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The Latter Day Lens

Shawn & Matt

151 episodes

1 week ago

Send us a text Announcements No new episodes through December 2025—Episode 150 drops January 2026. Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music feeds are experiencing technical issues. Follow Matt on Instagram during the break. Topics Young Men's Advisory Board: The newly announced Young Men's Advisory Board is notable because five of its fourteen volunteer advisors are public influencers, signaling a potential shift toward valuing digital communication expertise in Church leadership. Federalism in Churc...

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Society & Culture

Religion & Spirituality,

All content for The Latter Day Lens is the property of Shawn & Matt and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send us a text Announcements No new episodes through December 2025—Episode 150 drops January 2026. Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music feeds are experiencing technical issues. Follow Matt on Instagram during the break. Topics Young Men's Advisory Board: The newly announced Young Men's Advisory Board is notable because five of its fourteen volunteer advisors are public influencers, signaling a potential shift toward valuing digital communication expertise in Church leadership. Federalism in Churc...

Show more...

Society & Culture

Religion & Spirituality,

Episodes (20/151)

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 149: Church Influencers, State Rights, and the Labels That Divide Us

Send us a text Announcements No new episodes through December 2025—Episode 150 drops January 2026. Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music feeds are experiencing technical issues. Follow Matt on Instagram during the break. Topics Young Men's Advisory Board: The newly announced Young Men's Advisory Board is notable because five of its fourteen volunteer advisors are public influencers, signaling a potential shift toward valuing digital communication expertise in Church leadership. Federalism in Churc...

2 weeks ago

48 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 148: Abolish the FDA? The Radical Free Market Healthcare Fix & The "False Gods" of the US Military

Send us a text Matt’s got a Christmas tree, a Lenin bust, and a bunch of books and maps in his office. Shawn has buckwheat, stockings, and very strong opinions. In this episode, the Latter Day Lens mailbag explodes and drags us into some uncomfortable but important questions about what Latter-day Saints really worship and trust. We wrestle with: Why so many women say they’d rather raise kids in Europe than in the U.S. (paid maternity leave, food, breastfeeding norms) — and whether “if you don...

3 weeks ago

54 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 147: US Religious Decline: Is America Becoming Like Europe? Political Power, Women's Distrust in American Democracy, and Wicked's Good vs. Evil

Send us a text Faith and Exceptionalism (03:21) The US is becoming less religious, but Matt and Shawn debate if this signals secular decline or a unique American shift. Shifting Faith: Matt argues the decline of mainline Protestantism is due to its alignment with politics. He notes the growth of the Latter-day Saint Church and other faiths as people seek "pure religion," suggesting an "American exceptionalism" where religious freedom fosters a marketplace of faith. Awakening: Shawn challenges...

1 month ago

50 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 146: Should Governments Sell Land, MTG Retires from Congress, CDC Website Changes, The CIA's Secret Studies on Persuasion

Send us a text The Thought Provoker: First this week. Idaho's government voted to sell 160 acres of state land near the town of Driggs. The land is currently leased to the Beard family, who use it for ranching. A billionaire owns land next to this property and may want to buy it. The Land Board voted 4-1 to move forward with the sale. Is it morally wrong for states to sell public land to the highest bidder? Next up, Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced that she is leaving Congress, what does ...

1 month ago

53 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 145: Why Republicans Are in Trouble: Plus, The Debt Bomb and America's Biased Immigration Policy

Send us a text In this packed episode, Matt and Shawn dive into the latest political and moral challenges facing the nation: The Republican Crisis: The conversation starts by analyzing the troubling election results for the Republican party and the unexpected demographic shifts moving away from Donald Trump. We discuss why Utah and Idaho remain the biggest exceptions to this trend, debating whether it's tied to regional economics or a deeper, post-assassination-attempt loyalty.The Immorality ...

1 month ago

54 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 144: Freedom, Power, and the Price of Morality: Is Hinckley's Debt Advice Outdated?

