The Cultural Hall Podcast

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Countdown to Pajama Church AoN 1074 Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Molly is back from the frozen glaciers of Iceland and ready to dish out some wild stories in this week’s Articles of News. From dealing with the messy realities of passing away without a transparent will to recounting an unforgettable, R-rated testimony meeting from her very first Sunday as Relief Society President, we cover a lot of ground.

Plus, it’s General Conference weekend—which means pajama church, BYU football scheduling drama, and our best bets on what topics will hit the pulpit.

Episode Highlights

Estate Planning & Glaciers: Molly recaps her Diamond Beach vacation and gets real about the chaos of leaving your family without an airtight will.

Fast Sunday Wildcard: What happens when a brand-new attendee takes the mic on Fast Sunday to share a graphic life story? Molly gives us the front-row scoop.

Gospel Foundations: Richie gets called up to sub for the Gospel Foundations class, sparking a chat about how wards handle new converts.

Conference Bets: We talk pajamas, viewing snacks, and predictions—including potential talks on sports betting and getting married young.

Ballot Box Guidance: The Church weighs in on abortion-related constitutional ballot measures in Nevada and Idaho.

The LDS Education Gap: We break down wild new Pew Research data showing LDS birth rates plummeting from 24 per 1,000 in the 1980s to just 5 today. We also look at the massive gap in weekly church attendance between college-educated members (86%) and non-degree holders (59%).

Grand Blanc Rebuilds: A year after a tragic truck attack and fire destroyed the Grand Blanc, Michigan meetinghouse, the local ward breaks ground on a new building.

Mormon Wives Exhaustion: We are officially tired of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives drama, but we still tackle the cast departures and the new Orange County spinoff.

Missionary Accident: Sending our best to Sister Addison Woodward, who was severely injured in a pedestrian-auto accident while serving in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission.

Silicon Valley Splurge: The Church’s real estate arm just dropped $296.7 million on The Village Residences in Mountain View, California.

Time Capsule Unearthed: Bangerter Highway expansion means a 1980s ward building gets demolished, but not before a hidden time capsule is found in the cornerstone.

Global Church Donations: Tech labs, desks, and medical gear are heading to Tonga, Brazil, Paraguay, Guatemala, Rwanda, and the Philippines.

The post Countdown to Pajama Church AoN 1074 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

After Happiness: Living with Faith in a Time of Crisis – Natalie Brown – 1073 Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Cultural Hall, Natalie Brown joins us to dismantle the traditional checklist for the “perfect” life. Natalie shares her personal journey of chasing down a tenure-track academic career in English, only to watch the job market collapse and her meticulously crafted five- and ten-year plans fall apart. It’s a jarring realization when the promised formula for success and salvation turns out to be largely unavailable—and it forces a complete reevaluation of identity.

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But what happens when things don’t go according to plan in a culture that treats happiness as evidence of righteousness? We get into the toxic side of performative happiness within church culture. Natalie explains how this relentless pressure to project a flawless life leaves almost no room for genuine grief, lamentation, or vulnerability. Grieving the loss of our ideal lives isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a necessary step for genuine healing, echoing a long biblical tradition of mourning that modern culture often tries to ignore.

This pressure to look perfect has also driven us toward hyper-individualism. Natalie points out that we often try to hoard resources in our own “personal mansions,” pretending we don’t need anyone else. But this illusion shatters when local infrastructure—like our neighborhood schools—begins to fail. We discuss the urgent need to stop pretending everything is fine behind closed doors, to re-engage with our local communities, and to actually pool our resources to support one another in a society where we are deeply interdependent.

Part of that community support means financially backing the creators and writers who do this hard work, because moral support alone doesn’t pay the bills in a tough market.

