Life Matters
Hosted by Commissioner Brian Johnston, a weekly program examining the right to life, culture and the battle of ideas. With various guests and experts he examines the arts, the nature of the law, the practice of medicine, ethics, and personal accountability for our own lives as well as the lives of others.
info_outline
287: Do Polls Tell the Truth? - Rebroadcast
10/04/2024
287: Do Polls Tell the Truth? - Rebroadcast
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explores the idea of popular opinion polls. At election time, the media will often present what they claim to be public opinion on the issue of abortion. It is critically important to understand that, very often the general, and unspecific nature of the terms used does not often reflect a valid view of public opinion. More specifically, generic feelings about “choice”, support for Roe, or reproductive freedom do not accurately reflect the average American’s view of abortion particulars. Brian examine’s the current habit for many polling organizations, Pew Research Center as one example, do actually take polls state by state and reach sweeping and generic conclusions. The most common is the statement that the citizens of (fill in the blank) state support all or most abortions. Yet the very terms ‘all’ and ‘most’ are, in fact, contradictory. All means 100%! Most means 50% or more. There is a chasm of difference. And yet this is the most frequently used phrasing of the Pew CharitableTrust. Specific polling questions regarding the reasons for the abortion, the gestational age of the child involved in the abortion, and other surrounding factors, greatly impact the public view of the medical procedure. The recent Wall Street Journal poll confirmed what polls have indicated for more than a decade: The majority of Americans are opposed to late term abortion, or abortions that are done for social reasons (i.e. just done for choice) and have varying views regarding the medical purpose that may be involved. Killing a child because of a genetic anomaly is still opposed by the majority of Americans. Similarly, if the woman’s life is actually in danger, the majority of Americans will condone such an abortion. If the definition of “health” is made specific, the majority of Americans only support abortions for very serious health issues. Under Roe versus Wade, because of its deliberate definition of “health,” as meaning any psychological or sociological reason that the abortionist himself could come up with, alarms the average American and such vague and unspecific definitions of health are not what they mean by endangering a woman‘s life. Yet, Roe versus Wade equated the two terms.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/33336527
info_outline
313: Local Elections Matter - Rebroadcast
09/27/2024
313: Local Elections Matter - Rebroadcast
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnson explains the importance of elections, each and every election. More importantly, he focuses on the power of your vote the further down the ballot you go. On a statewide level, your vote is a drop in the bucket. But as various jurisdictions get smaller, the number of voters also gets dramatically smaller and this is why local elections are so important. In order to have candidates for the state legislature, or for Congress, you must draw from people with some degree of political experience. Most people who run for these higher offices have had experience at the local level, whether it be school board, city council. or supervisor. Ironically, it is THESE starter positions, where your vote and the vote of your friends, make the greatest impact. By being involved in local elections, you can launch the career of people who share your values and ideals. Many elections for city office and for school board are determined by a relative handful of votes. That handful, five or six votes, may mean nothing on the larger level, but to keep Planned Parenthood out of your school district, that handful of votes can be the key difference. By paying attention to these local races, you are not only effective in protecting your community from organizations like Planned Parenthood and others who seek to control the minds of your children, but you’re helping to elect individuals who wish to see the government make wise decisions. You’re helping out individuals who share your values. You’re making a difference in your state, in your region, in your community. All politics is local.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/33232807
info_outline
324: Election 2024
08/19/2024
324: Election 2024
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston explains the real issues that are at stake. Brian warns listeners of the dangers of popular media culture. He reminds us that Orwell‘s purpose in writing “1984” was actually to portray how the average person responds to a dominant media culture, dedicated to influencing and controlling society. But there are deeper issues that matter, issues that the media either ignores, misrepresents, or intentionally attacks. In order to be truly responsible for ourselves, our lives, our family, and if we believe in God, responsible to our Maker, we must, yes, we must, dig deeper. Sadly, we live in a culture that appeals to feelings and emotions as our primary source of understanding. These are immediate and surface reactions. This is very unwise. The media knows exactly how to manipulate feelings. The media knows exactly how to direct those feelings into the wrong ideas. That is what it specializes in. Advertising, promoting, and getting the masses to go in a certain direction is its art and inherently what our media culture is all about. Brian again examined the actual significance of Roe v. Wade and Doe v Bolton. In addition to allowing babies to be killed, more importantly, it assigned a whole new class of killers, people who never were to kill, individuals whose job it was to protect and defend the most vulnerable humans at the most vulnerable time - those in the medical profession. Since January 22,1973, doctors are now professional killers for hire. Brian brings these phenomena full circle as he discusses the elections of 2024. He reminds listeners that many elections of America’s past were very, very close and would’ve changed history if they had gone the other direction. He explains the re-election of Abraham Lincoln and how Lincoln was hated by many Republicans in addition to many Democrats. The fact that Donald Trump has a personality that many people don’t like should not be an issue for the simple reason: the purpose of politics is actually implementing policy. We must look at the actual policies being sought. We must look at the actual policies being implemented. Kamala Harris is the most radical and extreme, progressive, socialist/communist to have ever run for president. The dominant media is currently trying to redefine and lie about her policies. The media is not your friend. The media has an agenda. Make sure that you and your family understand what’s at stake for our nation and for innocent lives in this coming election. Make sure that you vote and vote for policies that protect life. Vote all the way down the ballot for people who will stand for the Constitution, for the Right To Life, for the principles that we have been given as Americans. These are all at stake in this election.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/32642477
info_outline
323: Global Warming
07/20/2024
323: Global Warming
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston takes a deep dive into real science. He takes a deep dive into simple grade school science, of basic earth science, basic astronomy as taught in sixth grade, and the common sense science that any fifth or sixth grader can understand. The issue we must clearly destroy, and which is probably the most insidious and clever at this moment, is the whole idea of man-made global warming. The president of the United States and many internationalists have proclaimed that man-made global warming is the single, in fact the only, true dispositive threat and the ultimate threat to the world. They are simplistic deceivers. They are themselves deceived. But they are most desirous to deceive the population in order to control them, in order to limit them. This argument is essential to undercutting the belief that human beings are uniquely significant and their lives should be protected. Man-made global warming argues that human beings are the world’s greatest problem. It argues for population reduction and government control of the remaining population. It is a deceitful and dishonest argument, framing itself as the opposite - “protecting humanity” and “saving the planet.” Listen and use Brian’s examples. The truth is more obvious than you may think.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/32225937
info_outline
322: The Actual Debate
07/14/2024
322: The Actual Debate
