New Research Exposes the Truth About America’s ‘Nones’ (with Jonah Barnes)

What would drive someone to sell their home and risk everything for a film?In this heartfelt episode of WARD RADIO, host Cardon Ellis and co-host Austin sit down with filmmaker Dalen Pollard, who sold his house to create Woman in Christ—a documentary spotlighting the real, faithful lives of Latter-day Saint women.Dalen shares the highs and lows of grassroots filmmaking, the powerful role of his wife’s support, and how stories of faith and service became the heartbeat of a movie Hollywood wouldn’t make. From maxed-out credit cards to a distribution deal, this is a story about sacrifice, grit, and belief in the power of authentic storytelling.

Was the Tower of Babel really about God magically inventing new languages? Or could it have been something far more physical, natural, and scientific?In this fascinating episode, guest Jerry Grover joins host Cardon Ellis to propose a groundbreaking reinterpretation of the biblical Babel account. Drawing from the Book of Ether, floodplain studies, and modern science, Grover suggests that mosquito-borne encephalitis—not an instant linguistic miracle—may have caused the “confounding of languages.”

What does it really mean when Latter-day Saints say, “I know the Church is true”?In this episode, we respond to a recent video by Nemo the Mormon that critiques the epistemological basis of LDS testimonies. Do Mormons overstate certainty when they bear testimony, or is “knowing” in religion deeper than empirical evidence?📚 Book recommendations included at the end for those who want to go deeper.

The LDS Church in Tanzania just went from decades of stagnation to explosive growth. 🚀In this episode, Cardon and Jonah break down the “Tanzania turnaround” — what sparked it, why it matters, and what it teaches about Church growth worldwide. Along the way, they mix humor (a “Mount Kilimanjaro Temple”? 🏔️) with real insights about missions, leadership, and faith.

Tikla Fife offers a frank and faithful perspective on modern feminism in Latter-day Saint culture. She examines the influence of secular ideas, how women’s roles and callings function within Church structure, and the risks of turning pain into polarization.What does it really mean to "listen to women"? Are equality and sameness the same thing? And how can we preserve both truth and compassion in an age of ideological extremes?This isn’t just another culture war take—it’s a call to deeper understanding, greater cooperation, and higher purpose.

Cardon and Jonah break down the facts behind the LDS Church’s recent $152.5 million real estate purchase in Boca Raton, Florida.Was it tithing money from widows, as critics claim—or investment income fueling long-term humanitarian aid? The hosts cut through the online rumors, examine the numbers, and compare this deal to the Church’s $1.5 billion in 2024 humanitarian spending.Along the way, they tackle Reddit debates, highlight overlooked volunteer efforts, and explore why real estate plays such a central role in the Church’s financial stewardship.

How much of January 6th was really about faith? We investigate the claims that charismatic Protestant movements—especially the New Apostolic Reformation—played a key role in the Capitol riot. From Christian nationalist rhetoric to overt displays of religious symbolism, we dig into where spiritual conviction met political passion.

They call the show "The Altar"... and we reacted to it.

What really caused Lucifer’s fall? In this episode, we sit down with Jonah Barnes—author of The Lost Gems of Genesis—to uncover a shocking theme hiding in the Apocrypha: Lucifer rebelled not because he was denied the role of Redeemer, but because he was jealous of Adam.Ancient texts repeatedly describe Lucifer’s desire to be the first man—and his fury when Michael/Adam was chosen instead. Barnes argues this overlooked story is mirrored in the Book of Abraham, chapter 3, aligning Joseph Smith’s revelations with forgotten Jewish traditions.Could this be powerful evidence of Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling? And does it mean we’ve misunderstood the roles of Adam, Michael, and Lucifer for centuries?

Everyone’s talking about the rise of the “nones” — the growing number of Americans with no religion. But new research reveals they’re not all the same. In this episode, we break down the four surprising subgroups uncovered by Ryan Burge’s massive study of 12,000 people.From the NINOs (None In Name Only) who still pray, to the SBNRs (Spiritual But Not Religious), to the Duns who’ve walked away, and the Zealous Atheists who won’t stop talking about it — this episode uncovers what’s really happening in American faith today.We explain why these categories matter, how they show up in your own family, and what it all means for the future of belief.