Shawn & Matt

The Latter Day Lens

Religion EN ↓ 177 episodes

Welcome to The Latter Day Lens, a weekly faith-based podcast where we explore the intersection of Mormonism, global news, and political science. Hosted by Shawn Record and Matthew Miles, a professor of political science, this is your home for an authentic and nuanced LDS perspective on the world’s toughest topics. Each episode provides thoughtful Latter-day Saint commentary on current events, ranging from Christianity and politics to social identity and economic policy. Whether you are an active LDS member seeking a deeper religious podcast experience or a listener interested in Mormon studies...

Author

Shawn & Matt

Category

Religion

Podcast website

www.latterdaylens.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 125: Hyperinflation Fears, Job Market Realities, Iran's Nuclear Claims, and Synthetic DNA Ethics 02.07.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Marc dive into some of the most pressing and thought-provoking issues of our time: Robert Kiyosaki's Hyperinflation Warning: We kick off by discussing "Rich Dad Poor Dad" author Robert Kiyosaki's dire predictions for the US economy, including impending hyperinflation and a financial wipeout for millions. He points to weak deman...

Episode 124: Is America Headed for Civil War? Decoding Political Toxicity, Voucher Waste, and Moral Authority in a Divided Nation. 25.06.2025

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Linda dive headfirst into the swirling currents of contemporary American challenges. We'll start by grappling with Professor Marci Shore's stark warnings of civil war and her decision to leave the U.S., prompting us to question our moral obligations in a "democratic emergency." Then, we pivot to the realm of political rhetoric...

Episode 123: Military Presence, Digital Dating, Celebrity Faith, & Religious Freedom 18.06.2025

Send us Fan Mail Join Matt, Shawn, and Melanie this week as they dive into some of the biggest ideas shaping our world, from the presence of the US military on home soil to the cutting edge of AI in dating , the public display of celebrity faith , and fundamental questions about religious freedom . Military Visibility: A New Era? Last Saturday, Washington D.C. hosted a military parade marking the...

Episode 122: What Is America? Media Polarization, Gaza Coverage, and Whether Natural Laws Actually Exist 11.06.2025

Send us Fan Mail We open this episode with a moment of reflection, discussing the somber news regarding Ukrainian refugees in Utah and the ongoing challenges many face with immigration and refugee status. We then dive into a listener's compelling question: "Is America an aristocracy in disguise?" This sparks a lively debate among Matt, Shawn, and Levi about the role of inherited wea...

Episode 121: Jail Escapes, Presidential Pardons, and the BYU Honor Code 04.06.2025

Send us Fan Mail Join Matt, Shawn, and Marc on the Latter-day Lens podcast for a lively and thought-provoking discussion that spans centuries and tackles complex moral questions. In this episode, we kick off with a fascinating dive into Colonial Heritage Festivals and Revolutionary War reenactment, as Marc shares his experiences representing the 33rd Regiment of Foot. Learn what makes these histor...

Episode 120: College, Culture, Calling Out Racism, and the Supreme Court 28.05.2025

Send us Fan Mail This week on the Latter-day Lens, hosts Matt and Sean dive into hot-button topics that spark lively debate. First, they tackle recent research suggesting that college can actually make students more conservative depending on their major. Is it the professors, the self-selection of students, or something else entirely? Matt and Sean explore the implications of this finding and deba...

Episode 119: AI Ethics, Biden's Presidency, and Refugee Politics: Where Morality Meets Democracy 21.05.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this intellectually stimulating episode, Matt, Shawn, and Melanie explore complex intersections of politics, education, immigration policy, and artificial intelligence ethics. Our discussion examines vocational education's resurgence, controversial refugee policies, presidential decision-making, and the emergence  Education Policy Debate High schools across America are for...

Episode 118: Self-Reliance, Racial Gap in Small Business Success, Ukraine's Mineral Deal, and Religious Expression in Academia 14.05.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Levi engage in a thought-provoking discussion about three distinct topics that challenge conventional thinking within their community. The conversation begins with Levi's bold assertion that "self-reliance is a Satanic doctrine," arguing that interdependence rather than self-sufficiency is the true gospel principle. This leads to a...

Episode 117: Faith in a Fractured World: Misinformation, Politics & Divine Guidance Today 07.05.2025

Send us Fan Mail This week, hosts Shawn, Matt, and Marc delve into some thought-provoking questions ripped straight from the headlines! Topic 1: The Weaponization of Misinformation In a recent talk at Harvard , Pete Buttigieg painted a stark picture of misinformation, characterizing it as a weapon more devastating than nuclear arms in its ability to fracture American society. He highlighted Russia...

Episode 116: White Collar Crime, Taxes, Trump's First 100 Days: A Provocative Discussion 30.04.2025

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Matt, Shawn, and Melanie for a deep dive into the week's most pressing and thought-provoking issues! In this episode, they tackle the controversial shifts in white-collar crime enforcement , including foreign bribery, public corruption, money laundering, and the impact of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Matt, Shawn, and Melanie debate the morality of prio...

Episode 115: Biden Better on the Border than Trump, Mormon Views on the Pope, App Control, Lottery Wins, & Money Dysphoria 23.04.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt and Shawn delve into various topics including the contrasting deportation rates under Presidents Biden and Trump, the significance of the Pope's death, and the political dynamics involved in church leadership. They also discuss Utah's recent App Store Accountability Act aimed at protecting children online. The conversation h...

