What does it take to build entertainment kids actually love that parents can actually trust? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins talks with John Forystek, media veteran and creator of the faith-driven animated franchise Band of Friends, and DJ Gravitt — a Classical Conversations graduate and the show’s producer and songwriter.
John, whose background spans record labels, publishing, and global media, describes the moment he stopped watching cartoons as an executive and started watching them as a father of four — and the five-point values framework his team built (moral and ethical, relational and social, emotional and personal growth, spiritual and character, and generosity and service) after consulting Christian counselors, rather than just aiming for “safe.” DJ shares how Classical Conversations’ emphasis on critical thinking, music theory, and self-directed learning prepared him to help build out the show’s world — and how CC’s story sequence chart shows up directly in how Band of Friends episodes are written.
Whether you’re a parent tired of handing your kids a tablet full of over-sexualized content, or a homeschool student wondering what a career in storytelling could look like, this conversation is a reminder that good stories still shape culture — and that Classical Conversations grads are already out there making them.
Follow along and join the Band of Friends community: https://bandoffriends.tv/
This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse — Operation Christmas Child.
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Your homeschool community can be part of this global mission by packing gift-filled shoeboxes full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items that are sent to children in over 100 countries. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.
Make Operation Christmas Child part of your school year leading up to National Collection Week, November 16–23.
Learn more about how you can join this ministry at https://samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/