The Latter Day Lens

• Episode 117: Faith in a Fractured World: Misinformation, Politics & Divine Guidance Today

  Send us a textThis week, hosts Shawn, Matt, and Marc delve into some thought-provoking questions ripped straight from the headlines!Topic 1: The Weaponization of MisinformationIn a recent talk at Harvard, Pete Buttigieg painted a stark picture of misinformation, characterizing it as a weapon more devastating than nuclear arms in its ability to fracture American society. He highlighted Russia's strategy of simultaneously promoting contradictory messages to sow division rather than advocate for specific viewpoints. Buttigieg argued that technological advancements have paradoxically led to a state where we have "never had more information and we've never been less informed," as traditional evidence verification methods are undermined. If misinformation is indeed being weaponized by our adversaries, what are the most effective strategies to combat its spread and rebuild trust in reliable information?Topic 2: DOGE: Efficiency or Favoritism?Our resident DOGE enthusiast, Shawn, often champions the idea that the "Deep Office of Governmental Efficiency" (DOGE) is streamlining government and reducing fraud and waste. However, Pete Buttigieg offers a contrasting view arguing it's more about power consolidation than actual efficiency. He explains that rather than methodically evaluating program effectiveness or employee performance, DOGE simply fires people categorized as "probationary" without proper assessment. DOGE lacks the time or process for proper evaluation, making decisions based on White House favor rather than merit. In addition, a Senate report suggests that DOGE cuts could help Elon Musk companies avoid $2 billion in liabilities. DOGE doesn't really provide links to verify claims they make about how much money they have saved, but BBC news tried to figure out the savings from DOGE. Is DOGE truly focused on reducing fraud and waste, or is it primarily serving as a tool to consolidate power and potentially benefit influential figures like Elon Musk by helping his companies circumvent regulatory costs?Topic 3: Trump's Presidential ProfitsTrump may not be taking a salary, but he is getting richer from his service as president. Since taking office in January 2025, his $Trump meme coin cryptocurrency surged 70% after he promised exclusive presidential access for its largest investors at his golf club, with the tokens now valued at $2.5 billion. Meanwhile, his record-breaking $239 million inaugural fundraising drew unprecedented corporate donations seeking influence. Furthermore, he's issued executive orders establishing cryptocurrency regulations and reserves. These post-inauguration ventures represent concerning entanglements where presidential power is being directly converted into personal financial gain through the explicit pricing of access to the president himself. What would the founding fathers think about this kind of behavior?Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome02:05 Listener Engagement and Feedback05:01 Discussion on Pete Buttigieg's Policies09:03 Misinformation as a Weapon18:22 Connecting to Combat Misinformation19:14 Debate on Doge and Government Efficiency24:36 Government Accountability and Transparency29:58 The Role of Appointees in Government34:02 Presidential Influence and Financial Gain40:57 Divine Guidance and Mo

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• Episode 116: White Collar Crime, Taxes, Trump's First 100 Days: A Provocative Discussion

  Send us a textJoin hosts Matt, Shawn, and Melanie for a deep dive into the week's most pressing and thought-provoking issues! In this episode, they tackle the controversial shifts in white-collar crime enforcement, including foreign bribery, public corruption, money laundering, and the impact of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Matt, Shawn, and Melanie debate the morality of prioritizing crimes with clear victims and whether all offenses deserve equal punishment. Plus, they analyze the latest Gallup poll on American taxpayers' sentiment regarding their federal income tax burden and question if historical tax rates should be revisited. Finally, the team dissects a Fox News survey assessing President Trump's first 100 days of his second term, covering his approval ratings on border security, inflation, and overall job performance. Their "Big Question" explores the ethical implications of wealth distribution upon death, inspired by Tony Hsieh's estate and his "wow" factor gifting plan. Tune in for insightful analysis and engaging debate with Matt, Shawn, and Melanie on these critical topics shaping our world. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:59 Competitive Authoritarianism in the U.S.08:00 Shifts in White Collar Crime Enforcement15:53 Taxation and Morality in America28:09 Government vs. Church in Helping the Poor29:55 Trump's First 100 Days: Approval Ratings and Public Perception41:10 Inheritance and Wealth Distribution: A Moral Dilemma

