Shows
Trust RevolutionS01E11 Matt O'Dell ‒ The past, present, and future of freedomtechMatt O'dell, Bitcoin OG and freedom tech advocate, joins Shawn to dissect trust in a world of surveillance and centralized control. From Bitcoin’s role as a beacon of financial agency to Signal's strides in secure communication, O'dell unpacks the tools reshaping money, identity, and expression. As co-founder of Bitcoin Park, OpenSats, and Ten31 Ventures, and host of Rabbit Hole Recap and Citadel Dispatch, he shares a decade of insights on building privacy-first businesses and communities. Recorded June 16, 2025, amid global tensions, this episode explores why open protocols matter, what’s thriving in 2025, and how to navigate a trust-minimized future.2025-06-251h 11
The Latter Day LensEpisode 124: Is America Headed for Civil War? Decoding Political Toxicity, Voucher Waste, and Moral Authority in a Divided Nation.Send us a text In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Linda dive headfirst into the swirling currents of contemporary American challenges. We'll start by grappling with Professor Marci Shore's stark warnings of civil war and her decision to leave the U.S., prompting us to question our moral obligations in a "democratic emergency." Then, we pivot to the realm of political rhetoric, dissecting Senator Mike Lee's controversial social media post and exploring the line between free speech and harmful incitement. Finally, we'll scrutinize Utah's eyebrow-raising school voucher program, examining how taxpayer m...2025-06-251h 05The Latter Day LensEpisode 123: Military Presence, Digital Dating, Celebrity Faith, & Religious FreedomSend us a textJoin Matt, Shawn, and Melanie this week as they dive into some of the biggest ideas shaping our world, from the presence of the US military on home soil to the cutting edge of AI in dating, the public display of celebrity faith, and fundamental questions about religious freedom.Military Visibility: A New Era?Last Saturday, Washington D.C. hosted a military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary. Concurrently, the Trump administration deployed the National Guard2025-06-1843 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 122: What Is America? Media Polarization, Gaza Coverage, and Whether Natural Laws Actually ExistSend us a textWe open this episode with a moment of reflection, discussing the somber news regarding Ukrainian refugees in Utah and the ongoing challenges many face with immigration and refugee status.We then dive into a listener's compelling question: "Is America an aristocracy in disguise?" This sparks a lively debate among Matt, Shawn, and Levi about the role of inherited wealth and political connections in American leadership, and whether the nation truly lives up to its ideals of opportunity for all.Next, we tackle some timely "Thought Provokers" starting...2025-06-111h 01The Latter Day LensEpisode 121: Jail Escapes, Presidential Pardons, and the BYU Honor CodeSend us a textJoin Matt, Shawn, and Marc on the Latter-day Lens podcast for a lively and thought-provoking discussion that spans centuries and tackles complex moral questions.In this episode, we kick off with a fascinating dive into Colonial Heritage Festivals and Revolutionary War reenactment, as Marc shares his experiences representing the 33rd Regiment of Foot. Learn what makes these historical events so unique and how they differ from a Renaissance Faire.Then, the conversation shifts to modern-day ethical dilemmas. We tackle the intriguing "thought provoker": What would you do if a...2025-06-0442 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 120: College, Culture, Calling Out Racism, and the Supreme CourtSend us a textThis week on the Latter-day Lens, hosts Matt and Sean dive into hot-button topics that spark lively debate.First, they tackle recent research suggesting that college can actually make students more conservative depending on their major. Is it the professors, the self-selection of students, or something else entirely? Matt and Sean explore the implications of this finding and debate whether parents should guide their kids toward specific majors to influence their political views. They also discuss the broader purpose of higher education and whether academic research like this is...2025-05-2859 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 119: AI Ethics, Biden's Presidency, and Refugee Politics: Where Morality Meets DemocracySend us a textIn this intellectually stimulating episode, Matt, Shawn, and Melanie explore complex intersections of politics, education, immigration policy, and artificial intelligence ethics. Our discussion examines vocational education's resurgence, controversial refugee policies, presidential decision-making, and the emergence Education Policy Debate High schools across America are forming strategic partnerships with employers to prepare students for lucrative skilled trades, with companies actively recruiting before graduation due to workforce shortages created by retiring baby boomers. These revitalized vocational programs enable graduates to earn $50,000-$75,000 annually without college debt. We consider whether American secondary education h...2025-05-2151 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 118: Self-Reliance, Racial Gap in Small Business Success, Ukraine's Mineral Deal, and Religious Expression in AcademiaSend us a textIn this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Levi engage in a thought-provoking discussion about three distinct topics that challenge conventional thinking within their community. The conversation begins with Levi's bold assertion that "self-reliance is a Satanic doctrine," arguing that interdependence rather than self-sufficiency is the true gospel principle. This leads to a nuanced debate about what self-reliance actually means in both spiritual and economic contexts, with Matt defending the church's official position while acknowledging potential misinterpretations.The trio then examines a Gallup/JP Morgan study on entrepreneurship in America, exploring how access...2025-05-141h 00The Latter Day LensEpisode 117: Faith in a Fractured World: Misinformation, Politics & Divine Guidance TodaySend us a textThis week, hosts Shawn, Matt, and Marc delve into some thought-provoking questions ripped straight from the headlines!Topic 1: The Weaponization of MisinformationIn a recent talk at Harvard, Pete Buttigieg painted a stark picture of misinformation, characterizing it as a weapon more devastating than nuclear arms in its ability to fracture American society. He highlighted Russia's strategy of simultaneously promoting contradictory messages to sow