The post After Happiness: Living with Faith in a Time of Crisis – Natalie Brown – 1073 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Pharaoh vs San Diego Temple District – Temple Ticker – 1072 Sep 26, 2026

Show notes

Temple Open Houses Begin
- Managua Nicaragua Temple
  - Media Day on September 7th
  - Interior Photos Released
    - Plumeria rubra flower and hand woven rugs
- Montpelier Idaho Temple
  - Media day on September 8th
  - Interior Photos Released
    - Chicory Flower and colors of Bear Lake
  - Small town Idaho of 2,600 with a tabernacle
- Wichita Kansas Temple
  - Media day on Monday September 21st
  - Interior Photos Released
    - Wheat fields and sunflowers
- San Luis Potosí México Temple
  - Media day on Monday September 21st,
  - Interior Photos Released
    - Use of Chocolate cosmo flower in art glass
    - Risgo de Bernalejo and Cascadas Salto de Agua/El Naranjo
Temple Dedications Announced
- Knoxville Tennessee Temple
  - Media Day: January 25th
  - Open House: January 27th to February 13th
  - Dedication: March 7, 2027 by David Bednar
- Smithfield Utah Temple
  - Media Day: February 22th
  - Open House: February 25 to March 27th
  - Dedication: April 18, 2027 by Quentin Cook
Temple Groundbreakings Held
- Colorado Springs Colorado Temple
  - September 12th, presided by Karl D. Hirst
- Barcelona Spain Temple
  - September 19th, presided by James W. McConkie III
Temple Groundbreakings Scheduled
- Piura Peru Temple
  - November 14th, presided by Steven C Barlow
- Cincinnati Ohio Temple
  - November 7th, presided by Allen T Philips
- La Paz Bolivia Temple
  - November 21st, presided by Juan Pablo Villar
Construction Updates
- Viña del Mar Chile Temple
  - Demolition of Meetinghouse at Temple Site
- Lone Mountain Nevada
  - Challenges to construction dismissed by the Nevada Supreme Court
- Spanish Fork Utah Temple
  - City Council Meeting on October 6th for a zoning change to accommodate 110 residential units.
- Salt Lake Temple
  - More Reservation tickets
    - September 15th and October 1st
  - Opening And Closing Event for the Temple Celebration
    - To be broadcast April 10th and October 2027
  - Temple Plaza Open
  - Coming 6 part series of young adults who tour the renovation

The post Pharaoh vs San Diego Temple District – Temple Ticker – 1072 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Happy Angel Moroni Day! AoN 1071 Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Richie T and the News Wizard, Verlin, are back to break down the latest news in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While Verlan is holding things down in Arizona, Molly is off enjoying the waters of Lake Powell.

Verlin kicks things off with a recap of babysitting his seven- and four-year-old grandsons while his son Nate took a much-needed baby moon to the Caribbean.

Things get interesting when Richie recounts a recent Sunday School experience. A substitute teacher with his own YouTube channel led an 80-chapter deep dive into Proverbs and the Songs of Solomon, heavily referencing a “thousand points of the true church”. Richie challenged the room on whether church is for heavy doctrine or building community, which resulted in an intense follow-up phone call from the teacher’s octogenarian father. The caller called Richie a jerk, sparking a great debate on whether facts or the Spirit actually convert people. The guys also tackle the “church of sameness,” using the identically dressed Tabernacle Choir as a prime example.

The guys tackle some listener questions, including a stake presidency discussion on whether to pay tithing on Social Security—ultimately landing on personal interpretation of the word “increase”. Music in the church is also evolving; a recent Stake Conference incorporated diverse cultural sounds with a guitar duo, brass instruments, percussion, and even a Primary kid playing the ukulele.

We highlight a few fascinating interviews and upcoming releases, including Robin Ritch’s insights on women as disruptors in the 70s, a new book about happiness, and the highly anticipated October documentary on the daguerreotype of Joseph Smith. Verlan’s guilty pleasure, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, gets a quick shoutout, and we play a reality TV edition of Smooch, Marry, Kill featuring Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, and The Amazing Race. Plus, a nod to the “Best DJ in Utah” and their impressive 705 star reviews.

In sports, BYU football is rolling at 3-0 and ranked #9 after taking on Colorado State and Arizona, with TCU up next. Utah is also holding strong at 3-0 with a #15 ranking. Finally, we mark a major historical milestone: September 21st is the 203rd anniversary of the angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith.

The post Happy Angel Moroni Day! AoN 1071 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Using Friction to Grow – Robin Ritch – 1070 Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Robin Ritch, a tech executive who formerly ran the Deseret News, Church News, and Utah Business, brings a refreshingly nuanced perspective to navigating faith, culture, and personal growth. Growing up in a mixed-faith Catholic and LDS home in the Pacific Northwest, she learned early on how to balance differing viewpoints without losing her own spiritual footing.