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston takes an even deeper dive into the real significance of the recent presidential debate. Previously, he explored the debate through the eyes of Fox News host, Shannon Bream and United States Senator from Pennsylvania, John Fetterman. But both of those commentators from right and left were dealing with a very facile, surface analysis, particularly focusing on the significance of Joe Biden‘s performance. But that is what EVERY media outlet has focused on - every Republican and even Democrat pundit has made America focus on that topic. And while competence of the current president is indeed an important topic, the deeper issue of the policies of this president and his party are being skated over. In this episode, Brian discusses the real issue of the Democratic Party and its extreme radical policies on the issues of life and family economics. In fact, every single aspect of life in the United States is being destroyed by the policies of this Democrat Party. Many pro-life individuals are committed Catholics or even committed Evangelicals and yet have remained registered Democrats. It is vitally important that whatever registration you may currently have, you must understand that only the Republican Party has taken a wise and measured position and life-affirming public policy stance. Only victory by the Republican Party can help restore the right to life for the innocent in the United States again. Brian underscores an important principal regarding digging deeper into objective facts. That principle is outlined in many places, but in particular he points out Proverbs 14:15. “The simple believe every word. But the wise look well to their going.” Many people do not take the time to understand the language they hear and the language that they use. A single word can carry much more significance, and at times we ourselves can actually apply the wrong mean ing to a single word and then draw the wrong conclusions to the very language that we’re hearing and using. That is what people do. Wise people step back, look, and measure what the real meaning is. “The simple believe every word.” Brian applies this principal to the single word “overturn.” Many people think that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. That isn’t quite right. In fact, in someways Roe v. Wade has been thrown open, and pro- abortion states and advocates of death like Gavin Newsom, are actually attacking pro-life states and bringing the abortion industry into pro-life states - even violating their laws. In many ways, the Dobbs decision, by simply reducing our understanding of Roe as being a states’ rights issue, has simplified and dumbed down our understanding. In many ways, the Dobbs decision was like the Dred Scott decision, seeming to draw a line between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces, but actually giving a distinct advantage to the slaveholders and to advocates of slavery. So the abortion issue still must be addressed by the Supreme Court in order to obtain a complete victory. Nevertheless, in the presidential debate, former President Trump focused on the real issues and not just the stumbling and bumbling of President Biden. President Trump did what every pro-life individual must do today. He understood that the Democrat Party themselves, not just Biden, are the radicals. He underscored the current law, which in fact, allows for abortion on-demand and simply empowers doctors to kill a baby through all nine months and even post-birth. Joe Biden, and all Democrats, like to pretend that that’s not the case and will willingly lie. But Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton created that exact scenario. Doctors are now killers and unless we, as pro-lifers, focus on the killing nature of the medical profession as determined by Roe, we will not win. The debate has given all of us a great opportunity to cut through the fog regarding what Roe is and was, and what real issues are at stake in this election. Whether or not Joe Biden is the nominee really isn’t the issue. The entire policy structure of the Democrat Party is the real issue.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/32124362
info_outline
321: It's Not About Lucidity. It's About Policy
07/05/2024
321: It's Not About Lucidity. It's About Policy
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston examines the real implications of the recent presidential debate. Interestingly, he agrees with Pennsylvania Democratic senator, John Fetterman. In an interview with Fox News' Shannon Bream, Fetterman points out that he himself was in apparent mental collapse and his debates with candidate, Dr. Oz of television fame were complete failures due to Fetterman’s slurring and confused use of language. It turns out that Fetterman went on to actually win the election by several points. Brian points out that the real issues of the most recent presidential debate were not how either Trump or Biden spoke. The real issues in the debate are the ideas, the policies, the laws that are brought to bear by their respective political parties. Politics is about policy. The Democrat Party of America today is the single most radical entity that has ever existed in the United States of America. It is no longer the mildly liberal Democrat Party of perhaps your parents’ generation or even of just recent years. On the abortion issue, they believe in unlimited government financed, government advertised, government promoted abortion through the ninth month and even after birth. That was admitted in the June 2024 debate! That is what Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton authorized. Listeners from both parties were deeply disturbed by Biden’s failures and many Democrats want a better leader to be the puppet for their policies in order to inspire victory. But the issue, nevertheless, is not who is at the head of the party. The issue really is the policies that that party will bring to bear and who that president will equip not only his entire cabinet with, but all the appointments of the federal government. That president’s policies are going to be what the rest of their party will follow not only on the federal level, but Democrats all the way down through state and local government are influenced by the policies stated by that party’s platform and plank and leadership. That was the real significance of the most recent presidential debate. In another program, Life Matters will examine the actual debate topics and demonstrate that the Democrat Party commitment to the logic of Roe v. Wade is very present. They want to insist that Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton remain the law of the land.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/32024462
info_outline
320: Doctors Are The Issue, Not Babies
06/21/2024
320: Doctors Are The Issue, Not Babies
Who has choice? It’s not women! It was only doctors who were authorized to kill, to decide when to kill and what procedures to use. Yes, in Roe v. Wade choice was given only to doctors. In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston explorers the confusion that many individuals have regarding what happened onJanuary 22, 1973. The Roe v. Wade decision is actually quite direct and explicit. There is no right of a woman to a woman’s own body. Justice Blackmun, the author of Roe, was not giving women the right to do whatever they want, whenever they want, and especially with a very difficult medical procedure like human abortion. Blackmun was explicit in both Roe, and in particular in Doe v. Bolton - only doctors would be authorized to kill. Specifically, they were to be free to decide when, where, how and for what reason, even for no reason in particular, to perform a human abortion. They were the ones given a choice. Later, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, attempting to teach feminists that they still had not achieve their goal, underscored that Roe and Doe did not give women the right to choose. It only gave them a right to ask. All authority of the medical decision was to be made by a medical doctor, the now killer, the abortionist. Brian reminds listeners that because of human psychology, and, in particular, the phenomenon known as attachment theory, human beings are emotionally supportive of young creatures, particularly young mammals. The wide eyes, mewling and ‘baby sounds’ bring an innate adult reaction. That would include human babies, but for some people canine babies – puppies are even more emotionally attractive! But the crime of abortion is not that cute babies are killed and that OUR emotions are stretched by that action. The crime is that this is a human being has been killed. That is the most startling culture change that ever hit our society. Doctors were now to kill their fellow human beings and explicitly to ignore the Hippocratic Oath. Western medicine was now destroyed. The most trustworthy and honored profession in society has become the most evil and diabolical profession. Doctors, regardless of their personality, are under tremendous financial, sociological and cultural pressure to endorse, and when put upon, to end the lives of their fellow human beings. The foundation that Western Civilization was built on - protection of innocent lives - was now terminated. The physician was now transformed to a paid killer. A cursory look at the current practice of medicine reminds us that there are bizarre ideas and values, and sociological confusion, allowing doctors to say and do things that are explicitly harmful to their patients, but that was not the case before January 22, 1973. In every state, the laws of that state regarding killing or harming were reflected by the ethos and guidelines of the medical profession, and the medical regulations, the laws, of the various states fell in line with that. Before Roe v. Wade doctors didn’t kill babies because doctors didn’t kill anyone. The Oath We must restore the Hippocratic Oath. We must focus on what the crime is, who the perpetrators are. If we make the mistake of focusing only on the victims, on how old they are, when they die, on what situations (rape, incest, difficult social circumstances) if that becomes the action of the pro-life movement, we have lost our way . We must restore the Hippocratic Oath to the medical profession. The laws of Georgia in 1973 were actually very good and reasonable and did allow doctors to determine if there were unusual circumstances, because a panel of three different doctors experienced in childbirth determine if this was indeed a problem pregnancy. They could exercise their medical judgment, and the state could still hold them responsible. That law of Georgia, which was overturned in Doe v. Bolton, was ironically one of the best state laws that protected human beings because it protected doctors from the temptation to kill. Unless we focus on who is exercising choice, who is the perpetrator, and restore that profession to its once noble position, we cannot win. At present, the pro-life movement is not winning. It is viewed as emotional and emotions can be arbitrary. It is viewed as religious and religious doctrines can also be confusingly arbitrary. The Hippocratic Ooath was founded on the principles of natural law and the laws of nature and nature‘s God. Coincidentally, that was also the premise that America’s founders insisted be our guideline in making law. Restore the Oath. That should be our goal.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/31845132