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• Episode 115: Biden Better on the Border than Trump, Mormon Views on the Pope, App Control, Lottery Wins, & Money Dysphoria

  Send us a textIn this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt and Shawn delve into various topics including the contrasting deportation rates under Presidents Biden and Trump, the significance of the Pope's death, and the political dynamics involved in church leadership. They also discuss Utah's recent App Store Accountability Act aimed at protecting children online. The conversation highlights the complexities of immigration statistics, the role of the Pope in Christianity, and the balance between government regulation and free market principles. In this conversation, Matt and Shawn delve into the complexities of data privacy, the role of social media in shaping perceptions of wealth, and the ethical implications of gambling strategies. They discuss the challenges parents face in monitoring their children's online activities and the psychological effects of social media on self-worth, particularly the phenomenon of money dysphoria. The dialogue emphasizes the need for awareness and proactive measures in navigating the digital landscape.Topic 2: Utah recently passed a law called The App Store Accountability Act. It would make app stores give apps real age ratings. It would also stop kids from making deals to buying or downloading apps without their parents' okay—like how things work in the real world. And it would let parents sue if apps lie and hurt their kids. IS this a good idea or government overreach?Topic 3: Bernard Marantelli and his partners planned to buy almost every lottery ticket to win a huge jackpot in Texas. They usually use math and data, like Wall Street investors, to find good betting chances and win a lot of money each year. Their Texas lottery plan worked, and they won millions, but it made many people angry, with one politician calling it a huge "theft" from the state. They did not break any laws. Is this clever behavior that should be rewarded, or underhanded theft?The Big Question:  Seeing endless posts of fancy lifestyles on social media can create money dysphoria when the news talks about economic worries. It makes young people question how others afford such things, leading to feelings of inadequacy. One person in marketing notices many tempting online purchases while everyone else discusses financial hardship, highlighting this disconnect. This constant exposure to seemingly lavish lifestyles contributes to money dysphoria and can sometimes lead to impulsive spending followed by guilt as young people struggle to reconcile their own financial reality with curated online portrayals. The big Question, is money dysphoria some kind of mental disorder, or is it just a fancy word for the love of money, which is the root of all evil?Chapters00:00 Introduction and Listener Feedback01:51 Deportation Rates: Biden vs. Trump05:05 The Impact of the Pope's Death09:49 Politics in Church Leadership16:03 Utah's App Store Accountability Act20:28 The Dilemma of Data Privacy23:50 Parental Control in the Digital Age26:36 Clever Gambling Strategies and Ethics34:10 Money Dysphoria: The Impact of Social Media on Self-Worth

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• Episode 114: Oligarchy, ProPublica's Prophecy, a Lost Deportee, and the IVF Parenthood Question