division rather than advocate for specific viewpoints. Buttigieg argued that technological advancements have paradoxically led to a state where we have "never had more information...2025-05-0756 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 116: White Collar Crime, Taxes, Trump's First 100 Days: A Provocative DiscussionSend us a textJoin hosts Matt, Shawn, and Melanie for a deep dive into the week's most pressing and thought-provoking issues! In this episode, they tackle the controversial shifts in white-collar crime enforcement, including foreign bribery, public corruption, money laundering, and the impact of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Matt, Shawn, and Melanie debate the morality of prioritizing crimes with clear victims and whether all offenses deserve equal punishment. Plus, they analyze the latest Gallup poll on American taxpayers' sentiment regarding their federal income tax burden and question if historical tax rates should be revisited...2025-04-3056 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 115: Biden Better on the Border than Trump, Mormon Views on the Pope, App Control, Lottery Wins, & Money DysphoriaSend us a textIn this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt and Shawn delve into various topics including the contrasting deportation rates under Presidents Biden and Trump, the significance of the Pope's death, and the political dynamics involved in church leadership. They also discuss Utah's recent App Store Accountability Act aimed at protecting children online. The conversation highlights the complexities of immigration statistics, the role of the Pope in Christianity, and the balance between government regulation and free market principles. In this conversation, Matt and Shawn delve into the complexities of data privacy, the role...2025-04-2343 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 114: Oligarchy, ProPublica's Prophecy, a Lost Deportee, and the IVF Parenthood QuestionSend us a textIn this episode, Shawn, Matt, & Marc engage in a lively discussion covering various topics. They dive headfirst into the murky waters of corruption, questioning if all forms are equally damaging, sparked by AOC's critique of fellow Democrats and the broader issue of politicians profiting in office. The conversation then shifts to a chilling look at a Trump advisor's pre-election promise to make civil servants "miserable," examining ProPublica's prophetic reporting and its implications. The hosts also grapple with a disturbing case where the US government seemingly lost track of an individual the Supreme Court...2025-04-1651 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 113: Police Training Gaps, CBT for Crime Reduction, Trump's Tariffs, and Four Strains of LDS ThoughtSend us a textWe experienced some technical difficulties this week ...please be patient with the broadcast.Welcome to Latter-day Lens with Shawn, Levi, and Matt! This week, we're tackling some heavy hitters that touch our communities and our faith. From tragic gaps in law enforcement training and the debate around talk therapy's place, to Trump's controversial trade tactics and a provocative look at different 'types' of thinking within Church leadership – buckle up!(00:00) Introduction with Shawn, Levi, & MattThoughts on General Conference(08:00) Topic 1: Unprepared? Police, Autism, an...2025-04-0954 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 112: Politics, College, and General Conference: A Lively DebateSend us a textThis episode of "The Latter-Day Lens" features a spirited discussion between Matt, his daughter Melanie, and friends Shawn and Jacob. The conversation moves through several engaging topics with the perfect blend of humor, disagreement, and thoughtful commentary that showcases the group's chemistry and willingness to challenge each other's viewpoints.The episode kicks off with a debate about the value of college education. While Jacob and Melanie defend their BYU experience as providing a unique community and valuable networking opportunities, Shawn argues that college isn't the only path to success and challenges the...2025-04-021h 05The Latter Day LensEpisode 111: Beyond Divides: College Worth, Church Growth, Happiness, and ImmigrationSend us a textIn this conversation, Shawn, David, and Matt discuss various themes around social division and unity, including the perceived value of college education, the success metrics of their religious community, global happiness trends linked to trust, and the surprising political common ground on immigration among members of their church. Topic 1: College Education ValueA recent Gallup study shows a clear divide in opinions about college education in America. While most adults without degrees think college is too expensive, 70% still believe a bachelor's degree is valuable. The contrast is stronger...2025-03-261h 01The Latter Day LensEpisode 110: Trump's Speech to Congress, Partisan Views of Foreign Countries, Suing Church Members, America's Christian HeritageSend us a textIn this episode of the Latter Day Lens Podcast, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Marc engage in a lively discussion that begins with light-hearted banter about cooking and personal anecdotes. The conversation then shifts to a critical analysis of Trump's recent speech, where Marc expresses his view that it was a notably pro-American address. The discussion evolves into a deeper exploration of how partisan views shape American perspectives on foreign countries, particularly Israel, Ukraine, and Mexico, and how gospel principles can guide these views. They discuss how Jesus views nations, the significance of sharing...2025-03-1953 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 109: Ukraine, DOGE, Lazy federal employees, Cloud hosting of explicit images, The latter day lens on racismSend us a textThis episode opens with a listener challenging hosts Shawn and Sam for previously dismissing Matt's concerns about Trump's Ukraine policy. The listener cites seven recent Trump administration actions that appear to validate Matt's predictions, including calling Zelensky a dictator, excluding Ukraine from peace negotiations, advocating for Russia's G8 readmission, ruling out Ukraine's NATO membership, refusing security guarantees, pausing military support, and exploring reduced sanctions on Russia. The listener specifically references Shawn's promise to call for impeachment if Matt proved correct. The episode then transitions to three "Thought Provoker" segments: Levi addresses DOGE; Matt...2025-03-121h 15The Latter Day LensEpisode 108: Republicans and traditional gender roles, Disappointed Trump voters, Germany's move