info_outline
319: How A Republic Works with Scott Peotter
05/21/2024
319: How A Republic Works with Scott Peotter
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston discusses the actual nature of how a republic works. It works by representing the people through elected representation. These representatives exist at every level of government and through diversified jurisdictions . Brian interviews Scott Peotter, a long-time pro-life advocate who has served in local jurisdictions and has enforced just laws on the most local levels, including city council. In July 2023, Gavin Newsom attempted, in his role of governor, to force the Temecula school board to promote LGBTQ doctrines and accept Planned Parenthood abortion mandates in that district. The school board, by a very narrow margin, insisted that they are held accountable and will be accountable for the assets of that particular school district and that the governor was functioning as a dictatorial autocrat. The school board prevailed. It is critical to understand, if you care about the direction of our country, that we are a nation and a government that is, “of the people, by the people, and for the people” in the words of Abraham Lincoln, America’s first Republican President. If you desire for your nation, state, county or community to embrace good values in the civic realm, you absolutely must be aware, and then be involved in your local community.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/31407432
info_outline
318: SB 1196 with Alex Schadenberg
04/26/2024
318: SB 1196 with Alex Schadenberg
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian interviews Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. They discuss in depth the recent failure of California Senate Bill 1196 by Senator Blakespear. The irony is that the bill was not defeated by pro-life efforts. The bill was actually attacked by other pro-death organizations, lobbyist and legislators. Why would other pro-death advocates attack this measure? The prospects of passage in the California legislature are very good - the progressive Democratic Party holds a super majority in both houses. The governor would’ve gladly signed off, as he himself has been supportive and wrote of participating in the intentional killing of his own mother before it was even legalized in California. SB 1196, would no longer allow a need for terminal diagnosis, would make provision to kill those who are not a sound mind, and would remove most qualifying limitations on assisted suicide. The reason the bill was stopped is they knew it would likely pass, and that passage would send alarm bells to an otherwise sleeping public. Assisted suicide is going on in California medical facilities. Assisted suicide is, in fact, the intentional killing of a depressed person. It is happening now and as the death lobby knows, because of media coverage or perhaps lack of coverage, most Californians have no idea California doctors are killing patients. Brian and Alex point out that ‘choice’ whether it be in abortion or in euthanasia, does not actually refer to the patient. It is a medical decision and it is the choice of the doctor to do the abortion, it is the choice of the doctor to perform euthanasia. So when the term ‘choice’ is applied to these procedures, it doesn’t mean protecting a patient. It means protecting the choice of a killing doctor, a doctor who is blatantly defying the oath that made the medical perfection respected. That Hippocratic oath is now gone.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/30999008
info_outline
317: Understanding Why the United States Founders Used Natural Law
04/17/2024
317: Understanding Why the United States Founders Used Natural Law
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explains the importance of not being religious in our attempts to change the laws to protect innocent human life. Johnston reminds us that America’s founders were themselves deeply religious individuals, but they understood that many of them had disagreements within their own theologies - differences in doctrine. The answer to this difficult challenge was actually found in the formation of other republics throughout history. A republic asserts that there is more than simple voting and majoritarianism in making law. Votes must be according to higher laws. The founders referred to this existence of a higher law, a natural law premise, self-evident and ‘revealed in nature’, when they spoke of creating a more just government and founded on the principals of the laws of nature and nature’s God. It is essential for earnest pro-lifers, now that the various states are free to create new laws regarding abortion, that these pro-life advocates not be merely religious or doctrinaire advocates, but instead realize that they must build our laws on self-evident truth and be able to work within the principles of natural law and the methods of conducting a republic’s business through parliamentary procedure and debate. This necessitates setting aside our personal theology, working towards those higher laws, those common goods, and most importantly, being willing to compromise in order to get as much as we possibly can within the political process. Johnston explains how the current debate regarding appropriate abortion measures requires an understanding of natural law theory and practice, “the laws of nature and nature’s God” as the founders outlined it, and the ability and humility to compromise in order to accomplish goals.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/30861338
info_outline
316: Euthanasia Expansion
03/26/2024
316: Euthanasia Expansion
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston explores the rapid expansion of medical killing - euthanasia. The pattern for euthanasia advocates is to first establish a right to “assisted suicide” - a form of voluntary euthanasia – and imply that there will be protections from any abuse, and that there will be no expansion of medical killing. California Senate Bill 1169 by Senator Blakespear demonstrates again that once the idea of legalized medical killing is established, it is impossible to monitor or prevent its “It’s okay” expansion. Currently, it is very difficult to monitor the use of assisted suicide in California facilities. The government is dependent on the honesty of those reporting the actions and there is no penalty for failure to fill out a report. That being said, the new bill removes the idea that there be a six month prognosis of death. That language is changed to “a grievous and irremediable medical condition.” In other words, there need not be any terminal condition! Secondly, the new bill allows those with dementia to consent to assisted suicide, even though they have a condition that impairs their capacity to consent! The measure will now allow the use of intravenous administration of poison. Under current law, the person takes an oral dose of the poison at the time and place of their own choosing with or without witnesses. The new bill removes any need for a residency requirement. If you live in a state where your doctor is concerned that your depression and emotions are causing you to desire suicide, you can simply travel to California, where the new doctor will kill you without any further questions being asked. There is no requirement now, nor will there be, of psychological testing of the individuals to be killed. The 48-hour waiting period is removed. If you ask to die today, you will be killed the same day. The original California Assisted Suicide Law was scheduled to sunset by 2031. Most laws have a sunset in order to assess their efficacy. Now, medical killing - euthanasia - will be the law of the land for perpetuity. Don’t believe that euthanasia advocates want to limit euthanasia. They want to be free to dispose of any individuals whom they see fit for disposal. That’s how medical killing works. That’s how it worked under national socialism. That’s how it worked under international socialism. That’s how it works wherever the Hippocratic Oath is removed from society.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/30541183
info_outline
315: In Vitro Fertilization
03/06/2024
315: In Vitro Fertilization
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston examines the February 2024 decision of the Alabama Supreme Court regarding in vitro fertilization. The issue of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is not a new debate, but sadly, media coverage has over simplified and reduced a deeper analysis. The issue of manipulating human beings and playing God by creating, and then destroying human lives, has grave and dramatic implications for all of society, many of which are being ignored. First and foremost is the issue of human ownership. There is no debate that these are human embryos. Yes, they can be preserved by cryogenic freezing, But they are indeed human and as the movie, “Jurassic Park” intimates, via IVF, there are implications to the use of science to both create, and then possibly destroy the life created. In that film, the issue revolved around using science to create dinosaurs, using cryogenic freezing of the embryos. But also shows the implications of the creation and theft of such cryogenic “property”. President Trump was clear that it is a practice that should have parameters and limits. He endorses its use only for The issue of creating living property, “playing God,” is only the beginning. The idea of owning another human being is obviously at the heart of IVF issues when it comes to human reproduction. And the issue of owning a human being is clearly at the heart of both slavery and abortion. Western Civilization has recognized that it is unethical to claim ownership of another human being, much less destroy a human being you claim to own. Brian continues the discussion by examining the work of the The Swedish culture is considered liberal and progressive, but the dire implications of owning and creating new human lives are only beginning to be understood. The Swedish Council on Bioethics is asking for a re-examination and some reasonable limitations to be put on this ‘practice of medicine.’