  Send us a textIn this episode, Shawn, Matt, & Marc engage in a lively discussion covering various topics. They dive headfirst into the murky waters of corruption, questioning if all forms are equally damaging, sparked by AOC's critique of fellow Democrats and the broader issue of politicians profiting in office. The conversation then shifts to a chilling look at a Trump advisor's pre-election promise to make civil servants "miserable," examining ProPublica's prophetic reporting and its implications. The hosts also grapple with a disturbing case where the US government seemingly lost track of an individual the Supreme Court ordered to be returned to the country. Finally, they tackle a deeply profound and ethically complex situation arising from an IVF clinic's devastating embryo mix-up, forcing a re-evaluation of the very definition of parenthood.The Thought Provoker:Topic 1: Lots of people who are worried about corruption, insider trading, and oligarchy support politicians who get rich while they are in office. Shawn sometimes talks like they are all the same thing. Are they all equally bad?Topic 2: In late October, ProPublica published one of its most prophetic stories in their history. They explained how a key Trump adviser said a Trump administration will seek to make civil servants miserable in their jobs. Before the election, many Trump voters dismissed this as hyperbole from the left. Do you agree that ProPublica was prophetic? Should we all pay more attention to their reporting?Topic 3: The Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration had to help a man, wrongly deported to a dangerous El Salvador prison, return to the U.S. Despite the Supreme Court ordering his return, a U.S. government lawyercouldn't tell a judge where Kilmar Abrego Garcia was. The judge found it deeply concerning that the government didn't know the location of someone they were supposed to bring back. What should the Trump Administration do?The Big Question: A shocking case in Australia raises a profound question about parenthood: after an IVF clinic mistakenly implanted the wrong embryo, a woman gave birth to a child genetically belonging to another couple. The discovery, made when the clinic found an extra embryo, leaves everyone involved in a deeply challenging situation. This unprecedented event forces us to consider: in such circumstances, who are the true parents of the child? Is parenthood defined by genetics, or by the experience of carrying and giving birth?Chapters00:00 Introduction and Listener Mailbag03:03 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Employment06:08 Government Obligations and College Funding09:00 Corruption and Insider Trading in Politics12:01 Oligarchy vs. Democracy: A Political Debate15:00 The Role of Wealth in Politics18:01 Prophetic Reporting and Government Transparency24:19 Navigating Employment Challenges in Government30:10 The Role of Media in Government Accountability38:24 Defining Parenthood: Genetics vs. Experience48:30 Agency and Decision-Making in Complex Situations

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• Episode 113: Police Training Gaps, CBT for Crime Reduction, Trump's Tariffs, and Four Strains of LDS Thought

  Send us a textWe experienced some technical difficulties this week ...please be patient with the broadcast.Welcome to Latter-day Lens with Shawn, Levi, and Matt! This week, we're tackling some heavy hitters that touch our communities and our faith. From tragic gaps in law enforcement training and the debate around talk therapy's place, to Trump's controversial trade tactics and a provocative look at different 'types' of thinking within Church leadership – buckle up!(00:00) Introduction with Shawn, Levi, & MattThoughts on General Conference(08:00) Topic 1: Unprepared? Police, Autism, and Tragic ConsequencesWe discuss the heartbreaking case of Eric Parsa and the systemic issues it reveals.Despite disabilities factoring into potentially half of police killings, specialized training is lacking in most states.Discussion (Shawn leads): Are police being asked to do too much without the right tools? How does our community understanding (or misunderstanding) of disability intersect with public safety and accountability?(20:30) Topic 2: Therapy vs. The Gospel? Levi Tackles Talk Therapy & CrimeLevi explores the evidence: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) does seem to reduce crime.But where does talk therapy fit with faith? Some LDS members (like Levi's upbringing) express apprehension.Discussion (Levi leads): Does talk therapy work? Is it compatible with the restored gospel? Should the government step in to make it more accessible, and what are the implications?(29:50) Topic 3: Trump's Tariff Math: Genius Strategy or Economic Myth?Breaking down President Trump's aggressive tariff formula targeting trade deficits.Is a trade deficit really a sign of weakness? We explore how deficits can actually benefit the US economy (affordable goods, high-value sector focus, attracting investment).A quick look at the history: How did Presidents gain so much tariff power from Congress?Discussion (Matt leads): Is Trump fixing a non-existent problem? What are the real-world impacts of these tariffs versus the stated goals?(44:04) The Big Question: Effort, Law, Grace, Community – Four LDS 'Churches'?We dive into historian Matthew Bowman's intriguing op-ed categorizing LDS leadership thought into four strains: Effort (Nelson), Natural Law (Oaks), Grace (Freeman), and Community (Gong).A brief look at the core ideas and representatives of each "ideal type."Discussion (All Hosts): Is this framework useful or just academic hair-splitting? Does it accurately reflect different emphases you see? Which resonates most, and can they coexist healthily?(53:30) Final Thoughts & Get In Touch!What stood out to you? Let Shawn, Levi, and Matt know your perspective!Subscribe to Latter-day Lens wherever you listen!Rate & Review us – it helps others find the conversation.

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