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 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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Ep 165 — Approaching Zion the finale!
12/11/2024
Ep 165 — Approaching Zion the finale!
We are finally finishing up the Huge Niblet! We cover the last two chapters of Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley followed by our own conclusions about Nibley and what he accomplished. We then finish with some happy news about an environmental lawsuit in North Carolina. Show notes Approaching Zion, by Hugh Nibley The Closing of the American Mind: Haldeman-Julius and their Little Blue Books: John Dewey: Pragmatism: Progressive education: Functional psychology: Modern liberalism in the United States: The Muses: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): What is Yom Kippur?: Yom Kippur: Rosh Hashanah: Ten Days of Repentance: Dura-Europos: Dura-Europos Synagogue: Predestination: Paradox of Free Will: Nibley review by Kent Jackson 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 164 — Gaslighting
11/27/2024
Ep 164 — Gaslighting
Here in the USA, it’s right before Thanksgiving and right after a bad election so it’s time to talk about Gaslighting. We discuss what it is, how to spot it, and how to fight it. For Media of Great Price, we talk about the 1944 movie Gaslight, which is where the term originates. We close out with happy news about a new way to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. Enjoy! Show Notes: Gaslighting: — — — Domestic Abuse Hotline, What is Gaslighting: What is gaslighting abuse: What is Narcissistic Gaslighting?: History of Gaslighting: Gaslighting signs: How to deal with gaslighting: Is Someone Gaslighting You?: Zersetzung: Gaslighting in the Workplace: How to Combat gaslighting in the workplace: Religious/Spiritual Gaslighting: How to Deal with Gaslighting by Ariel Leve, Ted talk: Gaslighting: What is it and how do we fight back?: Mindfulness: MIndfulness: The surprising skill you can use to stop gaslighting: Recommended books: On Gaslighting by Kate Abramson Gaslighting: The Double Whammy, Interrogation, and Other Methods of Covert Control In Psychotherapy & Analysis by Theo L. Dorpat The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide by Dr. Robin Stern MOGP: 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 163 — Science Fiction and the Gospel |Approaching Zion pt. 8
11/13/2024
Ep 163 — Science Fiction and the Gospel |Approaching Zion pt. 8
Welcome to another Huge Niblet episode. And yes, it’s a bit huge. (You saw the time stamp!) In the A segment, we discuss Hugh Nibley’s 1969 diatribe titled Science Fiction and the Gospel as well as the article that likely triggered his rage induced lecture. Then we move into our penultimate Approaching Zion discussion. Following that, we have some excellent news about Gen Z women leaving religion. Enjoy! Show Notes: Sword of Laman: Approaching Zion, by Hugh Nibley Books and poems mentioned: 1984 by George Orwell: In the Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri: Egyptian and Mesopotamian lamentation literature: lamenting lost glories and looking forward to a return of the same under a messianic king Lycurgus by Plutarch: Eunomia by Solon: Republic by Plato: Eclogues by Virgil: Utopia by Thomas More: The City of the Sun by Thomas Campenella: Nova Atlantis by Francis Bacon: Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes: The Commonwealth of Oceana by James Harrington: The Adventures of Telemachus, son of Ulysses by François Fénelon: Other references: 1984 US Presidential Election: Ronald Reagan scandals: Cry Havoc: Utopia: Rekhabite/Rechabite/Rekabite: , Joachim of Fiore: Benedict of Nursia: Mendicant orders: Potemkin Village: Happy News: Next Live Show!: Saturday November 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM (Mountain time) Kang, Lydia; Pedersen, Nate. Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything. Workman Publishing Company. 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 162 — Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson | I Write to You, My Darling Decay by A Wake in Providence
10/30/2024
Ep 162 — Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson | I Write to You, My Darling Decay by A Wake in Providence
It’s October and so you finally get a Halloween themed media episode to round out the month. First we talk about Robert Louis Stevenson and his book Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. We discuss some of the major themes as well as some of the many, many, MANY movie depictions that have been done of it. Then we talk about the incredibly amazing metal album by A Wake in Providence titled I Write to You, My Darling Decay. And we end with happy news about the increase in early voting. Enjoy and have a happy Samhain! Show Notes: Robert Louis Stevenson: Robert Louis Stevenson: RLS website: Fanny Stevenson: The Lighthouse Stevensons: The Speculative Society: William Henley: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson Project Gutenberg ebook of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson: Gothic fiction: Wikipedia article: Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Dualism in the Victorian Age: MOGP: I Write to You, My Darling album stream w/lyrics in video description Interview with vocalists D’Andre Tyre and Adam Mercer Sundry links to magical grimiores referenced in the album Happy News: GoFundMe for Shannon: 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 161 — Oct. ‘24 General Conference
10/16/2024
Ep 161 — Oct. ‘24 General Conference
It’s that time of year again! We go through the entirety of General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brad Wilcox was an idiot, Oaks was legalistic, and Bednar fawned over Ezra Taft Benson. But there were so many other talks that slipped through the cracks; that’s why we’re here. Yes it’s long, and yes it’s thorough. And now we don’t have to think about it for another 6 months! Are you registered to vote?! Links: Exponent II article by Jen Morrison 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 160 — Fear & Control | Approaching Zion pt. 7
10/02/2024
Ep 160 — Fear & Control | Approaching Zion pt. 7
Fear! What is it? How does it work? How can it be used to control us? That’s our main segment, fear and mind control. Then we dive into the next installment of Huge Niblet and Approaching Zion for 2 essays/talks about fear and Nibley’s envisioned perfect society. We wrap with happy news about coal power taking another hit. Do you want to help set up and run our discord server?! Reach out to us on social media or email links below! Are you registered to vote?! Show Notes: ). Sword of Laman: Approaching Zion, by Hugh Nibley Happy News: Kang, Lydia; Pedersen, Nate. Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything. Workman Publishing Company. GoFundMe for Shannon: 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 159 — Children of Men by PD James, book and movie
09/18/2024
Ep 159 — Children of Men by PD James, book and movie
Shannon talks about books again! We are back on the subject of dystopian literature today and we deliberate over the 1992 book Children of Men, written by PD James. We also watched the movie based on the book and we talk about the differences and similarities to each. After that we share some happy news about nuclear power. Enjoy! Show Notes: The Children of Men, by PD James: PD James: MOGP: Children of Men Film: Where film is streaming: Happy News: GoFundMe for Shannon: 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 158 — What Makes a Genius? | Approaching Zion pt. 6
09/04/2024
Ep 158 — What Makes a Genius? | Approaching Zion pt. 6
The weirdest chapter in Approaching Zion makes for a kinda’ weird A segment about intelligence and genius. We talk about the history of ranking intelligence and its influence on eugenics before discussing more modern conceptions of intelligence and genius from a nature AND nurture perspective. Then we get into Hugh Nibley’s eulogy of Donald Decker. It’s a standalone chapter, very different from every other chapter in Approaching Zion, and provides a wealth of interesting discussion, including why it was even included in the book to begin with. Then we wrap with happy news of Sweden hitting carbon emission targets ahead of schedule while boosting their economy. Are you registered to vote?! Utah Fungi Fest John Whitmer Historical Association Conference Show Notes: Hedy Lamarr: Sword of Laban: Approaching Zion, by Hugh Nibley “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare: “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare: Happy News: GoFundMe for Shannon: Email: Patreon: Patreon page for documentary: Facebook page: Twitter: Instagram: Merch store: Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here:
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