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/30201138
info_outline
314: Nationalization of Euthanasia
03/02/2024
314: Nationalization of Euthanasia
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston examines the pressure in 2024 to legalize assisted suicide nationwide in the United States. Many nations have now adopted assisted suicide throughout their borders, including Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, in many others. The American euthanasia movement had attempted to do this through the courts, but in 1994 the Glucksberg decision by the United States Supreme Court announced there was no national “legal right” to be killed by medicine. In spring of 2024, there are 10 states that have legalized medical killing, plus the District of Columbia. There are another fourteen states that have now introduced measures for this year’s legislative session. But this belies the long-term methods, the actual approach that euthanasia advocates are taking. Initially, they propose safeguards and limits on a measure to help it get through the legislative process and legalized. But then they “adjust” the parameters of the law. One of the most common limits is to initially say it is only for residents of their state. This is in order to prevent what is happening in Switzerland, where tourist suicide allows people to fly in and simply be killed in any of dozens of death centers established in Switzerland. Many states that had put safeguards, like the need for multiple doctors to agree, or the need to be a state resident, or the need to be personally present with the physician (many drugs are now being prescribed via Zoom); all of those “safeguards” are now being removed. And there is concerted effort in the media, and by agent provocateur, to encourage those who are medically and emotionally vulnerable to receive their poison pills across state line via Zoom, or to travel to states where their lies will be brought to a swift and immediate end . What all of this means is that we, as individuals. must be extremely attentive to our elderly and dependent relatives. We must ensure that, if they are in any long-term care facilities, proper emotional and medical attention is paid to them. This can only be done by personal involvement. It can’t be done from afar Just as in older cultures, it is the family, and our immediate involvement with family, that is the greatest safeguard in a confused and dying civilization willing to kill the isolated vulnerable.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/30201123
info_outline
313: Local Elections Matter
02/19/2024
313: Local Elections Matter
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnson explains the importance of elections, each and every election. More importantly, he focuses on the power of your vote the further down the ballot you go. On a statewide level, your vote is a drop in the bucket. But as various jurisdictions get smaller, the number of voters also gets dramatically smaller and this is why local elections are so important. In order to have candidates for the state legislature, or for Congress, you must draw from people with some degree of political experience. Most people who run for these higher offices have had experience at the local level, whether it be school board, city council. or supervisor. Ironically, it is THESE starter positions, where your vote and the vote of your friends, make the greatest impact. By being involved in local elections, you can launch the career of people who share your values and ideals. Many elections for city office and for school board are determined by a relative handful of votes. That handful, five or six votes, may mean nothing on the larger level, but to keep Planned Parenthood out of your school district, that handful of votes can be the key difference. By paying attention to these local races, you are not only effective in protecting your community from organizations like Planned Parenthood and others who seek to control the minds of your children, but you’re helping to elect individuals who wish to see the government make wise decisions. You’re helping out individuals who share your values. You’re making a difference in your state, in your region, in your community.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/30008373
info_outline
Life Matters 37th Anniversary Special
01/20/2024
Life Matters 37th Anniversary Special
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston reminiscences on Life Matters beginning in 1987, on its expansion, and the many friends and allies that have brought it to this point 37 years later. Life Matters began on radio station station KCBC the 50,000 Watt (The highest wattage allowed by the FCC ) flamethrower station covering northern California. It was the northern California cornerstone for the Bott Broadcasting Network. Life Matters with Brian Johnston gradually expanded to other Bott affiliates, then to the Wilkins Network, which is a nationwide Christian broadcast string of stations, and eventually was included on many stations of the Salem Radio Network. Life Matters is also broadcast on shortwave radio through Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Brian points out there are other Life Matters radio programs, the most notable a Life Matters program which is broadcast by Australian Broadcasting System, it is not related to Life Matters with BRIAN JOHNSTON. There are also smaller local shows that might share the name, “Life Matters.” They are usually, as in the case of one, a home and lifestyle program that focuses on home economics and day-to-day life (which is a good theme! It’s just not our theme!). Brian dedicates some time to the various sponsors of Life Matters, including Mike Lindell, the Pillow Guy (use promo code: LIFE); Car Easy which is a nationwide non-profit that will take your donated car, improve it and then share the proceeds with our work. Go to . Another important sponsor is the Life Fest Film Festival. Go to and you can view some of the latest creative submissions from new, as well as experienced filmmakers, making their way in the entertainment industry with positive, life-affirming films and programs. You can view at home. You don’t have to travel. You don’t have to rent a hotel or buy theater tickets. You can watch in the privacy of your own home. Hundreds of films are now available at .
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/29574593
info_outline
312: Red-Blue-Choice-Overturn
01/08/2024
312: Red-Blue-Choice-Overturn
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston examines the real implications of Roe v. Wade, the fact that language is being used to trick people into thinking that the abortion debate has been settled - when in fact, it is only just begun in seriousness. Brian examines how the media uses semantics and semiotics – the study of signs and symbolism - to confuse the American public. The issue of red state versus blue state is but one example of how symbols are presented as truth to the public. The blue, which originally represented the Republican party, was intentionally changed starting in 1980 so that Red would not be associated with the Democrats and their philosophy. Throughout the rest of the world, red has been associated with the principles of Communism and state control. If the media continued to announce that a Democrat victory was a victory for the Reds then people may begin associating the Democrat party with its actual ideas of statism: group division, group control, oppressor versus oppressed, and other principles outlined in revolutionary Socialism are aligned with Communism. Starting in 1980, John Chancellor and the dominant media officially declared the color of Democrats to be blue, contrary to its historically use as representing Republicans. Instead, NBC and all media declared that Republicans should be considered red and Democrats blue. This use of symbolism or semiotics is an intentional act on behalf of the media. But media manipulation goes much further, and usually they use simpler forms of semantics, bending meanings - that is, the bending of words to come to a different conclusion than they are implying. They imply their own neutrality, but are, in fact, directing listeners to very specific conclusion. The word, “choice” has been used in different ways so that listening people, if they want some kind of exception for hard cases on abortion, are told that they are pro-choice for those hard cases. But in political reality, what abortion advocates actually mean by “choice” is not to limit abortion, but to authorize unlimited abortion. ‘A woman doesn’t have to give a reason if she wants the abortion. She should simply be free to choose it.’ Abortions of healthy babies inside healthy mothers is the political result of that meaning of choice. The media will use the term interchangeably to convince normal people that they support the radical feminist view of “choice.” Finally, Dobbs itself as a decision has been declared to “ overturn Roe” but it really didn’t. It did not address Doe v. Bolton which made doctors, the abortionist a killer. It also made doctors the killing decision-makers. Doe v. Bolton made doctors violate the Hippocratic Oath. And the Doe v. Bolton decision was not overturned. Brian’s book, “Evil Twins: Roe and Doe, How the Supreme Court Unleashed Medical Killing,” is available online and also as an audiobook version on Amazon.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/29390753
info_outline
311: Life Film Fest international
12/23/2023
311: Life Film Fest international
Life Fest Film Festival is a very unique film festival from Hollywood California. Film festivals are an important part of the entertainment industry. This is where new filmmakers get their start and old filmmakers try out new ideas. Many film festivals are either geographically based, for example, Cannes, France or Park City and many are thematically based. Life Film Fest is an important aspect of the movie industry, and supported by many industry insiders, because of its unique and important message: the significance of each and every life, and in particular the seemingly insignificant life. We know that the Right To Life issue is facing an ideology which dismisses the value of individual lives. Many reasons or justifications are given to kill a young child in the womb or a newborn, a disabled person, or an elderly person. Anyone who is dependent on others can easily be dismissed if the law will not protect them. In today’s culture, there are many who do not care about the Right To Life. The reason for this is simple - they do not understand the significance and importance of each life. They are easily persuaded to dismiss the lives of others. By focusing on the uniqueness of the human person, and the extraordinary nature of life itself, the gift of life is honored in this unique film festival. Life Fest is now Life Fest international. It has submissions from throughout the world, can be viewed year-round through streaming into your home, and is supported by stellar industry insiders. Go to .
