Glass Box Podcast
Join Bryce Blankenagel and Shannon Grover as we walk through deep Mormon doctrine and history, headlines in and out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism), and explore the lighter side of current events. We hope to provide good feels and a burning in your bosom that'll leave you wanting to download the next episode.
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Ep 189 — Endowment Evolution | Heretic
11/12/2025
Ep 189 — Endowment Evolution | Heretic
Spring of 1842 was a world-shaping event, the introduction of the endowment ceremony by Joseph Smith to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We’ve talked about it and a few of the more recent changes to the endowment a few times, but this is the overview. What it was when it was introduced, how it changed under Brigham Young, and many of the changes that have happened since his death, all under one (long) segment. Then we talk about Heretic, a movie about two missionaries in a cat-and-mouse game with a well-educated anti-Mormon playing by his own rules. Then we wrap with happy news from ABC and Jimmy Kimmel responding to the government shutdown and SNAP running dry. Show Notes: MOGP: Heretic: Happy News: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. Our most recent discussion was on the Mountain Meadows Massacre: He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 188 — The Picture of Dorian Gray | History of the Devil’s Music
10/29/2025
Ep 188 — The Picture of Dorian Gray | History of the Devil’s Music
At long last Shannon gets to talk about the book she’s been planning on since the last Halloween episode — The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. We first discuss the Aesthetic Movement of the 19th century and a tiny bit of the life of Oscar Wilde before we jump into the book itself. Then Bryce gifts you with an abbreviated history of metal music. Get a notepad ready to take notes because he gives you a LOT of information! Happy Halloween! Show Notes: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: Oscar Wilde Official Website: Oscar Wilde: Aestheticism: Decadent Movement: The Aesthetic Movement by Fiona McCarthy: Aesthetic Movement in England by Walter Hamilton: Oscar WIlde’s Cello Coat: The Picture of Dorian Gray: Metal music: VH1 Documentary This is Spinal Tap amps go to 11 Songs list: Little Richard, Tutti Frutti - Here's Little Richard 1957 James Brown, Shout and Shimmy - Good, Good Twistin' With James Brown 1962 Chuck Berry, School Day - After School Session 1957 The Beatles, Love Me Do - Please Please Me 1963 Black Sabbath, Wasp/Behind the Wall of Sleep/Bassically/N.I.B. - Black Sabbath 1970 Led Zeppelin, Good TImes Bad TImes - Led Zeppelin I 1969 Led Zeppelin, Dazed and Confused - Led Zeppelin I 1969 Tenacious D, Karate - Tenacious D 2001 Worm Shepherd, The Anguished Throne - Hunger 2024 Humble Pie, As Safe As Yesterday Is - As Safe As Yesterday Is 1969 Deep Purple, Smoke on the Water - Machine Head 1972 Back Sabbath, Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath 1970 Black Sabbath, War Pigs - Paranoid 1970 Steppenwolf, Born to be Wild - self titled 1968 Alice Cooper, Poison - Trash 1989 KISS, Sure Know Something - Dynasty 1979 AC/DC, TNT - High Voltage 1976 Judas Priest, Realms of Death - Stained Class 1978 Motorhead, Ace of Spades - Ace of Spades 1980 13th Floor Elevators, You're Gonna Miss Me - 7th Heaven Music of the Spheres 1966 Chelsea Grin, Cursed - My Damnation 2011 The Damned, New Rose - Damned Damned Damned 1977 Judas Priest, Breaking the Law - British Steel 1980 Candlemass, Solitude - Epicus Doomicus Metallicus 1986 Venom, Black Metal - In League With Satan 1981 Van Halen, You Really Got Me - Van Halen 1978 Black Sabbath, Neon Knights - Heaven and Hell 1980 Black Sabbath, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 1973 Def Leppard, Photograph - Pyromania 1983 Quiet Riot, Cum on Feel the Noize - Metal Health 1983 Mercyful Fate, Evil - Melissa 1983 Frank Zappa, We're Turning Again - Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention 1985 Cannibal Corpse, Hammer Smashed Face - Tomb of the Mutilated 1992 Kreator, People of the Lie - Coma of Souls 1990 Napalm Death, Suffer the Children - Harmony Corruption 1990 Helloween, I Want Out - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2 1988 TOOL, Sober - Undertow 1993 Linkin Park, One Step Closer - Hybrid Theory 2000 Pantera, Walk - Vulgar Display of Power 1992 Finntroll, Jaktens Tid - Jaktens Tid 2001 Slaughter to Prevail, Demolisher - Kostolom 2019 Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 187.4 — Sun Afternoon Oct 2025 General Conference
