Truthspresso

This episode is part 2 in a series going through the life of Joseph Smith.Joseph Smith, Jr. founded what became known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a.k.a. the Mormon church). As we walk through this natural born leader with aspects of his life shrouded in mystery to this day, let's answer the question: was Joseph Smith a true prophet or a poser?In part 2 we look at Joseph Smith's early life from birth up to his first vision. The Smith family moved several times trying to live off the land. They faced illness and crop failure. Joseph Smith as a young boy saved his leg with novel surgery.While in Palmyra, New York, the Smith family started to make ends meet. Living in an area of revivalist preaching while surrounded by different churches, Joseph was curious for truth. Family members claiming dreams and visions perhaps led a 14-year-old Joseph to expect his own.Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration"Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845," The Joseph Smith Papers.Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

This episode is part 1 in a series going through the life of Joseph Smith.Joseph Smith, Jr. founded what became known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a.k.a. the Mormon church). As we walk through this natural born leader with aspects of his life shrouded in mystery to this day, let's answer the question: was Joseph Smith a true prophet or a poser?In part 1 we look at brief summaries of the lives of some of Joseph Smith's family to see how their different personalities and beliefs shaped Joseph's own beliefs and experiences:Asael Smith - grandfatherJesse Smith - uncleJoseph Smith, Sr. - fatherLucy Mack Smith - motherFurther research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationDelisa Hargrove, "Asael Smith’s Letter to His Family," Patheos, Updated February 24, 2024.John W. Welch, "Jesse Smith's 1814 Protest," BYU Studies 33:1.Jesse Smith, "Letter to Hyrum Smith," June 17, 1829.Scot and Maurine Proctor, "Joseph Smith Sr.’s Remarkable Vision of the Tree of Life," Meridian Magazine, January 7, 2000.J. W. Peterson, "Another Testimony," The Deseret Weekly, January 27, 1894.Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

This episode is part 7 of examining common claims about something Donald Trump said.As we examine each trope let's ask ourselves "Did Trump really say that?!"Context is king. There can be more than meets the eye than what media will often have us believe.In part 7 we dissect one hoax from Donald Trump's rally in Nebraska on October 5, 2026 (and his rally in Texas on October 7):The "Let Iran attack two California cities" hoaxSources Cited:"Trump invites Iran to 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego" [YouTube video], The Independent, October 6, 2026."Joe Biden says a vital part of preparing for hurricanes is to get vaccinated" [YouTube video], Biden’s Buddy, April 29, 2024."Trump doubles down on San Diego, Los Angeles missile comments: 'We're not going to let that happen'" [YouTube video], The Hill, October 8, 2026.Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom), "After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California," October 5, 2026, 7:56pm.Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice), "Let’s be clear: The President is advocating for an attack," October 5, 2026, 9:15pm.Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi), "The words of an American President weigh a ton," October 6, 2026, 12:49pm.Senator Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff), "The President says the Iran war will end 'very soon.'," October 5, 2026, 8:54pm.Xavier Becerra (@XavierBecerra), "Thirteen million Californians call LA and San Diego counties home," October 5, 2026, 9:02pm.Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA), "The President of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles," October 5, 2026, 9:43pm.San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria), "San Diego is not expendable," October 7, 2026, 1:52pm.David Leavitt (@DavidLeavitt), "I can’t believe I have to say this," October 6, 2026, 2:22pm.Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders), "I can’t believe we have to say this," October 6, 2026, 10:43pm.Rep. Mike Levin (@RepMikeLevin), "No American city and no American’s life is a “small price to pay.”," October 10, 2026, 9:56pm.Taija PerryCook, "Did Trump say of Iran, 'Let 'em take out' LA and San Diego?" Snopes.com, Updated October 8, 2026.David Emery, "Did Biden Wear a Hard Hat Backwards in Photo Op with Construction Workers?" Snopes.com, Updated January 27, 2024."Trump Rally in Nebraska on 10/05/26," Rev.com, October 6, 2026.Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), "The Fake and Artificial News is out there," October 08, 2026, 12:59pm.See Also"Did Trump Really Say That?!" [Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

