About Us

BIOS

Adam Kempenaar is Filmspotting’s co-founder, co-host, and executive producer. He is a Professor at the University of Iowa, teaching courses in Journalism and Mass Communication and Sport and Recreation Management. Previously, Adam was VP of Marketing and Content for the Chicago Blackhawks. A Chicago Film Critics Association member, Adam is also a Marketing Consultant for the Chicago International Film Festival. He has an M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Iowa, a B.A. in Communication Studies from Iowa, and a B.A. in English from Grinnell College.

Josh Larsen officially joined Filmspotting as co-host in January 2012 following guest appearances on episodes #371 and #376. Prior to that, he spent 11 years as a film critic for Chicago-based Sun-Times Media. Josh writes about movies at LarsenOnFilm and is producer of the faith and pop culture website/podcast Think Christian. He’s also the author of Movies Are Prayers: How Films Voice Our Deepest Longings and is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

Sam Van Hallgren co-founded Filmspotting and has served as producer since Fall 2010. He was the original co-host before leaving in August 2007 (ep. #176)… "Golden" Joe DeCeault is also a Filmspotting producer and was instrumental in bringing the show to WBEZ/Chicago Public Radio (91.5 FM) in 2006… Michael Phillips, the Chicago Tribune's film critic, is a regular contributor and guest host.