10/16/2025
Ep 187.4 — Sun Afternoon Oct 2025 General Conference
It’s that time of year! 195th Semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We see what slipped through the cracks! David Bednar Q12 – Moral Agency means doing what you were coerced to agree to do B. Corey Cuvleier Q70 – The correct name Matthew S. Holland Q70 – Jonah, Adam and Eve, and Biblical literalism Carlos A Godoy Q70 – He’s helping impoverished Africans who pay their tithing Dale G Renlund Q12 – Surgeon-scholarship-recipient really like Rusty Nailz John D Amos Q70 – Put more Tonys in it Ozani Farias Q70 – Read your sticks Dallin Oaks rounding it out – A prophet-elect ascends; no more new temples; make more big Mormon families Saturday Evening for Patrons! Patrick Kearon Q12 – Stop sinning already and embrace your hundredth start J Anette Dennis FC RS GP – Depression and atheism Steven C Barlow Q70 – His brother mowed some lawns William K Jackson Q70 – Counting and Accounting; white supremacists making lists Neil L. Anderson – idk, something about atonement Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 187.3 — Sun Morning Oct 2025 General Conference
10/15/2025
Ep 187.3 — Sun Morning Oct 2025 General Conference
It’s that time of year! 195th Semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We see what slipped through the cracks! Jeffrey R. Holland – Book of Mormon is miraculous and stop being so mean to me about it James E Evanson Q70 – Go on your mission, even if you have to settle for a service mission Ulisses Soares Q12 – Temperance and quoting MLK Jr. Peter M. Johnson Q70 – Priesthood ban blindsided him D. Todd Christofferson – FSY and Family Proc; masturbation is evil Andrea M. Spannaus SC YM GP – We’re a doomsday cult; the end is coming Henry B Cryring – Proving steel in pre-Columbian Americas Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 187.2 — Sat Afternoon Oct 2025 General Conference
10/15/2025
Ep 187.2 — Sat Afternoon Oct 2025 General Conference
It’s that time of year! 195th Semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We see what slipped through the cracks! Ronald Rasband Q12 – Family: A Proclamation to the World is ‘doctrine’ Chad Webb FC SS GP – Gospel not a ‘list of demands’ Jeremy Jaggi Q70 – Chaplain’s altar is Mormon symbol Kevin Brown Q70 – Moral agency; we are agents Gerrit Gong Q12 – Fortune cookies are American? Michael Cziesla Q70 – Funeral potatos and green jello are weird Quentin Cook Q12 – Tale of Two Cities; we live in turbulent times Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 187.1 — Sat Morning Oct 2025 General Conference
10/15/2025
Ep 187.1 — Sat Morning Oct 2025 General Conference
It’s that time of year! 195th Semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We see what slipped through the cracks! Saturday Morning talks: Gary A. Stevenson Q12 – Be peacemakers no matter what Tracy Y. Browning SC PGP – Primary songs are the key to cult mind-control Ronald Barcellos Q70 – Morals of David v. Eliab Brik V. Eyre Q70 – Comfort then Convert Kelly R. Johnson Q70 – Forensic accounting Dieter Uchtdorf Q12 – Up a down escalator Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 186 — REM Model of Human Behavior w/ Chris Shelton | The Christ Who Heals pt. finale
10/01/2025
Ep 186 — REM Model of Human Behavior w/ Chris Shelton | The Christ Who Heals pt. finale
We invite back Chris Shelton MSc from his YouTube channel by the same name to talk all about cults. He’s here to share his model of human behavior, the REM (Reason/Rationalization, Emotion, Morality) and we get lost deep into the weeds discussing it and related cult topics. After that, we wrap up the Givens with the final installment of The Christ Who Heals. We go through the entire part 2 of the book and tell what book/author we’re reviewing next year. After that we talk about windows being turned into solar panels! Links: Happy News: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Most recent episode: The secret history of the Mormon church: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 185 — 3 New Gospel Topics Essays | Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
09/17/2025