In this episode, we dive deep into the core concept of Robin’s book, Using Friction to Grow. She unpacks the pivotal years between 1968 and 1974—a defining era when LDS women faced massive cultural shifts, the civil rights movement, and the loss of Relief Society autonomy. Robin argues that friction isn’t something to run away from; much like tires on a road, it’s exactly what we need to gain traction and move forward.

If you’ve ever felt tension between your personal spiritual experiences and the cultural norms in your ward, you aren’t alone. Robin shares incredible insights from women who navigated those exact challenges and chose to stay. She emphasizes that a real faith journey requires taking ownership of your relationship with God, rather than waiting for the institution to be flawless.

@hallwayconversations1.

@robin.ritch.

www.robinritch.com

The post Using Friction to Grow – Robin Ritch – 1070 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Brother Joseph Again – 1069 Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Remember the daguerreotype that broke the Mormon internet back in July 2022? The one that had everyone in the comment sections intensely debating whether it was actually Joseph Smith? We are getting as nerdy as humanly possible about it today.

For nearly two centuries, the world has debated Joseph Smith’s true likeness. Now, after 25 years of investigation, experts uncover stunning evidence that may bring audiences to the moment they can finally see Brother Joseph Again.

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Patrick, Daylan, and Joseph drop into the Hall to talk about their new documentary project, Brother Joseph Again. We get into the raw reactions of seeing a face that didn’t quite match the polished, rugged frontier prophet we are used to seeing in historical paintings. Daylen, the film’s director, breaks down the massive amount of combined research, the forensic analysis involving Joseph’s death mask, and why this journey isn’t just about historical curiosity—it’s about understanding the actual man who lived in the trenches and building a real relationship with him.

We also talk about the heavy lift of independent filmmaking. Daylen left his corporate career and sold his house to make this happen. If you want more high-quality, deep-dive historical projects that don’t just quote from manuals, you have to vote with your wallet. The film hits theaters on October 9th.

What We Cover:

Why that initial leaked image caused such a conflicted, visceral reaction.
The deep forensic science comparing the daguerreotype to Joseph’s death mask.
The stark difference between the “sanitized” historical Joseph and the real man.
Why seeing the Prophet as a real, imperfect human actually strengthens a spiritual connection to him.
The wild financial risk of funding an independent cinematic project like this.

The post Brother Joseph Again – 1069 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Live Longer Live Stronger – 1068 Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Hey everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Cultural Hall! I’m really excited about this one because we are finally solving a mystery. A couple of months ago, I told you all a story about DJing a wedding at a house that had some very unique door handles—exact replicas of the ones on the Salt Lake Temple. Well, the secret is out! It was the home of Brad and Marjorie Lowder (Marjorie is the youngest daughter of President Russell M. Nelson). I’ve been providing DJ services to the Daybreak community generally for ten years now, along with countless other spots across the state, but DJing that wedding at the Lowders’ house was an unforgettable highlight.

Today, Brad and his twin brother Carris join me to talk about a brand new project they’ve started. After surviving a minor heart attack at 58 and losing his own dad at 67, Brad hit his 68th birthday and had a huge wake-up call. He did the math and realized he needed to make some serious lifestyle changes if he wants to be around to dance at his three-year-old granddaughter’s wedding. To keep himself accountable, he and Carris launched a new podcast called Live Longer, Live Stronger.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Wake-Up Call: Brad’s realization that he needed to overhaul his daily habits to make it to 93.

Healthspan vs. Lifespan: Why it’s not just about adding years to your life, but making sure you have the mobility and health to actually enjoy them.

Lessons from a Centenarian: The incredible example of longevity and purposeful living set by President Nelson, from his habit of always taking the stairs to his focus on daily movement.

The Power of Purpose: Why simple things like serving others, staying connected with family, and having a reason to get out of bed are the true secrets to aging well.

No Snake Oil: Why their new show isn’t about selling supplements or being preachy—it’s just a couple of guys sharing what they are learning along the way.

This conversation is a fantastic reminder that we only get one body, and it’s up to us to be good stewards of it. Take a listen, and let me know what you think!