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/29166653
info_outline
310 - Euthanasia In Canada
12/20/2023
310 - Euthanasia In Canada
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explains the growing embrace of euthanasia in western culture. Listeners of Life Matters understand that the Right to Life debate is a debate about whether the law should allow the killing of innocent human lives. Today, after the impact of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, medical killing has become widespread in the United States and accepted under the law. This is not simply in the act of human abortion. Numerous states have legalized “Assisted suicide”. But understand that the emotions surrounding suicide can easily be addressed or even manipulated. The reason we have suicide hotlines is because the idea of taking one’s life is one of emotional despair. This despair, these emotions, can be addressed if we care for that human being. However, if we no longer wish to care for that human being, those emotions can just as easily be exploited. That human being can then be disposed of. In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston examines the rapid acceptance of euthanasia in Canada. Prior to 2016 it was illegal for doctors to intentionally kill their patients. But in 2016, using emotional arguments and misleading language, laws were passed allowing MAID (Medical assistance in dying), a euphemism for various forms of euthanasia. It was to ‘only be used’ for those who were truly dying of an incurable cancer and at death’s door. It was presented as simply relieving them of pain and suffering. But that quickly changed. Because Canada uses government-sponsored healthcare at every level, the idea of saving funds and being compassionate for many other lonely and suffering people has now been marketed to the Canadian people. Beginning in March 2023, it is now legal to kill a patient that has nothing physically wrong with them. If they are depressed, it is considered very ethical to simply take their life. This has not been a slippery slope. Commissioner Johnson points out it has been a precipice. As soon as you authorize doctors to be killers and remove the Hippocratic oath as a guideline for their actions, you have embraced a form of technical savagery. Vulnerable human beings are routinely killed, dismissed, and forgotten. The only way for this to be addressed is for this outlandish dismissal of our fellow human beings to be condemned clearly and loudly. In the meantime, should you or loved ones suffer depression, or suicidal thoughts it is up to us now to be involved in counseling and encouraging those who are in vulnerable situations. If you have loved ones in nursing homes, please be sure that they are not being over-medicated or being ignored. Depression and neglect are some of the most common problems in long-term care and nursing home situations. Once we culturally embrace killing those who are no longer actively involved in our life, we, as a culture, have stepped off of the precipice of civilization and into moral darkness.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/29166518
info_outline
309: The Real Meaning of the Dobbs Decision
12/03/2023
309: The Real Meaning of the Dobbs Decision
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston examines what is really at stake in the issue of the Dobbs Decision. Many pro-life individuals errantly believe that the Roe v. Wade decision started the abortion debate in the United States, and that somehow the Dobbs Decision has resolved the debate. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Dobbs Decision was an apology by the Supreme Court, that it should NEVER have entered into the realm of making laws. The Supreme Court itself violated the United States Constitution. And in the Dobbs Decision, the court apologizes and says that now, 50 years later, it’s actually only “up to the people themselves through their elected representatives,” to make law. This is an invitation to pro-life individuals to now be actively and passionately involved in their representative form of government, to work right now, to elect pro-life individuals to public office at every level of government. Brian reminds us that the constitution requires that each and every state must use this representative or republican form of government. Local city counties and state governments employ elected representatives. What the Supreme Court did in the Dobbs Decision was say, “We were wrong for 50 years. We’ve allowed abortion on demand, but it was really up to lawmakers to make laws and not us, and for citizens to elect lawmakers.” Brian also took extra time to talk about the need to help our fellow Americans, and especially younger folks who are educated into a vapid worldview, to help them understand that human life is valuable. The Life Fest film festival is dedicated to helping our culture reinforce, and understand the significance of each and every life, and in particular the seemingly insignificant life. Life Fest ’24 is currently viewing online and you can buy tickets at . From Thanksgiving through the end of December you can buy a complete season pass to view both this year and the coming season. Enjoy and support contributions of new filmmakers making creative films that underscore the significant importance of the seemingly insignificant life.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/28900828
info_outline
308: The Dobbs Decision Did NOT End The Abortion Debate!
12/01/2023
308: The Dobbs Decision Did NOT End The Abortion Debate!
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explores the recent elections and the losses of November 7, 2023. Those losses for pro-life Issues and candidates can be attributed directly to the Dobbs Decision. The Dobbs Decision was not understood by most pro-life individuals. The Dobbs Decision was not, in fact, a victory for the pro-life movement. It did not “overturn“ Roe versus Wade. It was the Supreme Court apologizing for Roe v. Wade, and saying it’s not going to get involved - that was it. “Let’s pretend that never happened. Now you voters can do whatever you want.” But that is not ‘overturning’. In fact, it is giving approval to the medical killing of children if so voted. But that was never the case before Roe. We have NOT ‘gone back to before Roe’ because doctors were following the Hippocratic Oath before Roe. They have not restored the legal or ethical standards of the Hippocratic Oath which is the key and essential violation of Roe and its conjoined decision Doe v Bolton. Dobbs was exactly the same as the Dred Scott Decision. The Dred Scott Decision was a Supreme Court decision that was expected to end the slavery debate. But, in fact, it did not. It made it worse. It allowed slavery to continue in slave states, but worse, it allowed slavery to be enforced in anti-slavery states! That’s right! The Dred Scott Decision said that pro-slavery advocates could come in to free states, grab runaway slaves, and bring them back to slavery. Dred Scott had asked to be declared ‘free’ because he had indeed escaped a slave state and was in a free state. The Supreme Court said, “No.” So under the Dobbs Decision, exactly the same legal standing has taken place. As Justice Kavanaugh put it, “The Supreme Court should never have ruled on abortion and will never again rule on abortion.” “We don’t want anything to do with this issue,” to paraphrase his concurrence. “If you want to kill babies go ahead. If you wanna protect babies, go ahead, but we will not debate this at the Court ever again.” If you pro-lifers understood the meaning and implications, they should be truly appalled at Dobbs Many still think that Roe somehow started the abortion debate, and the Dobbs somehow ends it. They are categorically wrong, and because if that have not been prepared for the battle at hand. They are walking in civic ignorance. In the second part of the program, Brian has good news and that is that Life Fest Film Festival is now available to be viewed anywhere in the world. You can view it on your computer screen at home or as many people now do, stream it onto your flatscreen television. There’s no need to fly to Hollywood to buy seats at the theater or stay in a hotel. It’s a film festival where excellent new film makers and experienced filmmakers can explore the issue of innocent human life, and the significance of each and every life. Lifefilmfest.com. Motion pictures have become the new literature of our culture. Visual storytelling is where most people get their feelings, emotions and ideas about what really matters in life. This storytelling is an important art. It’s what Jesus did - the Pharisees were religious. But Jesus told people stories to help them understand the truly deep underlying issues of life. And that’s what movies do. They tell important stories that impart knowledge and understanding in the most important things. When it comes to the right to life, the significance of even the seemingly insignificant life is an essential premise. So the good news is Life Fest can now be viewed on your home Screen! There are special discounts for listeners of Life Matters and you can buy gifts of screenings for any young people you may know who want to go into the film industry. That’s the purpose of Life Fest! It’s changing Hollywood and Hollywood is what impacts our culture. Lifefilmfest.com.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/28877238
info_outline
306: Are We Saving A Democracy or Saving a Republic?
09/26/2023
306: Are We Saving A Democracy or Saving a Republic?