Ep 185 — 3 New Gospel Topics Essays | Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released 3 new Gospel Topics Essays in July. We go through each of them, discuss the information that’s missing, chat about the propaganda woven into every line, and speculate as to the impetus behind the new essays. For ease of listening, the Book of Mormon Translation starts at 13:31, the Plural Marriage starts at 1:01:24, and Joseph Smith’s Character starts at 1:53:15. After that we chat Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, a post-apocalyptic wasteland movie about two warring cult leaders. Then we wrap with happy news about metalheads fighting bullying in schools! Show Notes: MOGP: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: Where it’s streaming: Happy News: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Most recent episode: The secret history of the Mormon church: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 184 — Are Mormons Christian | The Christ Who Heals pt. 1
09/03/2025
Ep 184 — Are Mormons Christian | The Christ Who Heals pt. 1
Are Mormons Christian? According to most Christians, no. According to them, Jesus Christ is literally in the name of the church! We dig into the bedrock on this issue to see what does or does not qualify as “Christian”. After that, we dive into the final of the Givens trilogy, The Christ Who Heals. It’s more or less a 130-page missionary discussion with a few dribbles of ancient theologian writings. After that we talk about a statue being built to Robert Smalls in South Carolina. Show Notes: Jesus in Islam: Jewish views on Jesus: Buddhism and Christianity: Bodhisattva: The real reason mormons aren’t in the Christian Club: Nicene Creed: Happy News: Robert Smalls: Statue in SC Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Most recent episode: The secret history of the Mormon church: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 183 — Hatch & Jones, Victims of Mormon Violence w/ Belle Holsinger | The Godfather
08/20/2025
Ep 183 — Hatch & Jones, Victims of Mormon Violence w/ Belle Holsinger | The Godfather
You asked for it and you got it! We interviewed Belle Holsinger who we talked about last episode in our Sunstone recap. She gave us the absolutely riveting information from her presentation at Sunstone titled “Bearing witness: The castration and murder of Henry Jones and his mother, Hannah Jones Gailey Hatch.” Following our time with Belle, we watched The Godfather because what OTHER movie is as fitting? We then closed with some incredible new breakthroughs in cancer research. Enjoy! Show Notes: Belle’s Contact information: MOGP: The Godfather IMDB: Where it’s streaming: Happy News: Trojan horse bacteria sneak cancer-killing viruses into tumors: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 182 — Sunstone 2025 Wrap-up
08/06/2025
Ep 182 — Sunstone 2025 Wrap-up
We went to Sunstone Symposium in SLC, like we try to do every year! It was fantastic and a great place to meet good folks, visit old friends, and learn new things along the way. We discuss some of our favorite sessions and experiences from this year’s Mormon conference. Check out Sunstone and consider attending next year! Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 181 — Word Vomit and Verbosity | The Crucible of Doubt pt. 3
07/23/2025
Ep 181 — Word Vomit and Verbosity | The Crucible of Doubt pt. 3
Your two favorite long winded podcasters are talking about word vomit and verbosity today, which is particularly fitting since today’s Sword of Laman segment covers the last part of the 2nd Givens book, The Crucible of Doubt. We then cleanse your palette with some good news out of Illinois. Enjoy! Sword of Laman: Happy News: Illinois keeps 988 lifeline for LGBTQIA+ youth even after national extension hangs up: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 180 — John Taylor 1886 Permanent Polygamy Revelation | National Treasure
07/09/2025
Ep 180 — John Taylor 1886 Permanent Polygamy Revelation | National Treasure
The Church History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just dropped a revelatory bomb on the Mormon history community and we’re gunna talk about it. John Taylor (prophet 1880-1887) wrote a revelation saying that the new and everlasting covenant is actually “everlasting” and cannot be revoked or abrogated. However, the prophet after Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, wrote the First Manifesto bringing the church into compliance with the law of the land. However, plural marriages continued to be performed. The Reed Smoot hearings turned the eyes of the nation to the kingdom of god in Deseret and every clandestine plural marriage put a lie to the Manifesto. Church leaders are excommunicated and it leads to the formation of the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints. The church has suppressed this revelation in its vaults for nearly a century while openly denying that it even existed. After that we chat about more secrets hiding in plain sight with the movie National Treasure. We wrap with happy news about diabetes therapy and a gaggle of listener mail. Show Notes: MOGP: National Treasure: Where it’s streaming: Information about Charles Carroll: Explore the Knights Templar: Happy News: A new diabetes treatment could free people from insulin injections: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on And here is our discussion about Mormon succession Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 179 — Great Leaders | Crucible of Doubt pt. 2
