Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley opens November 19. They also have showings November 20 and 21, December 2, 3, 4, and 5 with a special dinner showing on December 10.

Get your tickets to Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley here!