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian focuses on the very specific nature of a very specific political party: the Democrat Party of the United States. He finishes with a comparative and contrastive look at the striking difference between a Democracy and a Republic. As an explanatory template, he uses a recent publication from a Democrat Party operative and New York Times contributor, Terry Golway. The book is, Machine Made; Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics. While Brian clearly disagrees with the principles and nature of Tammany Hall, he recommends the book itself as a valid expose, and an unflinching examination of machine or collectivist politics. It was mastered in New York City and spread through much of New York, and is continuing to this very day. Golway, himself, states that the corrupt society of Saint Tammany or "Tammany Hall", founded in 1786, is the template being employed by the modern Democrat Party today. Stuffing ballot boxes, blanketing precincts with empty ballots, collecting and completing them, absence of ballot signature verification, less than honest voting tabulation were all a regular part of the Tammany machine. Boss Tweed, one of its more notorious “bosses”, is perhaps the most infamous for gleefully celebrating his questionable methods, and eventually being exposed for obvious political corruption. Though caught, he was obviously less than penitent. Many famous names from American history, Roosevelt and LaGuardia, are now familiar to us because they spent considerable efforts in attempts to limit the corrupt influence of Tammany on the city and state of New York. When the Irish potato famine (1846-1852) drove millions to emigrate to the US, Tammany workers awaited them at the New York docks. Tammany "ward heelers" then knew where they lived and obliged them with employment if they could. All social and religious interests were accommodated and all accommodation came with political obligation. The machine was set. The resources of government and its influence would lubricate the machine. After exploiting the Irish immigrant population, Tammany spread its tentacles into the new Italian immigrant populace. Fiorello La Guardia was one who spoke out powerfully against the evils and corruption of racial exploitation, groupthink and machine politics as practiced by Tammany. Before him, Theodore Roosevelt sought and received an appointment as a police commissioner in New York City in 1895, specifically because Tammany used the authority of government, as embodied in the police, to enforce its policies. Roosevelt was tenacious and popular with the press, but largely ineffective. But because of his commitment to stand against corruption and the evil of Tammany, he "rose like a rocket" in New York politics. But Roosevelt could not finish the job. The Tammany machine has not gone away. It still exists. It has morphed into the backbone of New York politics. Its methods are openly used by the modern Democrat party, and Terry Golway’s, Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics. makes no bones about that.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/28150541
info_outline
304: Natural Law vs. Religious Law - Part 2
07/21/2023
304: Natural Law vs. Religious Law - Part 2
In the second part of our episode on natural law as a legal predicate, Brian explains at length why Christians should be the most comfortable with this idea - instead of insisting that their theology be the predicate for approaching the issue of life in America’s laws. Using raw political power to pass a measure that conforms with our religion is not actually an exercise in just law or a recognition of higher law. it is an acknowledgment that, “if we have the votes, we can pass this law“. What if a political group passes laws on this foundation? It is in essence, the exact predicate used by the Taliban or any other religious group throughout history. It is exactly what gave rise to many of the political disagreements in Europe in the centuries before America’s founding. Americas Founders did not invoke ‘natural law’ unintentionally. As most individuals who are involved in the right-to-life movement are of some Christian faith background, Brian takes an in-depth look at the Scriptures. They both explain, and in fact, command, this approach to viewing life and the law. God uses nature to instruct us. The Sermon on the Mount and its appeal to consider flowers, birds, and nature itself is at the heart of much of Christ’s teaching. His parables from everyday life stood in great contrast to the religious platitudes of the religious leaders who demanded that religious practices were the way to understand God. But the scriptures themselves indicate that there are deeper things at work. Romans 1:20 , “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” It is nature itself that proclaimed God‘s presence and nature, Gods higher law principles are made evident through the things that are seen. Psalm 8 and Psalm 19 make extensive reference to astronomy and how, for believers, it is actually presented as instruction in God’s nature and God‘s ways. However, very few take the time to “consider deeply” what they see when they see the stars. “Seeing” is not the same as understanding or contemplating, or “considering.” And it is these latter, contemplative verbs that are indeed used in scripture. As Jesus Himself made evident to the Pharisees, they did not live a practically applied spiritual life, they are pursuing religious precepts and traditions. “It is the traditions of men that make void the word of God.” Religion is stifling, and most people intuitively know that when they look at the religion of others. Being able to apply it to ourselves is the hardest part. Jesus was very explicit with His own followers, and is blunt in Luke 12:56 - 57. He pointed out that they could indeed recognize objective reality in nature and come to valid conclusions, and yet they were not taking the time to think more deeply about the spiritual challenges of their own time. “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret the present times? And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?“ It is critically important for the pro-life movement to understand its foundation in natural law, as instruction for us and for how we deal with others. It is also critically important for all Christians to understand their obligation to spend time with God and in the nature which He has created for us to help understand Him. It’s not that we need to be classical scientists, but we should examine closely God’s creatures in creation and contemplate, dwell on, think deeply about, how it impacts our day-to-day lives. In fact, the scripture seems to indicate that is one of the purposes of creation: and creation is waiting for us to do OUR job. “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.“ (Romans 8:19) There is little doubt that for us to come to better understanding of ANYTHING we must consider it deeply. Nowhere is that clearer than in natural law, and the right to life.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/27532926
info_outline
302: Identical Twins - Aren’t!!!!
07/07/2023
302: Identical Twins - Aren’t!!!!
In this extraordinary episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston explores the biological miracle of twinning. More to the point, he explains in detail how even identical twins are not identical. The twins can share exactly the same DNA, but God still makes each of us unique, even individual “identical twins.” The bottom line is that human beings are not merely naked apes or mammalian animals. Human beings are spiritual beings first and foremost. While there are some aspects of secular science that refuses to acknowledge a spiritual dimension to life, ironically, the physical sciences actually indicate there are deeper truths, higher laws, more profound principles at work behind the machinery of nature. These higher-law principles are the bedrock of Western Civilization. Brian uses an amazing weekend trip in which he actually met two sets of identical twins. With them, he took the time to review more of their “identical” nature. You’ll enjoy his story of the older boys, though identical twins, who are dramatically different in both height, manner and temperament. He also tells of meeting five-year-old twins while walking in his neighborhood. “I think this was more than a coincidence,” said Brian. Everything in life can tell you something. Our greatest challenge is learning how to hear and see and understand the opportunities presented to us. The miraculous illusion of identical twins has been a very instructive piece in the amazing jig-saw puzzle of life. Objective, physical science reinforces the uniqueness of each and every human life even amongst identical twins.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/27400440
info_outline
300: The Deeper Meaning of Dobbs
01/16/2023
300: The Deeper Meaning of Dobbs
In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston takes a straight-forward look into what the overrule of Roe v. Wade actually means for our nation and our state. He reads from the decision and cites several other matters of court precedent, including Doe v. Bolton. Johnston explains that not a single baby is protected in the language of the Dobbs decision. Instead, the Court simply apologizes and declares they will now let the American people again regulate abortion, and do so through their elected representatives. It restores that essential principle of the Republic: government of, by and for the people. But it does not restore all those laws it struck on Jan 22, 1973. It does not actually address the 50 years of killing or the many other harms that emanated from that day. The Dobbs decision clearly states the Court's regret with the extremist and inappropriate Roe v. Wade misadventures of January 22, 1973. On that day the Court overturned all state laws. The Court took upon itself the rule of legislators and superimposed its will on all the various legislative bodies. This was an unconstitutional act. But on June 24, 2022 the Court did not go back in time. The Court did not reinstate all of those laws that were in existence. The Court was very clear in Dobbs, that it was not going to create ANY new abortion laws in either direction - that was its initial problem. Creating law is not the job of the Court. Instead, the Dobbs decision has returned the duty of regulating abortion to the involvement of the citizens doing so through their elected representatives. This is the model of a constitutional republic, and