WARD RADIO

In this episode, hosts Cardon Ellis, Jonah Barnes, and Brittany Ellis dive into the sometimes controversial perception of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as Mormons) as a "high demand" religion. They unpack how this label is often used negatively by outsiders, but also highlight the admiration and even envy it inspires in other faith communities, especially when it comes to devotion and youth engagement.The discussion is kicked off by referencing an article from Christianity Today, written by Russell Moore, a self-described orthodox Christian. Moore expresses both skepticism and candid respect for the expectations placed on Latter-day Saint youths—specifically the tradition of missionary service. He notes that, despite initial misgivings, he came to appreciate how the mission experience transforms young people, teaching discipline, leadership, self-reliance, and a deepened faith, even when measurable "success" (like baptisms) doesn’t happen.

Are smart people less religious? Ward Radio host Cardon Ellis sits down with Jonah Barnes and Austin Falter to challenge one of the biggest modern myths—that intelligence and faith don’t mix. Using real data from Ryan Burge’s graphsaboutreligion.com, the team uncovers surprising trends showing that higher education often increases church attendance and belief across nearly every demographic, including within the Latter-day Saint community.With humor, insight, and hard facts, Cardon and his guests dig into why “smart” and “spiritual” aren’t opposites—and why educated believers might just be leading the charge in faith and family. If you’ve ever wondered whether data supports devotion, this episode has the answers.

Textbook arrogance, dismissiveness, and smooth-brain anti-Mormonism was on display recently as David Letting took a swing at newcomer Maddy Packer's channel, so we invited her on our channel to fight back.#mormon #christian #evangelical #bible #bookofmormon

Cardon Ellis joins Drew, Joe from the No Unhallowed Hand podcast for a real-time reaction to a Frank Turek video about what Latter-day Saints believe about Jesus. What starts as lighthearted banter quickly turns into a sharp yet thoughtful analysis of common evangelical misconceptions—like the infamous “Mormons get their own planet” myth.With humor and clarity, the hosts unpack doctrines of the Godhead, deification, and eternal progression, correcting misrepresentations while inviting open, respectful dialogue. It’s a lively, good-faith defense of what Latter-day Saints actually believe—proving that interfaith conversations can be both passionate and fair-minded.

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).

The hosts explore the intriguing potential of ex-Mormons rejoining the LDS Church as trends shift. They discuss the cyclical nature of religious faith tied to cultural waves, recalling times when being Mormon was trendy. Debates on motivation—whether community or faith drives retention—are examined, alongside the broader impacts of younger generations' renewed religiosity. They delve into the psychology behind returning to faith and how external influences may draw people back, while also addressing the fading nature of extreme anti-Mormon sentiments.

Ella Katzenbach, a contributor at WARD RADIO News, shares her insights after attending an influencer screening of the film 'Truth and Treason,' which tells the gripping true story of Helmuth Hubener. Ella highlights how this young German resistance figure's bravery in exposing Nazi propaganda resonates with Gen Z. The podcast delves into Helmuth’s inspiring court testimony, where he boldly declares his fight for truth. Ella reflects on the emotional impact of the film, discussing how today's youth could embody similar courage.

Tao Tai, known as Elder TikTok, is a social media creator with a knack for making engaging LDS content for his 146,000 followers. In this conversation, he discusses how social media both attracts and repels youth from the church. The duo explores trends like the 'anti-Mormon glow up' and the allure of authenticity on platforms. They also touch on how curiosity about Mormon distinctiveness can draw people in, and how provocative content can plant seeds for deeper inquiry. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of community and relatable figures in reengaging the younger generation.

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").