to the right, The abundance movementSend us a textSummaryIn this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt and Shawn engage in a candid conversation about their recent disagreements, the importance of reconciliation, and listener feedback. They explore LGBTQ+ issues within the church, discuss immigration policies, and delve into the topic of traditional gender roles in relation to gospel teachings. The conversation also touches on the complexities of political trust and personal responsibility, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and understanding. In this conversation, the speakers engage in a deep discussion about trust in politics, the role of media, and...2025-03-0552 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 107: Immigration, COVID-19, Integrity, Post WWII International OrderSend us a textOne listener pointed us to this article which explains the legal status of various undocumented immigrants.SummaryIn this engaging conversation, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Melanie delve into the complexities of immigration policy in the United States, exploring the roles of faith-based organizations, the impact of political decisions, and the moral implications of immigration laws. They discuss the importance of love and compassion in addressing immigration issues while also considering the need for order and clarity in policy implementation. The dialogue highlights differing perspectives on the motivations behind immigration...2025-02-261h 06The Latter Day LensEpisode 106: The Economy, Robocalls, Ranchers Rights, Promoting the FamilySend us a textIn this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Levi engage in a deep discussion about immigration laws, the complexities of undocumented immigration, and the economic implications of these policies. They explore the nuances of fiscal conservatism, the impact of government spending and taxation on the economy, and the historical context of immigration debates in the U.S. The conversation highlights differing perspectives on how to approach immigration and economic policy, emphasizing the need for a fair and effective system. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the intersection of economic...2025-02-191h 03The Latter Day LensEpisode 105: Can Manufacturing be Saved, Andy Reid's Favorite Trilogy, Unequal Justice, Peace in PoliticsSend us a textIn this episode, hosts Matt and Shawn, along with guest David, engage in a deep discussion about racism, implicit bias, and the complexities of social justice. They explore the nuances of microaggressions, the role of education in combating racism, and the implications of implicit bias testing. The conversation also touches on economic shifts in manufacturing jobs and the political landscape surrounding these issues, particularly in relation to Trump's policies and China's labor practices. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various political and social issues, including the impact of troop deployments on U.S...2025-02-121h 13The Latter Day LensEpisode 104: Implicit Racism, Transgender Ban, Deep Seek, Trump's First WeekSend us a textIn this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Marc engage in a lively discussion that begins with personal anecdotes about oil changes and transitions into listener feedback regarding the podcast's branding. The conversation then delves into the complex topics of racism and implicit bias, exploring scientific perspectives and societal implications. The latter part of the episode focuses on transgender policies in the military, examining the intersection of diversity, meritocracy, and military readiness. The conversation explores various themes surrounding military readiness, healthcare rights, and the implications of transgender surgeries within the...2025-02-0558 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 103: Same Sex Marriage in Thailand, Freeze on US Foreign Aid, Transgender Dorms, Germany's AfD (Alternative fuer Deutschland)Send us a textThe Thought Provoker:Melanie is up first this week. I got a Breaking News notification from BBC about how Thailand has legalized same-sex marriage, which brokered the question: why do we care? As global powers, how much is it our responsibility to enforce "good" causes around the globe, and how much should we remain hands off? Where's the line between the sins of the people being answered on the heads of their kings, and teaching men correct principles and allowing them to govern themselves?Next up, Shawn. The US State D...2025-01-2956 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 100: Sam's final episodeSend us a textIn this episode of the RM podcast, hosts Matt, Sam, and Shawn engage in a lively discussion sparked by listener questions. They explore the impact of foreign relations on the growth of the church, the role of workplace safety regulations like OSHA, and the implications of government regulation on AI-generated content. The conversation highlights the complexities of these issues and the varying perspectives of the hosts, providing listeners with a thought-provoking experience. In this conversation, the hosts explore the themes of truth in media, the implications of cybersecurity laws, and the health...2025-01-0839 min
Talk Dirty 2 MeBehind the Scenes: Matt's Creative JourneyHere's a summary of the podcast episode featuring Shawn, Alex, and Matt:---## Podcast Summary### Introduction- Hosts: Shawn and Alex welcome Matt, a multi-talented author, podcaster, and filmmaker.- Festive Spirit: Matt mentions wearing a Santa hat for Christmas Eve.### Matt's Background- Creative Journey: Matt shares his journey from acting in college to becoming a writer and director.- Recent Work: He recently published his debut novel and collaborated on a film project.