06/25/2025
Ep 179 — Great Leaders | Crucible of Doubt pt. 2
Let’s talk leaders. What qualities does a great leader have? What’s the difference between a good and great leader? And we talk about three leaders in history. In our Sword of Laman segment, we cover the next few chapters of the Givens’ book. And to clear your palette, we share a news article about a charitable move Bill Gates is making. Enjoy! Show Notes: What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?: What Great Leaders do that Good Leaders Don’t: Elizabeth I: Queen Elizabeth I: The controversies and accomplishments: Elizabeth I, Religious Questions and the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots: Bloody Mary: The Marriage, Reign, and Death of a Queen of England: Catherine the Great: Legacy of Catherine the Great: Imperial Crown of Russia: The Story of Catherine the Great: Hypocrite, reactionary, usurper, sex maniac: is Catherine the Great’s reputation justified?: 10 Reasons Lincoln was Secretly a Terrible President: 5 Ugly Facts about Abraham Lincoln that No One Likes to Talk About: The Great Writ, North and South: Everything Wrong with the Lincoln Administration: Happy News: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 178 — Nov ‘15 Policy 10-yr Retrospective | Rafiki (2018)
06/11/2025
Ep 178 — Nov ‘15 Policy 10-yr Retrospective | Rafiki (2018)
Not only is it Pride month but it’s also been almost 10 years since the Mormon church issued their policy against the children of LGBTQIA+ parents. We take a look at the effects that policy had, the increasingly draconian measures the government is taking, and we read between the lines of Mormon church policies. We also look at the measures people are taking to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+. For Media of Great Price, we watched the lovely 2018 movie Rafiki about two lesbian women in Kenya. And we end with good news out of Paris about a new monument. Happy Pride Month! Show notes: . MOGP: Rafiki: Where it’s streaming: Wikipedia page: Happy News: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 177 — Doubts | The Crucible of Doubt
05/28/2025
Ep 177 — Doubts | The Crucible of Doubt
We’re talking about the bane of the Q15’s existence! Doubts of the members. We discuss the terrible way they are dealt with which leads into the second installment of the Givens’ trilogy — The Crucible of Doubt — Reflections on the Quest for Faith. Following that we have some good news out of El Paso where the Consulate General of Mexico gave out free measles vaccines to children and adults in El Paso, Texas. Show Notes: Jana Riess: Who is leaving the LDS church? Eight key survey findings: When Doubts and Questions Arise by Adam Kotter, Ensign March 2015: Christ is Risen: Faith in him will move mountains, by Russell M. Nelson, April 2021 General Conference talk: Happy News: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on ”What’s with Mormon Underwear?” Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 176 — Mormon fasting vs other religions | South Park
05/14/2025
Ep 176 — Mormon fasting vs other religions | South Park
Fasting! In all its forms and purposes. We take a wander through world religions to see how fasting plays a part in almost all of them. Mormon fasting is far less peculiar than we thought. Then a few episodes of South Park that provide wonderful commentary on fasting, the economy, and witch hunts. We round out with happy news about land being returned to Indigenous people and burn through listener mail that’s been piling up. Show notes: Fasting: Fasting: Religious Fasting: Fasting in Islam: Ramadan: Native Teachings are about a way of life: Fasting in Jainism: With Lent almost over, here’s why religions fast: Fasting in African Spirituality: Sam Young: Hunger strikes: Nonviolent resistance: Civil disobedience: Violet Bland: Emmeline Pankhurst: The Pankhurst Sisters: How suffragettes changed the world: Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act 1913: Intermittent Fasting: Fad or valid weight-loss solution: The Effects of Fasting on Drug Metabolism MOGP: South Park Spontaneous Combustion S3E2 Margaritaville S13E3 Sons of Witches S21E6 Happy News: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on ”What’s with Mormon Underwear?” Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 175 — The God Who Weeps Wrap-Up | The Meaning of Life