Send us a text Join hosts Matt, Shawn, and Melanie as they dive into complex, interconnected themes of freedom, power dynamics, and the difficult relationship between morality and economics. The conversation starts by challenging the idea that freedom is simply the "power to make choices," drawing on the philosophy of Victor Frankl to discuss the unchangeable freedom of response that exists even in the most oppressive circumstances. The Economics of Immorality: The hosts examine the historica...

1 month ago

59 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 143: AI's Spiritual Skeptics, Epstein & the Royal Crown, Charlie Kirk's Shooter vs Ben Lomond High School Shooter

Send us a text Welcome back to the Latter Day Lens! This week, hosts Matt and Shawn are joined by Marc to tackle pressing questions at the intersection of faith, economics, and emerging technology. We dive into the listener mailbag to explore the concept of Consecrationism—the idea that a perfect system requires people to willingly share their property and excess—and whether it represents a "third way" that addresses the moral failings of Socialism and Capitalism. The discussion heats up wi...

2 months ago

40 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 142: Islamophobia in New York, Zohran Mamdani's Socialism, A Record-Setting Grand Teton climb, and Trump's Pardons

Send us a text In this conversation, Matt and Shawn explore various themes including sibling dynamics, communication styles, the ethics of gambling, cultural perspectives on Islamophobia, and the moral implications of socialism versus capitalism. They also discuss the role of justice and mercy in the legal system, particularly in relation to presidential pardons and political loyalty. The Thought Provoker: First this week, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani delivered an emotional speec...

2 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 141: The Latter Day Almanac: President Oaks' Politics, Homan's Bribery Scandal, and the Science of the Soul

Send us a text In this episode, the Shawn, Levi & Matt discuss a range of topics including peaceful protests, the role of church leaders in political matters, the influence of the church on political views, and the concept of mobilization in revolutions. They also delve into the ethics of prediction markets, the nature of bribery in politics, and the intersection of science and spirituality, particularly focusing on the idea that all spirit is matter and the implications of dark matter in...

2 months ago

55 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 140: The Antichrist, Argentina's Bailout, and the Inevitable War

Send us a text Hosts Matt and Shawn go one-on-one this week for a deep dive into global hot topics, a passionate debate on economic policy, and a philosophical search for truth. They start by reading a listener letter that perfectly sums up their conversational dynamic—sometimes frustrating, always engaging, and never boring! 🎙️ In This Episode: (00:34) Listener Feedback & The Matt Phenomenon: The hosts discuss a letter from a listener who admits they "frequently found [themselves] yellin...

2 months ago

57 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 139: Polygamy in Eternity, General Conference Insights, Betting Markets, Is Trump a Socialist?

Send us a text This week on Latter-day Lens, join Matt, Shawn, and Marc as they dive into a thought-provoking listener mailbag question: Is polygamy an eternal principle 💍 within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? The hosts wrestle with interpretations of Doctrine and Covenants 132, the sealing power, and the historical pattern of one man and one woman in scripture, challenging common assumptions about life in the celestial kingdom. General Conference & Agency 🙏 The conver...

2 months ago

43 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 138: Conference Predictions, Right-Wing Feminism, UDOT's Land Grab, Taylor Swift's Genius, and the Polygamy Question

Send us a text This week, join the exceptionally fun trio of Shawn, Melanie, and Matt as they tackle some of the most compelling, and at times controversial, issues of our time! You won't want to miss their lively discussion on why some women choose a right-wing feminist strategy for survival, whether UDOT's use of eminent domain to build the FrontRunner 2X is morally justified, and if the critique that disliking Taylor Swift's music is sexist holds any water. Finally, they dive into the big ...

3 months ago

53 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 137: AI's White Collar Armageddon, Is It Okay To Get Fired For Your Opinions, and Is the D&C Racist?