### Filmmaking Experience- Production...2025-01-0258 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 97: Lina Khan, NBA YoungBoy, SNL, SyriaSend us a textIn this episode of the RM podcast, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Levi engage in a lively discussion about various topics, including the role of government in gambling, parenting, and the implications of monopolies in the market. The conversation begins with a light-hearted welcome back to Levi, followed by a serious examination of gambling regulations and the responsibilities of parents versus the government. The hosts debate the effectiveness of government intervention in protecting children and the implications of monopolies, particularly in the tech industry. They delve into various topics including the unique role of t...2024-12-181h 09The Latter Day LensEpisode 96: The US Senate vs Airline CEOs, The cost of healthcare in the US, Government vs Private Sector Efficiency, Guardrails for gamblingSend us a textSummaryIn this episode of the RM Podcast, hosts Matt and Shawn welcome guest Levi to discuss various topics including political trust, civil disobedience, the healthcare system, and consumer rights. The conversation begins with light-hearted introductions and quickly transitions into a deeper discussion about the mistrust in government, particularly in relation to recent political events. The hosts explore the moral implications of civil disobedience in unjust systems, drawing parallels to historical figures like Gandhi. They also share personal experiences with the healthcare system, highlighting the disparities in access and costs. The...2024-12-111h 05The Latter Day LensEpisode 95: Warning Labels, Biden pardons Biden, Abraham Lincoln and the Book of Mormon vs Gandhi and MLK Jr.Send us a textThe Thought Provoker:Matt: I recently learned that reusing a single use plastic water bottle or microwaving food in a plastic container is exposing me to micro- and nanoplastics. Some of these materials are toxic and can have lasting health effects. I am angry that corporations are allowed to put hazardous materials into products that could harm me or my family without some kind of warning label. Should these manufacturers be forced to put warning labels on their products?Shawn: President Biden has announced that he is going to pardon...2024-12-0441 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 94: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dominica and foreign aid, The Diploma DivideSend us a textKeywordsvoting philosophy, electoral college, popular vote, cultural narratives, faith and obedience, Caribbean travel, Dominica, Hurricane Maria, America First, soft power, education divide, global relations, foreign aid, political science, tourism, international relationsSummaryIn this episode, Matt and Shawn discuss various themes including the significance of voting, the dynamics of the electoral college, and the cultural narratives portrayed in films. They reflect on the philosophical implications of voting, the power of popular votes versus electoral college votes, and the impact of storytelling in cinema, particularly in relation to historical...2024-11-2757 minThe Latter Day LensMatt has fled the country. New episode next weekSend us a text2024-11-1502 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 91: Election Special Trump vs Harris, Why vote?Send us a textThe Thought Provoker:We all make one last appeal for our preferred candidate in the election. This is our last episode before the election. Here is my pitch for Kamala Harris:She is not Donald Trump Trump is going senile Trump will not support Ukraine Trump will escalate violence in the Middle East Trump is a convicted felon who is only trying to avoid future felony convictions Trump will raise taxes Trump will make inflation worse Trump will appoint incompetent people to run the government Trump likes Hitler a little to...2024-10-301h 03The Latter Day LensEpisode 86: The Role of Prophecy in Our LivesSend us a textSummaryIn this episode of the RM Podcast, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Sam engage in a lively discussion covering a range of topics from political dynamics within the Democratic Party to the importance of sports in American culture. They delve into the implications of recent events, including the case of Kirk Gibson and the moral obligations of sports teams like BYU. The conversation also touches on the fragility of democracy, the role of prophecy in the church, and the ongoing debate between the letter of the law and the spirit of the...2024-09-2555 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 85: Trump's friends and advisors, Housing prices, Debate talk, Healthcare solutionsSend us a textMailbag: One listener writes, “hey so interesting discussion about raffles in the church. I suspect the church’s policy has nothing to do with the morality of raffles and more to do with their legal non Profit status." Here is what the church says in the handbook. Here is what the church says about games of chance. President Hinckley had strong language about games of chance. Here is a fun story from The FriendMatt is up first this week. For some reason, Laura Loomer spends more time with Donald Trump than h...2024-09-1854 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 84: Religious pupils do better in school, Origin of religion, Raffle fundraisers, Hole-in-one insurance, Descriptive Representation and Kamala HarrisSend us a textShawn is up first this week. The Ancient Tradition is a podcast hosted by Dr. Jack Logan who is a professor who has researched religious traditions throughout the world. In her study she found reputable scholars that kept pointing out similarities in all these traditions all over the world that indicate there was one original ritual system. She references reputable academic scholars in religion, cosmology, archeology and Several argue that the evidence is so profound that they concluded it is incontrovertible that religions of today were descendants of some common source.Why a...2024-09-1150 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 83: Imagine Dragons, Protecting Voting Rights, Fatherhood, Being Kind on Social MediaSend us a textMailbag: BYU Football AD, Tom Holmoe must be listening to our podcast. He answered that BYU has both a responsibility to uphold the honor code AND to win!The Thought Provoker:Sam is up first this week. Much has been made about my comments last week re Imagine Dragons, including several commenting that Imagine Dragons is one of the worst bands overall. What makes for a great band? How should Imagine Dragons rank? Is there prejudice among Church members because of Dan Reynolds’ political views and former member status?Nex...2024-09-041h 01
Tick Boot CampLyme and Autism - an interview with Shawn MastriaIn this insightful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, host Rich Johannesen and special guest co-host Liza Blas sit down with Shawn Mastria, a former cybersecurity expert turned autism researcher. Shawn shares his personal journey from working in government and Fortune 500 companies to becoming deeply involved in regressive autism research due to his and his daughter’s health challenges. This episode explores the intersections of Lyme disease, mold exposure, and regressive autism, providing valuable insights for those navigating similar health landscapes.
Episode Highlights:
