What Happened to the First 6 Factions of Mormonism

In this lively, thoughtful, and often humorous episode, Cardon Ellis and Brad welcome Christopher Blyth, a folklore professor at BYU and expert on Mormon history, to explore the splintering of early Mormonism following Joseph Smith's death—often called the “succession crisis.”The episode dives deep into the aftermath of Joseph Smith’s assassination, when multiple leaders and groups claimed to be the rightful continuation of his church. Christopher Blyth describes how the church “atomized,” resulting in a variety of sects, many of which still exist in some form today.

Cardon Ellis kicks off by highlighting how gender dynamics within the church have become highly skewed, pointing out how feminist influences from past decades have seeped into religious culture, sometimes causing men to feel corrected while women go unchecked. He voices frustration about how philosophical discussions on gender are often less nuanced than those on other community concerns like criminal justice or gun control.Hayden Holm shares personal experiences and critiques the “happy wife, happy life” mantra, explaining that it turns a marriage into an unhealthy dynamic: men end up repressing their own feelings for years, leading to resentment and passive-aggressive behaviors, while wives are left unchecked, sometimes developing entitled attitudes (“rise of the Karens”).

Cardon Ellis hosts a lively discussion with Joe, Drew, and Austin Falter centered around the provocative title, “Do Not Let Instagram Commenters Gaslight You.” The conversation springs from the frequent intensity—and sometimes misinformation—in the Instagram comment sections on LDS (Latter-day Saint) topics, especially when controversial issues are involved.Joe highlights how negative or “rage-bait” comments often overshadow positive ones, sometimes left uncontested, creating a challenging environment for believers and truth-seekers alike. The group examines a specific video about the witnesses of the Mormon golden plates, diving into both the supportive and critical comments it received.

Cardon Ellis and Brittany Ellis, joined by the charismatic guest Elder TikTok, dive deep into the richness of Polynesian culture, especially its close-knit connection to the LDS (Latter-day Saint) community. The conversation buzzes with stories, laughter, and genuine admiration for Polynesian heritage, celebrity, and community spirit.The episode kicks off with Cardon Ellis chatting about his interactions with Polynesian friends, leading into Elder TikTok explaining the meaning of terms like "Usos" (Samoan for brother) and "Toko" (Tongan for brother) and highlighting the sense of fellowship in Polynesian culture. The hosts and guest celebrate the importance of having "poly friends," describing them as some of the coolest and most loyal people around.

In this engaging episode of Ward Radio, host Cardon Ellis gathers an energetic and insightful panel including Shad Brooks (Shadiversity), Ben, Jonah Barnes, Brad Whitbeck, and Austin Falter. The focus is on the deep philosophical and spiritual question: “What is the nature of truth?”The conversation opens with some lighthearted banter about the logistics of recording and the panel’s camaraderie, but quickly pivots into more serious territory. Shad Brooks (Shadiversity) sets up the discussion by challenging the notion that truth is simply a matter of factual accuracy. Instead, he proposes that truth is deeply connected to the impact it has on people’s behavior—specifically, does it help us become more like God?

In this light-hearted but thoughtful episode, the panel kicks off with banter around the unusual title “Fight Them With Strudels.” Cardon Ellis asks Jonah Barnes to illuminate the meaning behind the phrase. Jonah Barnes narrates a real-life story involving his father, drawing from both Mormon history and personal experience, to demonstrate the idea: when faced with hostility, particularly anti-Mormon sentiment, responding with unexpected kindness like delivering a strudel instead of engaging in debate or confrontation can disarm animosity and build bridges.The episode digs into a specific example involving a tragic event in Michigan and a heated rant against Mormons by Larry Lawrence o', Donnell,, an outspoken commentator. Through these episodes, Jonah Barnes highlights how members of the faith have chosen compassion, such as fundraising for the family of a perpetrator, and the humorous strudel tradition that emerged: delivering baked goods to the homes of those who were critical or adversarial.

In this thought-provoking WARD RADIO livestream, host Cardon Ellis sits down with Brigham Tomko from Deseret News to discuss seismic shifts happening within Gen Z conservatives. The conversation unpacks how younger conservatives are increasingly diverging from the values and approaches of their boomer counterparts, marking a pivotal generational break within the American right.The discussion is rooted in real stories and recent polling data. Brigham Tomko illuminates the complexities facing Gen Z conservatives, spotlighting key issues such as home affordability, economic anxieties, disillusionment with traditional pathways, and especially, a sharp skepticism towards America's relationship with Israel. In fact, Gen Z’s more critical outlook on U.S. foreign aid and alliances—particularly with Israel—stands in stark contrast to the near-unquestioning support commonly seen among older conservatives.

🎙️ The Man Who Tried to “Infiltrate” the Mormons? | WARD RADIOCardon Ellis, Jonah Barnes, and Austin Falter dive into one of the strangest viral stories making the rounds online, a man claiming he nearly infiltrated the Mormon Church from the inside.It all begins with a podcast clip from “Sips with Sarah,” where the other Ish of Arabia boldly declares his plan: join the Church, climb the ranks, and expose it from within using “charismatic speaking skills.” What follows is a hilarious and eye-opening breakdown by the Ward Radio team, who can’t help but marvel at the misunderstandings baked into the story.

Cardon Ellis, co-host Jonah Barnes, and special guest Dr. Lincoln Blumel from BYU dive into one of the most intriguing and recently solved mysteries from the New Testament.The episode centers around Dr. Blumel’s groundbreaking discovery: the real identity of the "elect lady" mentioned in Second John in the Bible. For nearly 2,000 years, scholars and translators have debated whether the recipient of the letter was a metaphor, a church, or an unnamed woman. Dr. Blumel’s scholarship and expertise in ancient Greek papyri led him to the revelation that the "elect lady" wasn’t a metaphor at all—but a real woman named Eclecta, whose name was obscured due to a minor but significant transcription error in ancient Greek manuscripts.

Feminism, Faith & the Power of Womanhood in the LDS Church | WARD RADIOIn this candid and deeply insightful conversation, Cardon Ellis sits down with Laura E. Welch for a refreshing, grounded exploration of feminism, motherhood, and what it truly means to be a woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.What begins with playful banter over episode titles quickly turns into a meaningful dive into why so many LDS women find more fulfillment in motherhood, service, and faith-driven community than in the narratives secular feminism offers. Laura shares her own journey—how, despite criticisms that the Church is “male-dominated,” her lived experience has been one of support, unity, and empowerment rooted in gospel principles.