Is Social Media Saving or Sinking Faith?

Cardon Ellis, joined by Austin Falter and podcaster Jonah Barnes, dive into a lively and sometimes tense discussion about the growing presence of gender and LGBTQ+ themed children’s books in mainstream outlets, particularly within communities traditionally associated with conservative, religious values (like those of the LDS Church).

Cardon Ellis, Jonah Barnes, Kwaku L., Brad Whitbeck, and Jerry—dives into the intriguing prediction that many ex-Mormons may soon start returning to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The discussion is sparked by a post from the ex-Mormon subreddit, which suggests that “ex-Mormonism” might have peaked as a trend and could now be on the decline.The hosts talk candidly about the cyclical nature of religious commitment and cultural trends. Drawing parallels to historical trends in American religiosity, they propose that just as religious participation dipped and resurged in past decades, so too could LDS Church activity. The resurgence, they suggest, may be influenced by changes in Church leadership, cultural excitement, and generational waves—recalling times when being Mormon was culturally “cool” because of influential figures, music, and media.

Cardon chats with Ella Katzenback about her recent article on the powerful true story of Helmuth Hubener. Together, they reflect on their experience attending an influencer screening of "Truth and Treason," a new film by Angel Studios that highlights Helmuth’s life—the youngest German boy executed for resisting Nazi propaganda in Hamburg during WWII.Ella shares how deeply the film impacted her and the group of Gen Z influencers she attended with. Both were struck by Helmuth’s courage: a teenager risking his life to spread the truth, despite knowing the consequences could be fatal. Ella’s favorite moment was Helmuth’s bold testimony before the people’s court, where he declares he’s not being executed for doing wrong but for telling the truth, leaving viewers in awe of his moral clarity and conviction.

Cardon sits down with Elder TikTok to explore what’s drawing young people toward—and pushing them away from—the Mormon church in today’s digital age.

In this episode, the host of Ward Radio Cardon Ellis dive deep into a series of controversies surrounding Glenn Beck, prominent conservative radio personality and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS—commonly referred to as Mormon). The conversation unpacks how Beck is not only criticized from the political left, but more surprisingly, from the right—especially evangelical and Protestant circles who view his faith with suspicion or outright hostility.

Cardon is joined by Austin and Brittany with their guests, BYU students Carly, Joe and Drew. They tackle one of the most persistent questions and stereotypes surrounding Brigham Young University (BYU): Is BYU really "this way"?The conversation kicks off with a playful analysis of a viral campus interview video titled “Utah Mormons are Different,” where BYU students are asked tongue-in-cheek questions about dating, marriage, and BYU culture. They react to answers that seem to play into stereotypes, like needing to convert and get married in the temple to "pull" a Mormon, RMs (returned missionaries) pursuing recent high school graduates, and the much-memed BYU engagement timeline ("my neighbors dated for a week before getting engaged").

Elder TikTok tells all! This discussion dives into his unique origin story, his mission as a content creator, and the impact he hopes to have on both LDS and non-LDS audiences.

Cardon Ellis and Jonah Barnes are joined by guest Austin Falter to react to the trailer for “Young Washington,” Angel Studios’ upcoming film about the early life of George Washington. The conversation quickly becomes an engaging blend of movie hype, historical commentary, and playful banter.The group is immediately excited by the quality of the trailer, with Andy Serkis (famously known for playing Gollum) appearing to be part of the cast, eliciting awe from the hosts. They draw visual and atmospheric comparisons to “Pirates of the Caribbean” and praise the film’s top-tier sound design, costuming, and lighting, expressing genuine excitement for its July 3, 2026 release, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Cardon and Jonah Barnes dive deep into scripture, scholarship, and the culture of LDS academia.The discussion begins playfully as Jonah explores chiasmus—a poetic structure in ancient texts—within the Book of Moses. He highlights a striking pattern between Adam and Eve’s statements after the Fall, jokingly calling it their “epic rap battle.” Adam’s partial chiasmus is countered by Eve’s bold, complete one, centering the doctrine of the “fortunate fall.” Jonah notes this insight hasn’t appeared in scholarly literature, making the discovery all the more thrilling.

This episode dives into the controversies and complexities surrounding Elder TikTok, a well-known LDS TikTok personality who’s faced repeated cancellation and criticism throughout his social media career. The hosts Cardon Ellis, Jonah Barnes, and guest Austin Falter discuss both the specific recent incidents and the broader cultural context in which Elder TikTok operates.