Introduction to Shawn Mastria: Shawn introduces himself and discusses his extensive background in...2024-08-311h 50The Latter Day LensEpisode 82: Twitter misinformation, BYU football predictions, RFK Jr and Censorship, Would President Benson be a Democrat today?Send us a textMailbag: One listener writes, “ I have heard a professor talking about his 13 points he uses to accurately predict presidential elections, is this dime Store political science, the real thing or something in between?”The Thought Provoker:Matt is up first this week. Many people are complaining that Twitter has become more divisive and less fact-based than before Musk purchased it. In addition, many unsavory characters are using Twitter to spread false information. From fake celebrity endorsements, to bots developed by Israeli and Russian intelligence services designed to amplify false information and mani...2024-08-281h 04The Latter Day LensEpisode 81: The afterlife, bribes, tariffs, Romney 4 Prez, NASA & Boeing, Ranked choice votingSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Sam is up first this week. Trump recently stated that tariffs are a tax on a foreign country. What do you think about tariffs? Next up, Shawn. Before Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris, Aaron Sorkin wrote an op-ed in the New York Times saying Democrats should nominate Mitt Romney: "Nominating Mr. Romney would be putting our money where our mouth is: a clear and powerful demonstration that this election isn’t about what our elections are usually about it, but about stopping a deranged man from taki...2024-08-2154 minThe Latter Day LensBonus: Alvin F. Meredith III President of BYU-Idaho InterviewSend us a Text Message.We are a bit delayed recording our weekly episode. Please enjoy this interview of Elder Meredith that Matt recorded with his sister Melissa for the This Week in Mormons podcast.2024-08-1442 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 80: Learning from the other side, The Pelosi Act, Venezuela, The White Horse ProphecySend us a textHere’s the rundown for tonight. A listener from Texas texted” I usually dread election cycles but I’m really looking forward to it this time around with Sean, Sam, and Matt. I love your open minded example of listening to different ideas and perspectives. As a mom to 5 young adults all over the political spectrum, I feel like you are modeling a good pattern for how to navigate diverse ideas and respect.”Along those lines, another asked, “Given that Donald Trump is a demented narcissist and Kamala is not a white man...2024-08-0749 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 79: Are healthcare costs killing the American Dream? Was Vance the wrong VP pick? Should Gen Z lose themselves in public service? Biden's proposals to save the Supreme CourtSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Matt is up first this week. Some first-generation Gen Z Americans are giving up on the American Dream. Rather than a land of promise, they said, they see skyrocketing costs of living and health care, as well as loads of student debt and a chaotic political system. And just one generation in, some first-generation Americans said they’re moving out of the U.S. or seriously considering it. Are healthcare and housing costs in the US killing the American Dream? Next up, Sam. Vice Presidential candidate JD V...2024-07-3156 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 78: The Party Decides, Rating the presidential candidates, The Republican National Convention, The church builds affordable housing in HawaiiSend us a textMailbag: There is a new way to reach out to the show. Have you heard of fan mail? Each episode at the top of the show notes there is a link to send us a text message. Reach out and let us know what you think.The Thought Provoker:Sam is up first this week. The party decides. Next up, Shawn. Watching all of our political leaders over the past few weeks has caused me to reflect on what are the right reasons for choosing a leader. We’v...2024-07-2458 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 77: Trump Shooting, Republicans are socialists too, seeking riches, Bloomberg's $1 billion donation to medical schoolsSend us a textTrump Assignation Attempt. Members of the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints should not condone violenceThe Thought Provoker:Matt is up first this week. Sam likes to tell me that I should support Donald Trump for president despite all of his shortcomings because he is the only person that can save our economy. Well, the Wall Street Journal has an article out this week that suggests that the Republicans are no longer united on what should be done to save the economy. As the Republicans were working...2024-07-171h 15The Latter Day LensEpisode 76: Can you be LGBTQ and active LDS? God's hand in the presidential race, BofM witnesses, Border security and gun controlSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Matt is up first this week. One of the founders of WordPerfect, Bruce Bastian, died this week. The New York Times obituary described many facets of his life that are worthy of discussion. His company played a large role in making Utah what it is today. When he started WordPerfect, no tech company was headquartered in Utah, they showed the world the potential of the Utah workforce. Bastian was also a gay member of the church. For Mr. Bastian, coming out was both terrifying and hopeful. “I don’t th...2024-07-1057 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 75: Mormon Saints, Does God Bless the USA? Paris Hilton, Are pets human?Send us a textThe Thought Provoker:Shawn is up first this week. Annuit coeptus is a motto written on the great seal of the United States. It means God, or Providence prospered our undertaking. The idea is that God put leaders in place to establish a new order and form a specific constitution and create a country of certain laws and not men. Does God still prosper our undertaking? If not, when did it end? What is the difference between then and now?Next up, Sam. 15. He’s described as a “teenage computer whiz”...2024-07-031h 00The Latter Day LensEpisode 74: Life coaching, Corporate hijacking, Surgeon General social media warning labelSend us a textMailbag: One listener writes, “I question your definition of liberal and conservative although I loved the discussion. You said conservatives mistrust government and liberals mistrust individuals. I would say that conservatives mistrust government and liberals mistrust businesses. What is it called if you think business and government are equally capable of oppression? Economic power is still power and deserves to be checked.”The Thought Provoker:Matt is up first this week. Utah is proposing new legislation to regulate life coaches. Shawn likes the free market, but this industry is a swee...2024-06-261h 01The Latter Day LensEpisode 73: Is it morally wrong to be rich? Is Matt a liberal, is Sam conservative? Trump's Tariff Proposal, Movie Pass, Movie CrashSend us a textMailbag: One listener writes, “You'll probably get several of these, but here are a few facts to clear up about two of the country's newest felons.1.The lies Hunter Biden told on his two gun license applications were that he does not use drugs. He was also convicted of possessing a gun while addicted to or using illegal drugs. 