is the premise of the American Constitution. What that means is if a legislative body decides to restrict abortion, theCourt is promising it will never again interfere with that right. In discussing Roe, the language of Justice Alito clearly parallels the same language of dissenting Justice Byron White in 1973. The superimposing will of the Court was an exercise in 'raw additional power,' and without any basis in law or logic. Alito is clear he would have joined the dissent in 1973. But he is also clear. This is no longer 1973. So what do we do now? Brian points out that the Dobbs decision is not specifically aimed at state representatives, but literally the people themselves who will regulate abortion through their elected representatives - so the principle can apply to Congress. It also can apply to local elected officials where those local officials deem it necessary to limit the involvement of the abortion industry in their respective jurisdictions. School boards are but one example that comes to mind. Brian raises a deeper issue. How is the pro-life movement now to win in this chess board battle of ideas and laws? He turns, of all places, to California. Californians, in fact, do not agree with the major media and the abortion industry when it comes to "choice" as meaning, unlimited abortion throughout all nine months, government funding of its promotion and underwriting, and the secret application of abortions to minors, whether they be from California or brought in from out of state. The California Rasmussen poll demonstrates the vast majority of Californians - as is the case in the rest of the nation, think that "choice” means very narrow limiting and control of abortion. Brian insists THIS is the opportunity that pro-lifers should avail of: invert the public's common misunderstanding and welcome their desire to limit abortions. The respected Rasmussen poll found that only 13% of likely California voters of both parties believe abortion should be legal at any time during pregnancy up to the moment of birth. Fourteen percent (14%) think abortion should be legal up to six months of pregnancy, while 32% say abortion should be legal up to three months of pregnancy. Nineteen percent (19%) believe abortion should only be legal during the first month of pregnancy, while 14% think all abortions should be illegal. Yes, Brian insists THIS is the opportunity that pro-lifers should avail of: invert the public's common misunderstanding and welcome their desire to limit abortions as understanding and being opposition to “choice". Once we welcome them as opponents of Planned Parenthood and abortion as a 'universal therapy,’ we can then focus on teaching them more. But we must get them in the door based on what they now DO believe! They oppose Choice abortion. That is a very, very good thing.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/25621653
info_outline
299: 2022 - The Year In Review
12/21/2022
299: 2022 - The Year In Review
The year 2022 was an extraordinary year for life. Roe versus Wade was overturned through the Dobbs decision of the United States Supreme Court. The Court was very clear, however, that it is a narrowly-drawn decision. Instead of doctors being the arbiters of when an abortion is appropriate (which was the conclusion of Roe and Doe), under Dobbs, “the regulation of abortion has been returned to the people themselves, through their elected representatives.” This decision underscores the work of the right to life movement and the overall obligation to elect pro-life representatives, wherever we wish to see unborn children protected under the law. The year 2022 also saw the worldwide premiere of the International Life Fest Film Festival. More than 600 films had been submitted from around the world. Less than 40 were selected for viewing. The film festival runs online from Thanksgiving through New Year’s day. Those with purchased tickets are free to vote on their favorite films at . Radio and podcast listeners have been extended a special 40% discount for their tickets. The films will run on any computer or smart phone and can be projected onto a smart TV to view on the large screen at home. 2023 holds great promise with a new Congress and pending dramatic shift in news. With the exposé of Twitter and Facebook, we are seeing a change in the tide. A biased media has been one of the greatest challenges to the RTL and newly opened opportunities in mass communications mean that the overturn of Roe is just the beginning of cultural restoration.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/25398627
info_outline
298: Interview From Life Fest Film Festival 2022
12/04/2022
298: Interview From Life Fest Film Festival 2022
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston conducts an interview with Laura Lehmus, a Finnish director, currently residing in Germany. This interview is part of a series, exploring the Life Fest Film Festival. Life Fest is that unique film festival, dedicated to honoring those films which underscore the significance of an innocent human life, and in particular the seemingly insignificant life. For 12 years, Life Fest has been conducted from Hollywood, California. It has drawn filmmakers from throughout the world, with productions from experienced hands but also brand new students of film. Its purpose is to give a vision, excitement, and definitive purpose to these aspiring filmmakers to continue on in this important theme, the actual theme of western civilization - the dignity of each and every life. This year’s Life Fest film festival is now available online and can be viewed at or accessed through the California Pro-Life Council webpage. Laura's is one of several films submitted in the foreign language category. “Sweet Disaster” is in German with English subtitles. It’s a very unique film dealing with a young woman who struggles as an immigrant in Berlin, facing an out of wedlock pregnancy. Her suitor rejects her and she is very much alone in a big, strange, and seemingly heartless world. She is over 40 and her rather low paying job fires her for not telling them of her pregnancy. Working with the developmentally disabled, she is an individual who is full of compassion and yet, appears to be abandoned by all others. In a simultaneously deep discussion of the storyline itself, weaved with an over arching view of the filmmaker’s challenges, they explore the seemingly tragic yet, simultaneously humorous storyline. It is Laura’s first feature film but she had some tremendous opportunities with a powerful leading cast, excellent cinematography, and one of the better known script writers of German cinema helping her. In this interview Brian and Laura explore the story and Laura explains some of her motivation in telling this particular tale. She was deeply honored to be chosen by Life Fest as we are a film festival that understood precisely her vision and purpose. This is just one film available in this year’s Life Fest catalog. More than thirty films from throughout the world -from first time teenage filmmakers to more mature and seasoned directors, each film aims to tell the uniqueness of a human life, a human life that others might view as ‘problematic’ and be all too ready to dismiss.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/25218264
info_outline
297: Elections and the Media: Fall 2022
11/28/2022
297: Elections and the Media: Fall 2022
This episode of Life Matters explores the net results of the 2022 elections. In particular, the challenge is the dominant media narrative that somehow the pro-life issue lost in 2022 when, in fact, quite the opposite took place. With the overturn of Roe v. Wade there were 12 states that passed pro-life legislation. In each of those states the signing governors were affirmed and reelected. It has been suggested that somehow pro-lifer‘s are physically involved in harming individuals, or destroying clinics but that has not been the case in the least. In fact, the FBI, in a notorious media generated stunt, did arrest a Christian family involved in only praying in front of abortion clinics. There’s no actual documentation of any physical harm brought by these individuals. Perhaps most tragically it has been crisis pregnancy centers that have been targeted with fire bombings and physical defacement and destruction. The stories have been covered in Life Matters earlier programs, and our hope is that these will come to an end. The pro-life movement is dedicated to passing laws that will protect the integrity of each human life, and in particular the innocent, vulnerable individuals routinely dismissed by an uncaring culture. It might be seen as uncomfortable to call our current culture dystopian. But given the incredibly pervasive cultural narrative which opposes the idea that the law should protect innocent and vulnerable human lives, one certainly sees the need to get information from a diversity of sources. Ideas have consequences. Getting real facts, and not merely politicized agendas, is vital for our ongoing freedoms.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/25153695
info_outline
296: Life Fest Film Festival 2022
11/16/2022
296: Life Fest Film Festival 2022
In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston gives a brief history of the Life Fest Film Festival which has been held in Hollywood, California for 12 years! This is the first of a special iteration of Life Fest which will be entirely visible from your home. All films and workshops, all breakout sessions will be available to you directly, and a special season pass is available for your viewing in the weeks after Thanksgiving. The program contains interviews with Vanna White, Kevin Sorbo, Clint Howard and others. This unique film festival allows aspiring filmmakers and ‘experienced hands’ in the industry to present their work to film watchers around the world. In this episode, Brian gives a brief overview of his experience in the entertainment industry, and his teaching experience of both literature and film. This special online film festival is unique in the world and allows many of these international film makers an opportunity to reach an otherwise unreachable audience. Some Iranian filmmakers and those who have been cut off from free-speech rights have submitted films. Perhaps most importantly, the theme of this unique festival is that it honors films that underscore the significance of each individual life and in particular, the seemingly insignificant life. It has brought a fresh hope to Hollywood and to the industry at large. Go to for season tickets to this extraordinary life affirming entertainment venue.