04/30/2025
Ep 175 — The God Who Weeps Wrap-Up | The Meaning of Life
We’re finishing The God Who Weeps by Terryl Givens and Fiona Givens. This is the first book in a trilogy of Mormon theology and we want to leave room in the year to get through it all. What does today hold for us? We start with a long discussion on the pre-mortal existence, transitioning into existence, then ascending to perfection thanks to Mormon beliefs. We didn’t realize until pretty late in the project that the 5 chapters of the book are structured around the different stages of the Mormon Plan of Salvation (PoS), but it become clear pretty early on in our discussion. All told, the book is a marker of modern orthodox Mormon belief: pray, pay, and obey. They even have an ultra-conservative take on abortion that makes the official stance of the church seem like bleeding-heart liberals in comparison. Then we talk about The Meaning of Life, a Monty Python movie from 1983 that has a much more healthy way of looking at the random cosmic soup that led to human existence. We wrap with some happy news about the success of a slightly higher tax in Massachusetts that raised a bunch of money for all the things for which taxes are used. We round out by going through some delightful listener mail from the April Fools episode! MOGP: Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life Happy News: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 174.4 — Sun Afternoon Apr 2025 GenCon
04/16/2025
Ep 174.4 — Sun Afternoon Apr 2025 GenCon
April 2025 General Conference Sunday Afternoon session. Patrons of the show get the appendix of Saturday Evening session at the end of the record. Ulisses Soares – Reverence; Moses and the burning bush; you-damn-kids talk; pray for guidance from the Holy Ghost for AI, don’t weaken your connection to God with AI!!! Michael Strong Q70 – Killed a kid on a bike during his mission, was really sad that he had to spend the night in jail until a ‘compassionate’ fellow missionary stayed with him Scott Whiting Q70 – Hazed as a deacon and sat on a cactus; Garden of Eden, “blessed Eve”, crying repentance Christopher Kim Q70 – JS translated an ancient record, includes God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas; Laman and Lemuel were sooooo evil and dumb; moral agency, we can choose to harden or soften our hearts, submission vs respect Patrick Kearon – Gifts, “you really are that you might have joy,” repent ye, repent ye Benjamin M Z Tai Q70 – Cancellation of a sealing after divorce, pray daily, “Ask sincerely what you can do to help an individual feel god” Rusty Nailz – The world is coming to an end; sooo many new temples that won’t be built for another 3 decades Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on what Mormons can teach us about organizing a cult: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 174.3 — Sun Morning Apr 2025 GenCon
04/16/2025
Ep 174.3 — Sun Morning Apr 2025 GenCon
April 2025 General Conference Sunday Morning session. David A Bednar – Joseph Smith totally restored the one true church; and other sundry sacrament meeting talking points Steven Shumway Q70 – Do your callings, no matter how demanding they may be Tamara Runia FC YW GP – Cry for repentance; Jesus is excited every time he sees us on our knees Gerald Causse PB – Dude who controls the church’s wealth is moved by seeing people suffering in poverty Gerrit Gong – Jesus Wept; Easter, Palm Sunday, holy week; mortal and moral agency and alignment with Bednar John McCune Q70 – Tithing, temple attendance, the world is ending, Rusty is a terrible dad who abandoned his daughter on her death bed Dallin Oaks – The most flacid GC talk he’s given in years; Plan of Salvation, sacrament meeting talk, returning to the Celestial Kingdom, 10 virgins, trusting in the lord will keep you safe Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on what Mormons can teach us about organizing a cult: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 174.2 — Sat Afternoon Apr 2025 GenCon
04/16/2025
Ep 174.2 — Sat Afternoon Apr 2025 GenCon