2. Where Trump is concerned, in New York, falsifying business records is only a felony if they were falsified in order to commit another crime or to cover up another crime. Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, pai...2024-06-191h 00The Latter Day LensEpisode 72: Social Media and Free Will, YouTube Religion Conference, Hunter Biden v. Donald Trump, Equality of Economic OutcomesSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Matt is up first this week. There is nothing members of our church value more than free will. Yet, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey warned this week that social media algorithms are robbing individuals of their free will. Specifically he said, “This is going to sound a little bit crazy, but I think the free speech debate is a complete distraction right now. I think the real debate should be about free will” “We are being programmed. We are being programmed based on what we say we’re interested in, and...2024-06-1259 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 71: RESPECT for elementary education, capitalism v meta-Marxism, Right wing reaction to Trump conviction, MLB reconciles racial injusticeSend us a textMailbag: Carly’s recordingThe Thought Provoker:Shawn is up first this week. An anonymous expert recently participated in a debate discussing Meta-Marxism and capitalism. They discussed how the theory of meta Marxism primarily looks at all relationships through the lens of power and power imbalance while capitalism looks at relationships through the lens of self-interested and trade. Is one theory moral and the other immoral or are they both just ways to govern and either is fine? Next up, Matt. Right wing media figures are attacking the U...2024-06-0556 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 70: Trump v Biden in the polls, NCAA paying student athletes, #rawmilk, Will 2024 see the rise of global authoritarianism?Send us a textMailbag: One listener writes, “Like a lot of Republicans, Sam is pretty tone deaf when he talks about risk. On average, rich people have taken much less risk in their lives than the rest of us. Trump is a great example. Trump was a millionaire by age 8. Through all of Trump’s adventures and misadventures he was never in danger even of living the life of an average dentist or investment banker. And certainly not a school teacher or truck driver. Link.When upper-middle class people tell poor...2024-05-2949 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 69: Changes in church policy, Assuming the best about the political opposition, Biden legalizes marijuana, Military humanitarian assistance in GazaSend us a textMailbag: One listener writes, “Ok. You cannot allow Sam to continue to reference “that one company in Seattle whose CEO decided to pay everyone $70,000 and his company imploded.” The company is called Gravity Payments. The late Rush Limbaugh predicted its downfall in 2014. It’s 20 years old now, still going strong and paying an $80,000 minimum salary. This might be a good opportunity to examine where these fake stories come from and what makes us so susceptible to believing them without fact checking.”Another listener writes, “Thanks to Shawn for bringing up the open borders...2024-05-2251 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 68: The Greatest Hits!Send us a textNew listeners, this episode replays some of the discussions that get brought up later on. Also, NBA YoungBoy was arrested in Cache Valley Utah recently and is back in jail. Shawn doesn't like to talk about it, listen to this episode to find out why.2024-05-151h 24The Latter Day LensEpisode 67: OpenAI copyright infringement, LDS culture intruding on doctrine, Employee engagement, Ranking prophetsSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Shawn is up first this week. Eight regional daily newspapers sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement yesterday, the latest in an industrywide reckoning with the rise of content-dependent artificial intelligence. News publishers like The New York Times have sued OpenAI for using their journalism to train its models, arguing repackaging original journalism is not a fair use. Other media companies are opting to sign deals with AI companies to pay to license their content, including The Associated Press and Reuters. Reports indicate OpenAI is paying individual publishers $1...2024-05-0851 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 66: The Booming US Economy, Chad Daybell vs Donald Trump, Libertarians and the Law, Stricter laws against lying and stealing?Send us a textApologies to Shawn's fans. He had technical issues that caused him to drop from the podcast. Sorry you all missed his great comments on the big question.The Thought Provoker:Sam is up first this week. Why don't people recognize the booming economy right now? Next up, Matt. Two exciting trials are going on right now. One trial features Chad Daybell trying to avoid the death penalty for things he and Lori Vallow are alleged to have done. In the other, The first criminal prosecution of a fo...2024-05-0126 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 65: Free speech at USC and Google, Michael Jordan wins at NASCAR, churchofjesuschrist.org, Owning and employing as a pathway to wealth and wellbeingSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Matt is up first this week. Two big stories this week related to free speech. In the first, the University of Southern California canceled a graduation speech by a valedictorian who is Muslim and has social media posts that support Palestinians. They say that it is a question of safety. In the second, Google has terminated 28 employees after a series of protests against labor conditions and the company’s contract to provide the Israeli government and military with cloud computing and artificial intelligence services. Both of these are pr...2024-04-2450 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 63: Hurry and listen before the Second Coming, Real Mormonism, Trans Awareness Day on EasterSend us a textGeneral Conference RecapMatt's Second Coming PredictionWhat