Episode 114: Oligarchy, ProPublica's Prophecy, a Lost Deportee, and the IVF Parenthood Question 16.04.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Shawn, Matt, & Marc engage in a lively discussion covering various topics. They dive headfirst into the murky waters of corruption, questioning if all forms are equally damaging, sparked by AOC's critique of fellow Democrats and the broader issue of politicians profiting in office. The conversation then shifts to a chilling look at a Trump advisor's...

Episode 113: Police Training Gaps, CBT for Crime Reduction, Trump's Tariffs, and Four Strains of LDS Thought 09.04.2025

Send us Fan Mail We experienced some technical difficulties this week ...please be patient with the broadcast. Welcome to Latter-day Lens with Shawn, Levi, and Matt! This week, we're tackling some heavy hitters that touch our communities and our faith. From tragic gaps in law enforcement training and the debate around talk therapy's place, to Trump's controversial trade tactics and...

Episode 112: Politics, College, and General Conference: A Lively Debate 02.04.2025

Send us Fan Mail This episode of "The Latter-Day Lens" features a spirited discussion between Matt, his daughter Melanie, and friends Shawn and Jacob. The conversation moves through several engaging topics with the perfect blend of humor, disagreement, and thoughtful commentary that showcases the group's chemistry and willingness to challenge each other's viewpoints. The episod...

Episode 111: Beyond Divides: College Worth, Church Growth, Happiness, and Immigration 26.03.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Shawn, David, and Matt discuss various themes around social division and unity, including the perceived value of college education, the success metrics of their religious community, global happiness trends linked to trust, and the surprising political common ground on immigration among members of their church. Topic 1: College Education Value A recent Gallup...

Episode 110: Trump's Speech to Congress, Partisan Views of Foreign Countries, Suing Church Members, America's Christian Heritage 19.03.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Latter Day Lens Podcast, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Marc engage in a lively discussion that begins with light-hearted banter about cooking and personal anecdotes. The conversation then shifts to a critical analysis of Trump's recent speech, where Marc expresses his view that it was a notably pro-American address. The discussion evolves into a deeper explora...

Episode 109: Ukraine, DOGE, Lazy federal employees, Cloud hosting of explicit images, The latter day lens on racism 12.03.2025

Send us Fan Mail This episode opens with a listener challenging hosts Shawn and Sam for previously dismissing Matt's concerns about Trump's Ukraine policy. The listener cites seven recent Trump administration actions that appear to validate Matt's predictions, including calling Zelensky a dictator, excluding Ukraine from peace negotiations, advocating for Russia's G8 readmissio...

Episode 108: Republicans and traditional gender roles, Disappointed Trump voters, Germany's move to the right, The abundance movement 05.03.2025

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt and Shawn engage in a candid conversation about their recent disagreements, the importance of reconciliation, and listener feedback. They explore LGBTQ+ issues within the church, discuss immigration policies, and delve into the topic of traditional gender roles in relation to gospel teachings. The conversation also touches on...

Episode 107: Immigration, COVID-19, Integrity, Post WWII International Order 26.02.2025

Send us Fan Mail One listener pointed us to this article which explains the legal status of various undocumented immigrants. Summary In this engaging conversation, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Melanie delve into the complexities of immigration policy in the United States, exploring the roles of faith-based organizations, the impact of political decisions, and the moral implications of immigration laws....

Episode 106: The Economy, Robocalls, Ranchers Rights, Promoting the Family 19.02.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Levi engage in a deep discussion about immigration laws, the complexities of undocumented immigration, and the economic implications of these policies. They explore the nuances of fiscal conservatism, the impact of government spending and taxation on the economy, and the historical context of immigration debates in the U.S...

Episode 105: Can Manufacturing be Saved, Andy Reid's Favorite Trilogy, Unequal Justice, Peace in Politics 12.02.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Matt and Shawn, along with guest David, engage in a deep discussion about racism, implicit bias, and the complexities of social justice. They explore the nuances of microaggressions, the role of education in combating racism, and the implications of implicit bias testing. The conversation also touches on economic shifts in manufacturing jobs and the politica...

Episode 104: Implicit Racism, Transgender Ban, Deep Seek, Trump's First Week 05.02.2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Latter Day Lens, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Marc engage in a lively discussion that begins with personal anecdotes about oil changes and transitions into listener feedback regarding the podcast's branding. The conversation then delves into the complex topics of racism and implicit bias, exploring scientific perspectives and societal implications. The latter par...

Episode 103: Same Sex Marriage in Thailand, Freeze on US Foreign Aid, Transgender Dorms, Germany's AfD (Alternative fuer Deutschland) 29.01.2025

Send us Fan Mail The Thought Provoker: Melanie is up first this week. I got a Breaking News notification from BBC about how Thailand has legalized same-sex marriage, which brokered the question: why do we care? As global powers, how much is it our responsibility to enforce "good" causes around the globe, and how much should we remain hands off? Where's the line between the sins of t...

Episode 102: Seditious Conspiracy, Shari Franke, Dementia 22.01.2025

Send us Fan Mail Topic 1: The special counsel released their findings from their investigation into Trump's behavior on Jan. 6, 2020. We now know that Trump broke the law in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election. By the time this episode drops, Trump will have been sworn in as President of the United States. How will future members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints look b...

Episode 101: BYU Faculty Challenges, Partisan Optimism/Pessimism in 2025, A Felon in the White House 15.01.2025

Send us Fan Mail The Salt Lake Tribune has a story about why a sizable number of faculty members at BYU are afraid. In the article and on the podcast the Tribune discusses this topic with former faculty members and only cites anonymous current faculty member sources. Should faithful latter-day saints be concerned about BYU faculty members' possible fear about policies that require them to agr...

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