Send us a text In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and David, begin with some casual banter before diving into the main topics. Matt shares listener feedback, including a critique of his political views and a listener's interest in Shawn's career. This leads to a debate about whether a public school teacher should be fired for their personal opinions on social media, especially if they are government employees. Next, the conversation shifts to Artificial Intelligence (AI). They discuss a prediction...

3 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 136: RFK Jr.: Integrity or Sellout?, Kamala Harris's Critique of Biden, Appropriate Response to Political Anger, Rise of Depression Diagnoses in the US

Send us a text Summary In this episode, the Shawn, Porter, and Matt discuss various political and social issues, including Project 2025, the Alcohol Intake and Health Study, RFK Jr.'s political integrity, Kamala Harris's critique of Biden, public outrage over judicial decisions, and the rising rates of depression among young Americans. They emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying causes of these issues and the role of faith and personal responsibility in addressing them. The...

3 months ago

57 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 135: The American Dream, Unequal Responses to Tragedy, Trump's Use of Power, We Love Those Who Praise Us

Send us a text In this episode, the Shawn, Matt & Levi discuss various themes including the importance of friendships, the concept of the American dream and exceptionalism, the response to loss of life in legislation, the influence of Trump's presidency on personal wealth, and the nature of government and leadership. They explore how societal values shape responses to tragedy and the moral implications of political actions. First this week. A recent poll shows that Americans are losing fa...

3 months ago

58 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 134: Trump, Flag Burning, the Success of Socialism in Spain, and the Decline of Christianity in the United States

Send us a text This week on The Latter-day Lens, join your host Matt, with co-host Shawn and special guest Linda, as they tackle a series of thought-provoking questions. The discussion kicks off with President Trump's stance on flag burning and its legal and moral implications in the context of the First Amendment. The hosts then pivot to an analysis of Spain's recent economic boom under a socialist government, examining whether this challenges traditional views on capitalism and socialism. T...

4 months ago

47 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 133: The Brotherhood Crisis: Are Men Morally Obligated to Make Friends?

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of The Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and newly-called Elders Quorum President Marc tackle some of today's most pressing questions about masculinity, friendship, and faith. The Friendship Imperative The conversation begins with a listener's observation about the importance of truly knowing individuals in church leadership rather than focusing solely on programs and numbers. This leads to a deeper discussion about whether men have a moral a...

4 months ago

51 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 132: Zipper Merging, Arresting Putin, the Intel Socialism Debate, and the Need for Male Mentors

Send us a text Welcome to The Latter-day Lens! In this week's episode, hosts Shawn, Matt, and Graham tackle some of the most pressing questions from the mailbag and beyond. Info on the Zipper Merge The Thought Provoker: First this week: A recent survey shows that only 40% of Americans would like their child to attend a four-year college right out of high school. More Americans would like their child to “take some time off” (13%) than would like them to join the military (5%) or join the...

4 months ago

48 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 131: Is the Second Coming Imminent? Russia, the Economy, and Latter-day Prophecy

Send us a text In this episode, hosts Shawn, Matt, & Melanie are back together and jump right into a thought-provoking mailbag question about the podcast's "most listened to" status. Matt backs up the claim with some surprising metrics, and the hosts share their differing views on promoting the show. They then dive into three major topics: Russia: The hosts discuss a Russian journalist's argument that Putin may be overconfident, and pose a question: Is a Third World War or an internal Rus...

4 months ago

45 minutes

The Latter Day Lens

Episode 130: The Agency of AI, the Morality of Medical Debt Reporting, & Loneliness in Zion

Send us a text In this episode, the Shawn, Matt, & Porter discuss various topics including the role of AI in communication, medical debt, and the loneliness crisis in Utah. First up: AI is changing the way that people speak. Researchers analyzed 280,000 YouTube videos from academic channels and found that in the 18 months since ChatGPT was released speakers are using words favored by the chatbot (like delve, realm, and adept) 51% more frequently and they are using other words less frequen...

5 months ago

1 hour