is Mormonism?2024-04-0834 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 62: General Conference predictions, Elon Musk and freedom of speech, change to policy about undergarments? Oregon recriminalizes drugs, Racism in IdahoSend us a textMailbag: General Conference PredictionsThe Thought Provoker:Matt is up first this week. You guys are always telling me how Elon Musk is a proponent of free speech. Well, two things came up this week that suggest he is not. First, A federal judge on Monday threw out a lawsuit by Elon Musk’s X that had targeted a watchdog group for its critical reports about hate speech on the social media platform. Second, The number of people using X daily is falling. A platform that was once the bes...2024-04-031h 04The Latter Day LensEpisode 61: BYU Sunday Play, Religious Authority of Women in the Church, ISIS-K attack in Moscow, Should voters listen to people who work with candidates?Send us a textMailbag: One listener writes, “Another UBI experiment. This time in San Antonio. https://sanantonioreport.org/cash-without-conditions-san-antonio-experiment-guaranteed-income/ What do you think people did with extra money? You'll have to read to find out.” The Thought Provoker:Sam is up first this week. Did BYU’s ‘No Sunday Play’ policy cause the NCAA selection committee to schedule them away from Salt Lake City, Utah? Would they have been seeded higher, and chosen to play Mcneese in Salt Lake during the first round? Ultimately, Gonzaga played Mcneese, soundly defeating them and then beating Kanas. BYU could have...2024-03-2758 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 60: History vs Religion, Tax subsidies for professional sports, Tesla/Mr. Beast/Government Programs, Taxation without representation?Send us a textThe Thought ProvokerFirst up, Shawn. This week Political Scientist Matthew, “Matty Bird” Miles interviewed LDS history Scholar Patrick Mason on the twim podcast. Matt asked a great question of Mason about how history informs his interpretation of religious doctrine? He answered it helps him be comfortable with change and to be comfortable with the human element in scripture. How does history inform your interpretation of religious doctrine or should the pursuit of historical facts be completely separate from revealed doctrine? Next up, Matt. Utah lawmakers passed a pair of high-profile bills this...2024-03-2046 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 59: LDS Leaders Anti-Trump? Recall elections, Crisis in Public Education, CBD and FederalismSend us a textOne listener writes, “I know how much everyone loves UBI, but with so many trials and studies to learn about it happening and wrapping up, I feel like it would be good to talk about their findings. I'm also discouraged by rich people who are lobbying to prevent even the research and studies.The Thought Provoker: This week, a letter was read to Republican-majority LDS Congregations across Utah. Notably, Matt now lives in Idaho. https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/02/28/lds-leaders-stress-candidates/ Is this admonition “anti-Trump?” Is this in line with political non-affiliation statements of years...2024-03-0658 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 58: Looking beyond the mark, Was Putin afraid of Navalny? Diversity of music at church, Celebrating Black History MonthSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Shawn is up first this week. Elon Musk has sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, claiming that the company failed to keep its promise of developing AI tools for "the benefit of humanity" over maximizing profits.Musk helped launch and fund OpenAI in its early years. His lawyers argue that Musk poured time, money and recruiting resources to the AI lab, on the condition that it would remain a nonprofit "dedicated to creating safe, open-source AGI for public benefit," We believe that there are some doctrines that fall...2024-03-0652 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 57: Abortion and Men, Texting Culture, Can spiritual rebirth cure mental illness? Should the poor pay fewer taxes?Send us a textThe Thought Provoker:Matt is first this week. Exciting new research in the field of male contraceptives has identified a number of medications that a man can take that will make it impossible for him to impregnate a woman. The work is very preliminary at the moment, but the findings suggest that taking the medication has no long term side effects on the man or his ability to produce viable offspring in the future. I always looking for new ways to discourage unwanted pregnancies. I also don't like that abortion policy...2024-02-2956 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 56: Expensive Drugs, Power to the Patients, Trump Civil Penalty, the National Association of RealtorsSend us a textThe Thought ProvokerSam is up first this week. And I make the argument that the high prices we pay here in the US for pharmaceuticals subsidize the entire world, but they guarantee the best end result anywhere else in the world. We have medicines and therapies that are available globally because of the higher prices we pay here in the US. Next up Shawn, Power to the Patients is a nonprofit organization that advocates for healthcare price transparency. Their mission is to make healthcare more affordable and eq...2024-02-211h 05The Latter Day LensEpisode 55: Tucker Carlson v Putin, He Gets Us, Tipping Etiquette, Why are American's so dissatisfied?Send us a textThe Thought Provoker:Shawn is up first this week. This week Tucker Carlson interviewed Vlad Putin and I got very mad because he didn’t challenge a single thing Putin said. Didn’t challenge his claim that Poland started ww2, didn’t challenge Putin’s claim that he has no interest in invading other countries unless they attack Russia even though he just invaded Ukraine. Didn’t challenge the lie that the west promised to not expand NATO. Didn’t challenge the revisionist history about Ukraine never existing… But in his post interview...2024-02-1456 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 54: Swift/Superbowl/Vegas, Air Force One, Biden vs Trump, Conspiracy Theories and Truth in AdvertisingSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:One listener writes, “ I heard Shawn say that we shouldn't pay attention to the fact that people in blue states live longer. You talked about life expectancy, but you could make the same case that people in blue States are, on average, richer, safer, healthier, better educated and more likely to live in a happy, stable family than people in red states. But Shawn says none of this matters because it's all about individual