April 2025 General Conference Saturday Afternoon session. Niel Anderson – Heinous abortion is evil diatribe, the church is extreme Conservative Steven Lund YM GP – Priesthood is awesome, men run everything in the church S Mark Palmer Q70 – Willow tree, cut up the fallen ones Sandino Roman Q70 – Drowning story Dale Renlund – A dumb 6-year-old thought the second coming was real Hans T Boom Q70 – Poor people donated their washing machine money to build a temple; Armies of Helaman Dieter Uchtdorf – The Church isn’t perfect, come back anyway; polishing the turd of a session before him Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on what Mormons can teach us about organizing a cult: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 174.1 — Sat Morning Apr 2025 GenCon
04/16/2025
Ep 174.1 — Sat Morning Apr 2025 GenCon
April 2025 General Conference Saturday Morning session. Jeffrey R. Holland – Little boy bites a little girl, better teach her to forgive! Camille Johnson RS GP – Waiting to be healed filling spiritual holes Ronald Rasband – Church is DOING GREAT! Don’t check our numbers… Quentin L. Cook – Handcart companies and tragedy Ricardo Gemenez Q70 – Checklist Mormonism Henry Eyring – Zombie Jesus Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on what Mormons can teach us about organizing a cult: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 173 — Joseph Smith Wasn’t a Polygamist | O Brother, Where Art Thou?
04/01/2025
Ep 173 — Joseph Smith Wasn’t a Polygamist | O Brother, Where Art Thou?
It’s time to examine Joseph-Smith-polygamy skepticism. After the recent Journal of Mormon Polygamy conference, we decided to seriously consider the evidences used by this cohort of Mormon studies, leading us to understand that polygamy was a creation of Brigham Young and the Utah Mormon movement. After that we discuss O Brother, Where Art Thou? An Oddessy movie interweaving many storytelling archetypes and tropes. Then some good news about automotive subsidies coming in the form of tariffs. Show notes: Joseph Smith Wasn’t a Polygamist video playlist Journal of Mormon Polygamy MOGP: O Brother, Where Art Thou IMDB: Where it’s streaming: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism. Here’s the most recent episode on what Mormons can teach us about organizing a cult: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 172 — All About Cults feat. Chris Shelton | Don’t Look Up
03/19/2025
Ep 172 — All About Cults feat. Chris Shelton | Don’t Look Up
We have a guest for our main segment this time. Chris Shelton is a cult expert content creator who eats, breathes, and sleeps high-demand, coercive groups. We discuss everything from what makes a group a cult, how to identify them, is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a cult, and proper ways to approach conversations about high-demand groups. Be sure to check out our series collaborating on Chris’s YouTube channel linked below. After that we discuss Don’t Look Up, a 2021 movie about the cult of politics and a major natural disaster that affects everybody across the globe. To wrap up we have a brief chat about a gene-related study on mice and speech patterns before closing out with a review of all our listener mail from the Death Penalty series. Next Live Show: Mon, March 31, 2025 6:00 PM (MT) Bryce’s YouTube channel: Show Notes: Chris Shelton: Chris’s YouTube: Wikipedia: MOGP: Don’t Look Up IMDB: Where it’s streaming: Happy News: Listener Mail link: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism: Speaking of Cults … Mormonism is a Compliance Culture: Other links: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: and Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 171 — Death Penalty pt. 2 Mormon Violence, Religion and DP, Ethics and Morals
03/10/2025
Ep 171 — Death Penalty pt. 2 Mormon Violence, Religion and DP, Ethics and Morals
It’s time for part 2 of our Death Penalty series! Since this is a Mormon podcast, we first look into the history of Mormons and the death penalty. