Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree

Can a horror short about polygamy, identifying evil spirits, and murder be a herald of the next wave of Mormon cinema? Meagan Kohler joins us to discuss the themes and ideas that are packed into "The Angel" and how it challenges both mainstream representations of Latter-day Saints and the nature of our own internal filmmaking. For the second half of the show, we bring on directors Jessic...

We are joined by Christopher Cunningham and Ben Pacini to talk about Matt Whitaker’s 2025 film Truth and Treason, about LDS teen Helmuth Hübener’s anti-Hitler leaflet campaign in Nazi Germany and his execution. This film poses big questions like the balance between moral courage vs. risking others’ safety, how Church leaders and members navigate authoritarian regimes, and why trustworthy informati...

Would you rather have a sparkly romance or long-term covenant love? We are joined by guest Joshua Richardson to discuss the film Eternity and how its rom-com afterlife premise echoes Latter-day Saint questions about eternal marriage. We dig into Mormon-flavored themes like what age a resurrected body might be, the joy of embodied life, and how messy realities—widowhood, remarriage, divorce, and se...

We are joined by Megan Kohler, Jacob Tubbs, and Zach Doumit as we analyze 'Wake Up Dead Man,' the third installment in Netflix's Knives Out series. We explore its nuanced portrayal of religion, contrasting characters, and its implications for faith and moral choices. We even discover some good reasons for some of the more controversial parts of the film. Perhaps one of our best convers...

Are you the worst things that you've done or the best things you aspire to? We explore these questions with Theric Jepson as we discuss the movie Sketch. The episode had some scheduling snafus, but through the magic of editing, we bring you our conversation about this dark family horror/comedy about grief, anger, and drawings coming to life. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/po...

In this episode, we explore the history of film and television adaptations of Cinderella with guests Chanel Earl and Jill Terry Rudy. We talk about how this perhaps most popular of fairy tales intersects with Latter-day Saint themes and chat about various versions from early cinema to classic Disney to modern takes, discussing how kindness, redemption, and overcoming adversity resonate with our fa...

We are joined by Adam and Jacob as we dive into 'The Good Place,' discussing its take on moral philosophy, the point system, and progression after death. We explore how Mormon ideas of eternal progression and charity intersect with the show's portrayal of the afterlife. It's a fun mix of pop culture analysis and deep theological insights! Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottr...

We discuss a great children's movie all about parenting. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/wildrobot Audio mastering by Carl Cranney Associate Links: Links to products may be associate links, which means a small part of your purchase goes to Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree. We appreciate your support.

Join in with the internet's current obsession with KPop Demon Hunters! We may not know much about KPop, but with guests BJ Spurlock and Jacob Tubbs, we have a lot to say about demons, idol worship, shame, and the atonement. Plus we've included some of our favorite lines from the absolutely killer soundtrack! Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/kpopdemonhunters Audio Editing: Liz...

We return after long pause with a review of two movies about choosing a new pope: Conclave and The Two Popes. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/conclave-the-two-popes

We review of the second season of Amazon Prime's 'Rings of Power,' exploring what it reveals about human nature and gospel themes, particularly through Sauron's relationship with Celebrimbor, while discussing the show's overall execution and its various plotlines. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/ringsofpowerseason2

It's technically the third day of Christmas, so it's not too late for us to review 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,' the 2024 Christmas movie by Dallas Jenkins. We discuss its heartfelt renewal of the gospel story and its commentary on the perils and promise of ideals. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/bestchristmaspageantever Audio mastering by Liz Busby Associate Links: Lin...

Three Latter-day Saints share their thoughts about Heretic, a 2024 horror film about two sister missionaries and their terrifying encounter with a psychopath. Jasmin Rappleye of Scripture Central joins us to unpack whether the film is anti-religious or strangely pro-faith, as well as the accuracies and inaccuracies of its Mormon characters. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/he...

Today's episode is a crossover with the folklore podcast Angels and Seerstones to discuss legends of Spencer W. Kimball having inspired Yoda and the general relationship between Star Wars and Mormons. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out more of their podcast! Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com//post/starwarsfolklore

Join us as we dive into Pixar's Inside Out 2, discussing the new emotions, Riley's evolving sense of self, and how the movie aligns with and challenges LDS perspectives on agency and personal growth. Guests CD Cunningham and Lauren Cassidy help us analyze this summer's hit family movie. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/insideout2 Audio mastering by Carl Cranney As...

This movie is one of Carl's favorites, but Liz had never seen it. Join us for our first in-person recording as we dive deep into the iconic film 2001: A Space Odyssey, exploring its themes and symbolism through the perspective of Latter-day Saint theology and appreciating its impact on sci-fi storytelling. View the Show Notes

The prophesied Dune episode has arrived! Along for the ride across the sands of Arrakis are Ivan Wolfe and Michael Haycock. Our intrepid panel dissects the film's themes—from the perils of messiah complexes and the seductive power of politics to the manipulation mastery of the Bene Gesserit and the very nature of prophecy itself. We also look at how the book adapts the complexities of the orig...

After two seasons of being snuck into almost every episode, CS Lewis finally takes center stage as we discuss the 2021 film The Most Reluctant Convert . Find out what we enjoyed about Lewis's conversion story and how his arguments connect to a Latter-day Saint worldview. View the Show Notes Audio mastering by Liz Busby Associate Links: Links to products may be associate links, which means a sm...

Do Latter-day Saints have a particular affinity for Pride and Prejudice? Maybe so, maybe not, but we're on the case to find out! Guest Katherine Cowley, author of The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet , joins us in discussing various imaginative adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. From Pakistan to spy dramas to crossovers with Mormon culture, explore the diverse and captivating spins on this Jan...

We delve into the Pixar SparkShort "Self," exploring themes of self-acceptance and identity through a wooden doll's journey in a world of metallic dolls. Discover how this thought-provoking short might be reinterpreted to challenge notions of expressive individualism, as well as insights into deeper meaning of self-discovery and acceptance. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottr...

Grab your hats and archeology tools; it's time to go on an adventure! Guests Matt Bowman and Megan Harris help us unpack the intriguing LDS undertones in the Indiana Jones saga, discuss the clash of science and theology within the series, and evaluate the symbolism behind the famous relics. Don't miss out on these captivating insights – it may permanently alter your view of this iconic ser...

Our first shorter-form episode explores a documentary about missionary work in the evangelical world, The Mission, available on Disney+. What ethical considerations do we need to make when doing missionary work across cultural lines? Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/themission

Dive into the realm where spiritual introspection meets lighthearted animation. Join Liz Busby, Carl Cranney, and our guest Christian Swenson as we decode the deep religious symbolism in The Nightmare Before Christmas. This isn't just about Jack Skellington's shenanigans--we're unearthing the profound spiritual lessons wrapped in this Halloween-Christmas mashup. We're exploring how...

Ever wonder how AI is shaping the world around us? Join us on our latest episode as we delve into the societal and ethical implications of AI with guests Nathaniel Givens and Jeffrey Thayne. We discuss the representation of AI in popular culture, how it has evolved over time, the potential dangers of AI, and the importance of human discernment and connection in an increasingly digital world. P.S....

Who knew that high fashion could teach us how to treat each other? Kjerste Christensen joins us to chat about the charming movie Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. We discuss the lack of a traditional happy ending, the final judgement, French philosophy, and the quiet impact of those who daily do their duty. Apologies about the video and audio difficulties on this episode. We had a bit of internet trouble,...