decisions. But then we're left to ask why are people in Vermont so much bett...2024-02-071h 04The Latter Day LensEpisode 53: Ban smartphones in schools? DINKs, Bi-partisan border bill, Is it time for stricter marijuana regulation?Send us a textMailbag:I thought your discussion about longevity and quality of life was interesting. Healthy living is something I think is very important, but I don't know that a health care solution is the key. this map can help identify possible patterns for what might be contributing to longevity. The Thought Provoker:This week Sam is up first. Should Utah schools ban smart phones, or teach a class on smart phone management? Governor Cox says he supports banning smartphones in Utah schoolsNext up, Shawn. Fewer people are getting married...2024-01-3158 minThe Latter Day LensEpisode 52: Is it unrighteous to support Donald Trump? Backlash against new Church Communications Director, LDS Social Media Influencers, Decline in quality of life in the United StatesSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Matt is up first. Sam has been saying for a long time that Trump would be the Republican nominee. I have been saying that we should wait and see what the voters do, and not just trust polls. Well, now the voters in Iowa have spoken and it is nearly certain that Trump will be the Republican nominee. I have no reason to believe that Nikki Hailey can win the nomination, especially since Ron DeSantis has not dropped out. Whether people like it or not, the choice is...2024-01-241h 01The Latter Day LensEpisode 51: Archeology and the Book of Mormon, Changing families, changing social policies? Why does Matt hate Big Pharma?Send us a textMailbag:One listener writes “Military conscription has been shown to build a shared national identity, boost loyalty to the polity, and instill patriotism… But here’s the tradeoff: Men from conscripted generations show less trust in democratic institutions than those exempted from the draft…[and] weakens the relationship between the citizen and the state. Hard to say really - I think with the poor state of patriotism and shared national identity we experience in the US today it could be beneficial.” Another listener says “I think Shawn's feelings of mistrust for...2024-01-171h 01The Latter Day LensEpisode 50: Gypsy Rose, Disney-world, The immigration crisis, Pharmaceuticals, Mandatory Military Service in the USASend us a text One listener writes, Hey I wonder if you guys have heard of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard. She was recently released from prison for her role in the killing of her mother. Now she has over 7 million followers on Instagram and she is likely going to be a millionaire because of the fame she is getting from her story. What is the morally appropriate reaction someone should have to a person like Gypsy-Rose?The Thought Provoker:Sam is up first. Disney worldNext up, Matt. There is a crisis at th...2024-01-101h 01The Latter Day LensDecember 20, 2023; The Fall of Giuliani & the Fall of the GOP, Abortion in Texas, The Invisible Hand, Bureaucrats vs BillionairesSend us a textThe Thought ProvokerMatt is up first. Recently, Rudy Giuliani was ordered to pay over $148 million to two Georgia election workers for defamation. This all stems from lies he told about the 2020 election being stolen in Georgia. As a lifelong Republican, I see Rudy Giuliani as a metaphor for what has happened to the GOP. In 2001, Giuliani was America’s Mayor—beloved for his response to the 9/11 attacks in NYC and Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. In 2008, he was the frontrunner for the GOP nomination for President. He was seen a...2023-12-2054 minThe Latter Day LensDecember 13, 2023; Is the World Safer than Ever? Does the FBI deserve our respect? Anti-Semitism on College Campuses, Policy vs Doctrine part IISend us a textThe Thought ProvokerSam. All right, so here's my question. So I have friends that listen to our show and friends that are in the Chicagoland and in the Michigan area, Detroit, and other areas in the upper Midwest, and we've often talked about crime rates in those areas and some of the challenges that face people politically, economically in those areas. And I was joking recently with someone about going out for a run super late at night in the Chicagoland and talking jokingly about hey, is it really safe...2023-12-131h 03The Latter Day LensNovember 22, 2023; Surprising trends in youth church activity, Biden's handling of the Israel conflict, Does the Holy Ghost tell us what to do?, Romney's impeachment voteSend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Sam is first. Quote from Quentin L Cook’s devotional last night:“Youth and young adults are not less active or leaving the Church in higher numbers than in the past, as has been widely circulated.…The percentage of church participation for the rising generation shows a continuous upward trend.” - Quentin L. CookHow has the Church reversed a declining trend among youth across all religions in the United States?https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2018/06/13/young-adults-around-the-world-are-less-religious-by-several-measures/https://twitter.com/ryanburg...2023-11-221h 00The Latter Day LensNovember 15, 2023; Censure of Rep. Tlaib, Performative politics, Implanting neuralink to create cyborgs, Ballard and RomneySend us a textThe Thought Provoker:Matt is first this week: This week The US House voted to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib over her Israel-Hamas rhetoric in a stunning rebuke for using this phrase. A censure is the strongest action the House can take against one of its members other than removing them from office. In the 1860s members were censured for Making statements in support of the Confederate rebellion. In the 1980s members were censured for engaging in sexual conduct with pages. Rep. Tlaib is the only Palestinian-American in Congress. The censure was...2023-11-1559 minThe Latter Day LensNovember 8 2023; Inheritance Tax? Government waste, Gen Z anxiety, Is Nvidia President Jensen Huang right about entrepreneurship? Peace vs Violence as a solution to conflict.Send us a textMailbag: “Sam, If adversity is so great for immigrants, why not save some for the rich people? Why rob wealthy people of the chance to work their way up from the bottom? 100% inheritance tax. Who’s with me?” The Thought Provoker:Sam is first up this week, Are kids medically treated too quickly with medications for aniexty vs teaching them coping/problem solving skills earlier on in their life on what anxiety is, why we have it and how to cope with it? Are parents spending enough time or do pare...2023-11-081h 02