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/25038870
info_outline
295: The Further Down The Ballot, The Greater Your Voting Power
10/29/2022
295: The Further Down The Ballot, The Greater Your Voting Power
Every Life Matters episode makes itself applicable to the immediacy of the news and the times, but simultaneously, Mr. Johnston explains the times in their context. He underscores the evergreen and important principles that are needed in these times. This episode is the penultimate episode leading up to November elections, 2022. Brian underscores the many misunderstandings that pro-life individuals have come to, and how those misunderstandings, once clarified and then acted on, could have a dramatic impact on the nation. But this happens only through having a dramatic impact on one’s immediate community, their county, and their state. This is done through the lawmakers which they elect, and which represent each of those jurisdictions. The recent Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision, which nullified the Roe v. Wade decision, explicitly stated this principle. The authority to make abortion laws lies with each American citizen, and is done through their elected representatives. All of these down-ballot jurisdictions are representative of the federal representative form of government which we have inherited in the United States. On the national level, that representative government is manifest through the two houses of Congress. Most reportage of the moment rightly focuses in this election on the critical decisions in balance within the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. These are essential political battles. But without understanding the principles employed there, and how these representatives are hired at each election, the lack of clarity in civics has brought great harm to the pro-life movement. Many efforts made by earnest pro-life individuals don’t actually accomplish a change in the laws. Activity is not the same as accomplishment. This specific episode equips Christians of all backgrounds and denominations and even non-Christians in the pro-life movement, with an understanding of appropriate civic actions. These election activities are not arbitrary. They lead to legal accomplishment by lawmakers on behalf of the vulnerable innocent child and of all vulnerable innocent human lives. Brian quotes from Dr. Dobson’s, “Family Talk” program of a previous week. In it, Dr. Dobson bemoans the fact that in presidential elections, 25 million Evangelicals don’t even register to vote nationwide. But it gets worse. In every general election, 65 million Evangelical voters will admit they will vote but they will not vote down the ballot and will leave blank whole sections of their ballot in what is known as down ballot races. The 65 million American Evangelicals are disproportionately very, very pro-life. Amazingly, the power of their vote is disproportionately more powerful in down ballot races. This power is because in a state wide race - for example California - typically 4 to 8,000,000 ballots can be cast (sometimes more!) The difference of say 50 votes from one particular church in Pomona, California is mathematically a drop in a very, very large ocean. But as you descend down the ballot, (just as the properties of a nitrogen gas bubble expand the further down you descend), the value in properties of that ballot expand exponentially. California has 52 congressional districts - your vote is 52 times more impactful for your Congressional candidate than it is for a state-wide candidate. But continue down into the depths of civics. As you go down to the very local level, those 50 votes are exponentially huge in the city of Pomona and further down in the separately segregated geographic portion of Pomona that’s known as a school district. But go further. Go down to District 5 of the school district board. That church in Pomona is in that district. Those 50 votes are now absolutely dispositive. They will help determine the disposition of that election and many school board candidates are elected by much, much smaller margins than 50 votes That same ballot being cast by you has exponentially more power in speaking to your representatives as the Dobbs vs. Jackson decision directed. Your voice is exponentially more powerful in your Congressional district and down to your very local community than it is state wide. So this is the reason in federal and state elections that it is critically important to work with a comprehensive pro-life team in civics. National Right to Life is the team of diverse pro-lifer’s. National Right Life PAC and its state affiliate pacs, allow your vote to have a great power on the state and federal level. Your efforts with your local pro-life chapter has incredible power - expansive nitrogen bubble expansion - at the great depths of your local school board. Your same vote has devastating impact in the fight to keep abortion advocates out of your local schools (I, of course, speak metaphorically and urge you to consider these things deeply and as you ascend make sure you decompress, taking this knowledge with you. When you reach the surface please be natural about it. Go out and vote and vote with your local pro-life community.) California Prolife and many of the affiliates of National Right to Life Committee provide an important voter information tool. Historically, these were paper voter guides. But with the advancement in technology and the vast numbers of local candidates, the new allows any citizen in the state of California to download their mailing address where they receive their ballot and every pro-life candidate and issue on their local precinct ballot is presented. When pro-lifers vote pro-life, down the entire ballot, they change their communities, they change their counties, they change their members of Congress, they change their states. Again, this tool is available at the California Prolife website , at the specific url , and national information directing you to each and every state affiliate is available at .
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/24841695
info_outline
294: Your Vote Can Make Laws - The Supreme Court Must NOT
10/22/2022
294: Your Vote Can Make Laws - The Supreme Court Must NOT
Each and every Life Matters podcast is designed to equip listeners for very specific and detailed understanding of particular aspects of the fight to protect innocent lives. This episode of Life Matters, recorded in October 2022, addresses itself to a very specific and ongoing issue in this fight for life. It focuses on the election coming to an end on November 8th. It gives a much deeper, detailed explanation and understanding of the significance of this and future elections when it comes to ending abortion and the much larger issue of protecting all innocent life from medical killing. The utilitarian use of medicine - medical abortions - is perhaps the most evil aspect of what the Roe v. Wade decision actually brought to America. The abortion aspect was the only aspect addressed in the Dobbs decision of June, 2022. Mr. Johnston begins by giving an overview of the elections in California and nationwide. He reminds listeners that our electoral system has been dramatically changed under Democrat party policies. Historically, November 8th would be election day, and all those with the privilege of voting would cast their ballot on that day. To accommodate those unable to cast their ballot that day, a system has long been in place known as absentee balloting. But throughout America’s history the use of such absentee balloting has been extremely and closely monitored. There’s a universal agreement by those concerned about the changes in election patterns of the last decade that the abuse of the absentee ballot has led to many mysterious and unaccountable ballots being cast. This alteration of America’s voting patterns and voting laws was further changed during the COVID-19 worldwide epidemic. Many governments addressed the virus in many different ways. In the United States, it was used to dramatically alter the use of absentee ballots and other forms of balloting. Brian, speaking from direct experience within California elections over the last 40 years and experiences with elections in the English speaking world (UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand), warns that America must return - in order to preserve the nature of its government - to its constitutional form of electing its government. The new election procedures have allowed unconstitutional premises to be the basis of the vote and thus of the laws emanating from those elected. The Constitution of the United States is what has in fact allowed the protection of the rights which American citizens are promised. The first and foremost of these rights is the right of the innocent to live. Brian drills down deeply on the immediate application of these principles. He dedicates a portion of the program to the reemergence in California of Pro-life Democrats. It is crossover Democrats, historically, that have elected all pro-life legislators even in California, Ronald Reagan being the most shining example. But the influence of an effective and pointedly directed, pro-life Democrat effort greatly alters the outcome of elections because there are many, many people who have remained registered democrats (Roman Catholics, union members, and many others). They prefer the pro-life position yet have felt compelled by social or cultural background to be registered in the Democrat party. This registration differential must be understood and clarifying principles applied. This year’s emergence of a national pro-life Democrat effort that instead of merely going along with the party and raising pro-life signs, attacks pro abortion advocates within their party for exactly what they are doing. These new Pro-life Democrats are not silent even when asked to be silent. As Ronald Reagan said, “I did not leave the Democrat party - the Democrat party left me.” As important as they are for this election, Brian has promised an entire program dedicated to how California pro-life Democrats and nationally pro-life Democrats can be much, much more effective. Brian goes on to explain that even in California, Democrats support for unlimited abortion is extremely rare. The recent Rasmussen Poll of California voters indicates that a very small proportion of such voters actually support the idea of unlimited abortion throughout pregnancy (13%). These numbers almost perfectly reflect the actual disposition of normal Americans across the nation. In his book, , Brian had cited both the Marist poll of 2021 and the Gallup poll. Their detailed analysis revealed almost exactly the same thing nationally. Approximately 12 to 13% of Americans want to ban all abortions and approximately 12 to 13% want to embrace all abortions. The vast majority find themselves defining their support based on the age of a child whether it be in three months or six months etc., or often because of very, very special and unusual circumstances (rape, incest, life of the mother, severe field deformities…). These Americans would like to see some kind of restrictions on unlimited abortion and a balancing of rights so that the child is given some legal consideration under the law. The average use of “pro-choice” in the Democrat party’s and in the media’s lexicon means “abortion should be allowed without having to give a reason, allowed at any time simply because it has been chosen.” As a literature instructor, Shakespearian actor, and communications practitioner (writing, film television and radio), Brian is well aware that the electoral process is merely the culminating decision of other thought processes in the battle of ideas. All Americans, and all human beings for that matter, are facing these critical ideas. A portion of the episode is dedicated to reminding people of Life Fest Film Festival now in its 12th year. The film festival will release after the election and be available worldwide instead of just in Hollywood and Park City, Utah. It will be available for viewers to participate online, to view films and vote on them, to attend workshops, and to be involved in one of the most significant culture-changing film festivals of the entertainment industry. Information on elections in California are available at or national elections at and information on the coming Life Fest Film Festival at .
/episode/index/show/lifematterspod/id/24767496