The post Live Longer Live Stronger – 1068 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Controversies Abound – Temple Ticker – 1067 Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

Temple Dedications Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple – #220 Dedication on August 16th, presided by Dallin Oaks Elder Oaks visited in 1998, 2005, and 2007 Interview: Choose Brazil over 6-8 other temples. Brazil recently became the country with the second most members Dedicatory Prayer Temple District: 13 stakes and 2 districts Open house attended by 20,000 visitors Cleveland Ohio Temple – #221 Dedication on August 16th, presided by David Bednar Temple District: 4 stakes Location in Independence: 15 minute drive for all stakes Two temples nearly 200 years apart Oldest Temple and newest Temple Dedicatory Prayer San Diego California Temple – #45 Rededicated on August 23rd presided by D Todd Christofferson Tank tops! Originally dedicated in 1993 with 23 dedicatory sessions over 6 days Open house attended by 720,000 visitors in 1993 (six weeks) 300,000 visitors in 2026 (3 weeks) Rededicatory Prayer Temple District: 16 stakes Temple Open House Begins Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple – #222 Media day on August 11th, attended by Gerrit Gong Tradition of temples in Cambodia Interior Photos released traditional Cambodian textiles, local flora and cultural symbols motifs draw inspiration from kbach patterns common in local silverwork, furniture, murals and pottery Dedication: August 30, 2026, presided by Patrick Kearon Dedicatory Prayer Temple District: 2 Stakes, 5 districts in Cambodia and Vietnam Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple Media Day on August 24th Interior Photos Released Monja Blanca: in addition to being Guatemala’s national flower, it’s a symbol of peace, resilience, beauty and spiritual calm. The name, “white nun orchid” in English, comes from the shape of its petals, which look like a nun in prayer, wrapped in a white robe. Paintings of local Volcanos in guatemala Cody Wyoming Temple Media Day on August 24th Interior Photos Released “Inspiring the exterior designs was the city’s historic Sheridan Avenue — including crenellations and bracketed detailing — as well as Romanesque revival architecture, which is found throughout Wyoming, especially in religious buildings.” “Art-glass windows showcase the green foliage and vibrant-red blossoms of the Indian paintbrush, Wyoming’s state flower, viewed from above. Decorative paint throughout the temple combines the repeating stamp patterns of Sheridan-style leather, local wildflowers and foliage, and stylized forms of the aesthetic movement.” Local Artist featured in temple Lobby To be dedicated by Clark Gilbert on October 25th Ephraim Utah Temple Media Day on August 31st Workhorse temple to the showhorse Manti Temple Interior Photos Released The forget-me-not and oxeye daisy, for example, are flowers long cherished in Scandinavia and integrated into the design of the Ephraim temple. Wheat motifs are also prevalent through the building, a nod to the historic Ephraim Relief Society Granary Temple Dedications Announced Torreón Mexico Temple Media Day: October 19th Open House: October 22 to November 7th Dedication: November 22, 2026 by Gary Stevensen Pago Pago American Samoa Temple Media Day: November 2nd Open House: November 4-21 Dedication: December 13, 2026 by Quentin Cook Temple in Apia Samoa closing on December 23rd Fort Worth Texas Temple Media Day: November 2nd Open House: November 7 to 21st Dedication: January 10, 2027 by ? NEW Anchorage Alaska Temple Current Temple to Close on March 22, 2027 to be demolished and replaced with a new meetinghouse. Media Day: May 10, 2027 Open House: May 13 to May 29th Dedication: June 13, 2027 Temple Groundbreaking Ceremonies Santos Brazil Temple Held August 1st, presided by Ronald M. Barcellos Naga Philippines Temple Held August 8th, presided by Steven D. Shumway Huntsville Alabama Temple Held August 15th, presided by John D Amos Tulsa Oklahoma Temple Held August 22nd, presided by Pedro X. Larreal Victoria British Colombia Temple Held August 22nd, presided by James E. Evanson Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple Held August 29th, presided by Hutch U. Fale Temple Groundbreakings Scheduled Colorado Springs Colorado Temple Scheduled for September 12th, presided by Karl D. Hirst Barcelona Spain Temple Scheduled for September 19th, presided by James W. McConkie III Vienna Austria Temple Scheduled for October 17th, presided by Michael Cziesla Iquitos Peru Temple Scheduled for October 10th, presided by Sandino Roman Rendering Released: 20,000 square foot, white, center forward steeple, sloped room and pyramid top. Temple Rendering Released Charlotte North Carolina Temple 30,700 square foot temple, granite, pewter roof and top, arched windows Temple Site Announced Queen Creek Arizona Temple 15.5 acre site southeast of the intersection of Ryan Road and Euell Drive, between Meridian Road on the west and Ironwood Road on the east. Located in Queen Creek, on the Pinal County side. Church Property and Property Reserve land totals 518 acres. 82,000 square foot temple and meetinghouse planned Construction Updates Fairbanks Alaska Temple Portable modules installed San Juan Puerto Rico Reopens after 5 month renovation Includes new entrance portico to protect from rain storms, better air conditioning, Cali Colombia Temple No damage after serious earthquake Cuernavaca Mexico Temple Appears to be delayed by government and community concern about cutting down trees without a study of impact. Lehi Utah Temple Excavation and Parking lot construction well underway Still no Groundbreaking announced Mountpelier Idaho Temple Open house September 10-26 Paris Tabernacle open late in the season to tours during open house Heber Valley Utah Temple September 4th arguments at the Utah Supreme Court The post Controversies Abound – Temple Ticker – 1067 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Full show notes at the publisher