In this episode we cover the jury deliberation timeline in the Lindsay Clancy trial, including the drama around a deadlocked jury and one lone holdout. We also see a retired nurse and "crime junkie" who got in legal trouble with the court in a restricted area and could face her own trial.The jury in the Lindsay Clancy trial deliberated for 36 hours over a full week. Despite the defense trying to get him removed, one lone juror held his convictions until the judge finally declared a mistrial. The defense even tried an emergency one-hour appeal to the highest court in the state but that attempt failed.We look at some of the online politics on social media while the jury deliberated, including calls to repeal the 19th Amendment. We see from the last 100 years of American history that moral decline isn't simply because women were allowed to vote. Men mostly have shaped ideas in society for good or evil. Modern political ideas that appeal to female sensibilities mostly came from male theorists.Sources Cited:Lauren Silver, "Prosecution focuses on bloodstains and pill bottles in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial," Court TV, August 4, 2026.Dorothy Sit, Anthony J. Rothschild, and Katherine L. Wisner, "A Review of Postpartum Psychosis," Journal of Women’s Health 15, no. 4 (May 2006): 352–68, https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2006.15.352.Ian Brockington, "Late Onset Postpartum Psychoses," Archives of Women’s Mental Health 20, no. 1 (October 6, 2016): 87–92, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-016-0680-y.Steph Whiteside, "Who is Dawn Light, woman accused of jury intimidation in Clancy trial?" NewsNation, updated September 4, 2026."At Lindsay Clancy trial, judge and defense attorney Kevin Reddington get heated over holdout juror" [YouTube video], USA Today, September 4, 2026."Jury in Lindsay Clancy trial finishes fourth day of deliberations without a verdict," CNN, September 2, 2026."Live Updates: Lindsay Clancy judge declares mistrial," PBS News, Updated September 4, 2026."Lindsay Clancy's lawyer asks judge to remove juror from murder trial after tense exchange," BBC News, September 3, 2026.Mike Toole, Kristina Rex, and Matt Schooley, "Lindsay Clancy murder case ends in mistrial after her attorney's last-ditch attempt to avoid jury deadlock," CBS News, Updated September 4, 2026.Mícheál Byrne, "Lindsay Clancy Next Hearing Set for September 29, 2026 After Judge Declares Mistrial," FEA for All, September 4, 2026.We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!Mentioned in this episode:Affiliate Link: Seven Weeks CoffeeSeven Weeks Coffee is a pro-life coffee company that donates to pregnancy resources centers and other life-affirming organizations. Sip a cup and help women and babies.Seven Weeks Coffee

In this episode just before the verdict happens in the Lindsay Clancy trial I hope to provide a balanced and sober view of this tragedy.We look at noteworthy pieces of evidence from the trial that seem to indicate that Lindsay Clancy did not have postpartum psychosis and planned the murder of her three children. From no official diagnosis before the trial to allegedly hearing a voice only once to the forensics of the timeline of that day, we see good reason to doubt the defense's story.Several viral moments in the trial such as Clancy's eerie stare and Vanity Fair's Brittany Ramano flirting at the camera raised the ire of spectators siding with the prosecution.Five possible verdicts await Lindsay Clancy with some likelier than others.Sources Cited:Michael Casey and Leah Willingham, "Deliberations in Lindsay Clancy murder trial end for the day without a verdict," KBTX3, August 27, 2026.Malcolm Owen, "Lindsay Clancy murder trial prosecutors leaning on iPhone & Apple Watch forensics," Apple Insider, August 18 2026."Attorney Kevin Reddington calls Lindsay Clancy a 'darn good mother' during closing argument" [YouTube video], "Boston 25 News, August 27, 2026."CLANCY JURY STALLS VERDICT AS U.S. SWEEPS HORMUZ MINES | STINCHFIELD TONIGHT" [YouTube video], Real America's Voice, August 28, 2026."Reporter who grew up with Lindsay Clancy faces backlash over courtroom moment" [YouTube video], CT Insider, August 25, 2026."Exclusive Interview with Brittany Romano, Lindsay Clancy’s Childhood Friend" [YouTube video], Hot Mics with Billy Bush, August 29, 2026.We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

In this episode before the verdict happens in the Lindsay Clancy trial I hope to provide a balanced and sober view of this tragedy.First, I admonish men to understand what women experience and endure with pregnancy, labor, and postpartum depression and to help them lovingly through this challenging time.Second, we walk through the timeline of this case to get a clear view of what the prosecution and the defense present and argue.Third, we see how hundreds of women came out with young children to show support for Clancy but may have overlooked the morbid message men may infer from that publicity stunt.Finally, we reason a bit about what justice may look like even with the high probability that Lindsay Clancy was suffering severe psychosis when she killed her three children.Sources Cited:Michael Casey, "Lindsay Clancy chronicled her desperation and 'brain fog' in her diary before the killings," Associated Press, August 4, 2026.Peter Yankowski, "Lindsay Clancy's mental health treatment before killings: Timeline of medications, symptoms and care," CT Insider, August 14, 2026.Nicki Brown, "Woman on trial for the murders of her 3 children. Her defense argues she may not be 'criminally responsible'," WBALTV, July 30, 2026.Eren Orbey, "A Husband in the Aftermath of His Wife’s Unfathomable Act," The New Yorker, October 14, 2024."Lindsay Clancy Greeted By Crowd Of Supporters Wearing Pink" [YouTube video], Inside Edition, August 20, 2026.We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