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young both ordered assassinations and fostered environments where random acts of violence became inevitable. The State of Deseret, Utah, has a comparatively bloody, theocratic history. Then we take a broader view of religion and capital punishment. After that, we look into the ethics/morals of capital punishment and give you a look at the Innocence project. We wrap by discussing your responses from Survey #1 as well as our own viewpoints on the subject. Survey #2: After listening to these episodes, we’d like to hear if your insights or opinions have changed and how. Show Notes: Trump v United States: Oral argument on the former president’s immunity claim: 23-939 Trump v United States (7/1/2024) Account of hearing between circa 3 and 9 June 1837 state of Ohio v Joseph Smith for threatening to take life: Joseph, in the Elder’s Journal, discusses the Kirtland Bank and Warren Parrish and Grandison Newell’s charges against hi: Orson Hyde, Life lessons learned: Danites: Danite Manifesto: The Danite Constitution and Theories of Democratic Justice in Frontier America: Journal of Mormon History Vol 30, No. 2, 2004: General Smith’s views of the powers and policy of the government of the United States circa 26 January - 7 February 1844: Journal of Mormon History Vol 33, No 1, 2007: The Coming Storm: The murder of Jesse Thompson Hartley: The wound the never healed: Official position on capital punishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: The Movement to Abolish Capital Punishment in America 1787-1861: “Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius”: . The convict's visitor: or, Penitential offices, (in the ancient way of liturgy) consisting of prayers, lessons, and meditations; with suitable devotions before, and at the time of execution. : [Four lines from Luke] / By William Smith, A.M. Rector of Trinity Church in Newport: Arguments for and against the death penalty “Under sentence of death”: The movement to abolish capital punishment in Massachusetts: The 2% death penalty: Press Release: 10 facts about the death penalty in the U.S.: The Death Penalty — Your questions answered: Death penalty issues: 10 reasons why the death penalty is wrong: Arguments for and against the death penalty: Death penalty debate: John Brown: John Brown: The First American to Hang for Treason: John Brown (abolitionist): John Brown a Biography: A Look Back at John Brown: Bleeding Kansas: Pottawatomie Massacre: John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry: John Brown’s Provisional Constitution: The Rosenberg’s Historical Federal Executions: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: Atom Spy Case/Rosenbergs: The Rosenberg Trial: teacher handout: chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/ Espionage Act of 1917: The Origins of the Espionage Act of 1917: Was Judge Learned Hand’s Understanding of the Act Defensible? By Geoffrey R Stone: chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/ Espionage Act of 1917 and Sedition Act of 1918 (1917-1918): The Espionage Act’s constitutional legacy: Hi-Fi Murders Hi-Fi Murders: How the Hi-Fi Murders changed life in Ogden: Innocence Project: Public Officials and Advocates Respod to SCOTUS’ Decision to Overturn Richard Glossip’s Conviction: RIchard Glossip: Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism: Speaking of Cults … Mormonism is a Compliance Culture: Other links: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: and Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 170 — Death Penalty pt. 1
02/19/2025
Ep 170 — Death Penalty pt. 1
We begin our next series, this time on Capital Punishment. We start with the history of crimes throughout written history that justified the death penalty. Then we get into colonial history and how the death penalty was built into the foundations of racist America. Multiple Supreme Court rulings have shifted the landscape. We end with the recent EO attempting to expand the powers of the death penalty. Death Penalty survey #1: Show Notes: History of the death penalty: Timeline of the history of the death penalty: History of the death penalty in USA: Death penalty in the U.S.: Capital punishment in the United States: On Crimes and Punishment by Cesare Bonesana di Beccaria, 1764: Overview of the death penalty and capital trials: History, current status, legal procedures, and cost: Crimes act of 1790: List of women executed in the United States since 1976: Amnesty International resources “The Movement to Abolish Capital Punishment in America, 1787-1861” by David Brion Davis: Study reveals racial bias in executions: “I just wanted to … stay alive” Who was WIlliam Furman, the prisoner at the center of a historic legal decision?: Furman v Georgia: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-supreme-court/408/238.html chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/ Gregg v Georgia: HIstorical Federal Executions: Judiciary Act of 1789: EO on expanded Death Penalty Equal Justice Initiative Texas Department of Criminal Justice on DP McCleskey v. Kemp EJI on McCleskey v. Kemp Racial bias in death penalty Furman v Georgia Wilkerson v Utah The Movement to Abolish Capitla Punishment by David Brion Davis Abraham Johnstone address Slave Executions in the US Execution statistics in US Thomas Paine opposing execution of Louis XVI History of lynching in America . Confronting hte legacy of lynching in America Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism: Recent Live Show Book Club on Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 169 — 3 Mormon Lawsuits; Spotlight