The Resurrection of the Bell – AoN – 1066 Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

It’s a full house in the Cultural Hall! This week, we are joined by an all-star lineup of the “News Wizard’s” family and favorites: Nate, Robin, Sydney, and Caitlyn. We kick things off by airing out our most embarrassing church moments—from forgotten baptism duet lyrics to heavy breathing on the microphone.

The group dives deep into the realities of the new 25-minute church class schedule. Is it a rushed, chaotic mess of overlapping wards and loud bells, or just a new routine to get used to? Plus, the McDanel sisters take over with a hilarious, LDS-themed round of “Smooch, Marry, Kill,” and we wrap up with a quick look at recent church news, including the dismissal of the tithing lawsuit and updates to chapel artwork.

Episode Highlights

Meet the Panel: We get to know Nate, Robyn, Sydney, and Kaitlyn, and settle the debate on who is actually the favorite child/grandchild.
Most Embarrassing Church Moments: The crew shares their most cringe-worthy memories, including a 15-year-old’s mid-duet blank-out at a baptism and the perils of live microphones.
The 25-Minute Lesson Crunch: A candid discussion on the new, highly compressed Sunday School and Relief Society/Elders Quorum classes. We talk about the chaotic transitions, the lack of time for deep doctrinal discussions, and the jarring reality of the countdown buzzer.
Smooch, Marry, Kill (Church Edition): Kaitlyn and Robyn lead a hilarious round of their signature game. Find out what the group decides to do with 25-minute baptisms for the dead, being alone at a ward party with the bishopric, and singing Girls Camp songs at karaoke.
Church News & Updates: A quick dive into the dismissal of the long-running tithing lawsuit and thoughts on the initiative to make chapels more Christ-centered with new artwork.

The post The Resurrection of the Bell – AoN – 1066 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

I AM President Uchtdorfs Bodyguard AoN 1065 Sep 06, 2026

Show notes

Molly joins Richie this week fresh off a wild run of life events—getting called as Relief Society President while on a cruise in Iceland, her son getting his mission call to São Paulo Interlagos, Brazil, and another son locking down a full-time job offer for 2027.

In listener mail, shoutout to Todd Haden for listening while pushing data at work. Richie also takes a moment to apologize after an anonymous emailer rightfully called him out for accidentally referring to an Arizona rapist as a “gentleman” in a previous episode (a bad habit of using catch-all polite terms that he completely agrees was the wrong move). We also get into the weeds on the new vetting process for Temple Square performers and whether the policies are leaning a bit ageist.

On the reality TV front, Taylor Frankie Paul totally blew the ending of her unreleased Bachelor season, Witney Carson is competing pregnant on Dancing with the Stars alongside Jimmy Kimmel’s Guillermo, Connor is also joining DWTS, and American Idol winner Iam Tongi and his fiancee recently received their endowments.

Articles of News covered this week:

Tickets for the Salt Lake Temple open house are going fast (Molly already has hers for May 22nd)
Church camp reservations are shifting to November to better align with FSY
A look back at the unique layout of the historic 10th Ward Square in SLC
Frustrating window-smashing vandalism at a church building in Sparks, Nevada
The heavy and tragic news of a former Layton bishop’s arrest

Support our sponsor: Need a DJ for a wedding, baptism, or party? Reach out to bestdjinutah.com.

The post I AM President Uchtdorfs Bodyguard AoN 1065 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

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