In the last year I have picked up a new habit: writing opinion pieces.In this episode I briefly review the art of writing and how to crush writer's block by keeping your "talking" and "editing" functions from fighting each other.I present four reasons to consider writing opinion pieces:More exposureDoable goalsWriting craft developmentPreparation for a bookThen, I summarize five opinion pieces I pitched and had published in other venues since the episode "The Write Habit" was released.My recent opinion pieces:Periodical: The American Spectator"Planned Parenthood’s Founder Fought Against Abortion""Trump, Constantine, and the Politics of Providence"Periodical: Across Voices"Russell Kirk Warned About the Fall of England"Periodical: The Reformed Conservative"Russell Kirk Warned About the Fall of England" (republish)Periodical: American Thinker"The Dangerous Allure of Being a Government Influencer""Is our border a game of red rover?"We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

This episode is part 40 and the final episode in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.This episode covers the books of 4 Nephi, Mormon, Wisdom of Mormon, and Moroni. As prophesied, the Nephite people remained righteous until around 200 A.D. Schisms and pride caused the church to split. Lamanites restored their former identity. Gadianton robbers somehow became a thing again.A young man named Mormon led the Nephites to some pyrrhic victories, but he couldn't get the Nephites to repent of their pride and wickedness. Both sides agreed to a final battle at Cumorah around 385 A.D. The Lamanites slaughtered all but a few Nephites from the army. The Lamanites took control of the whole land and oppressed the remaining Nephites. Mormon's son Moroni hid his father's abridged plates in a hill at Cumorah for future readers. Moroni's brief book has mostly records of church doctrines including a letter from Mormon harshly condemning infant baptism.After examining Moroni 10:32 for "impossible salvation" then "Moroni's challenge" in Moroni 10:4 to see how Mormon missionaries use it to try to get converts through a subjective experience. Finally, I close the series by reflecting on the lack of historical evidence for the Book of Mormon and how its transmission was fundamentally different from how we have the Bible.Further research:Didache, EarlyChurchWritings.com, trans. Charles H. Hoole.Tertullian, On Baptism (Chapter 18), NewAdvent.org, trans. S. Thelwall.Clay Gorton, "Is a child considered a member of the Church before age 8 without receiving a baby blessing?" Ask Gramps, March 19, 2025.Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: 4 Nephi, Mormon, Wisdom of Mormon, MoroniHave questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

This episode is part 39 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.This episode covers chapters 19-30 of the book of 3 Nephi. The Mormon Jesus teaches his disciples more about prayer. He prays away from them, with them, and at them, and they all glow bright white.The Mormon Jesus also gives more prophecy about the end times, the revealing of the Book of Mormon, and the regathering of Israel and the descendants of Lehi. He gave them Isaiah chapters 52 and 54 and Malachi chapters 3-4. Three of the twelve disciples get a special gift of immortality until the end. Supposedly they and the Apostle John are still out there somewhere walking among us, but harder to find even than Bigfoot.Further research:"Question: What is known about the name Greek name "Timothy" in the Book of Mormon?" FAIR Latter Day Saints."Didn’t Nephi already have authority to baptize before Christ appeared to him?" Ask Gramps, September 26, 2020.Alexander Campbell, Delusions: An Analysis of the Book of Mormon (Boston: Benjamin H. Greene, 1832).Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: 3 Nephi [chapter 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30]Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

In this episode of Truthspresso I chat about Jesus and socialism.A coworker a while ago made the claim to me that Jesus was a socialist. I have certainly heard this claim before, but I figured I would address it.In part 12 we look at the account of Mary, sister of Martha, anointing Jesus with expensive perfume for His burial. Jesus' disciples murmured about the "waste," and Judas Iscariot suggested that it should have been sold and given to the poor. Jesus, knowing Judas was a thief, answered in a way that a politician might think was calloused and insensitive.Looking at recent arguments from politicians that sound like Judas' question, I observe what I term "Judas Iscariot socialists." The Judas question repeats itself in modern political posturing and virtue signaling.Scriptures Referenced:John 12:1-8John 6:64, 70-71Hebrews 5:14Matthew 26:6-13Mark 14:3-9Sources Referenced:Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders), "While working families at home struggle," X (formerly Twitter), July 1, 2026 11:00 a.m.House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats), "Donald Trump is spending MILLIONS on a UFC fight," X (formerly Twitter), June 12, 2026 2:21 p.m."Stolen SNAP Benefits Cost Beneficiaries Millions," Government Accountability Office, December 2, 2025.We value your feedback!Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!