02/05/2025
Ep 169 — 3 Mormon Lawsuits; Spotlight
3 lawsuits against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We discuss the class action suit, Judson et al v. LDS, the recently tossed case of Huntsman v. LDS, and the civil RICO suit Gaddy v. LDS. Where do they stand? How likely are they to prevail? What are the next steps? We go over them and discuss the implications and steps forward. Then we chat about the 2015 movie Spotlight about the Boston Globe journalists who reported on Cathlolic sex abuse in the early 2000s. We wrap with some happy news about a new solar plant being built in Oregon! We are on BlueSky now! If you’re on BlueSky already, you can find us @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social, @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social, or by following the link in the show notes below! Show Notes: Gaddy v. LDS Judson et al v. LDS Huntsman v. LDS Other related resources: MOGP: Spotlight (2015): Where it’s streaming: Articles: Wikipedia: Wired: LA Press Club Veritas award: Happy News: Recent Live Show Book Club on Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: BlueSky: @ Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 168 — Terryl and Fiona Givens | The God Who Weeps
01/22/2025
Ep 168 — Terryl and Fiona Givens | The God Who Weeps
It’s time to start a new year and new book for our long-form deep dive reviews of terrible Mormon books. And this one is… not terrible? The Givens present a form of Mormon theology which tries to “make sense of life” and we’re here for any Mormon theology that doesn’t include discrimination, sexism, and anything holding it over from its past. We dive into the introduction and first chapter of the book. But, what would a book review be without some due diligence about the authors? We spend the first portion talking about Terryl and Fiona Givens, their histories, publishing careers, and try to get a sense for what we can expect throughout this book. Terryl and Fiona Givens: Sword of Laman: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: Twitter: Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 167 — Callis, Kimball, Skousen, Gilbert–Utah & BYU Police State | Minority Report
01/08/2025
Ep 167 — Callis, Kimball, Skousen, Gilbert–Utah & BYU Police State | Minority Report
BYU and SLC anti-vice. We discuss the history of Charles A. Callis, his career in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and politics, and his final assignment before death, creating a sexual purity surveillance and counseling/therapy program for Mormons in the 40s. After his death, Spencer W. Kimball took the reins and vastly expanded the reach and purposes of the program, resulting in The Miracle of Forgiveness. Cleon Skousen was running raids on gay clubs and anybody else seen as commie enemies of god’s country. The systems they created have adapted, evolved, and conformed to the times, but never gone away, as evidenced by the recent SL Tribue piece about BYU’s retrenchment and culture of fear. Then we chat about Minority report, a Tom Cruise sci-fi flick with surprisingly profound concepts. We wrap with happy news about the first openly transgender congressperson in American history. Show Notes: Article Shannon brought up: The Role of the LDS Church in Utah Politics: An Insider’s Look MOGP: Minority Report: Where it’s streaming: Happy News: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: Twitter: Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10
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Ep 166 — All Media!
12/25/2024
Ep 166 — All Media!
You know the time of year! Next Live Show: Monday 12/30/24 Show Notes: Starship Troopers: Movie: Book: Robert A Heinlein: District 9: The Island: Viral by Robin Cook: Robin Cook: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury : chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/ Animal Farm: A Fairy Tale by George Orwell: George Orwell: Animal Farm: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: Twitter: Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: One time Paypal donation: Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10
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