Davis Smith, former CEO of Cotopaxi and recent mission president in Brazil, joins The Cultural Hall to share the profound highs and jarring lows of transitioning back to everyday life after an intensive period of service.

Leading a Mission & Family Balance Davis reflects on the demanding yet deeply rewarding experience of presiding over a dense, urban Brazilian mission alongside his wife. He discusses the unique challenge of balancing the spiritual mentorship of hundreds of young missionaries with raising their two young sons in a fast-paced environment.

The Shock of Coming Home...

The episode kicks off with the host welcoming Molly “the Ash Ashton” and Verlin for a news-focused discussion. The conversation quickly turns to the phenomenon of family secrets, with Molly recalling a funeral where photos of ex-wives were deliberately excluded, shocking a 12-year-old grandson who had no idea his father had a prior marriage. Verlin shares a parallel experience of discovering a living grandmother at age 12 who had been hidden from the family, leading to a broader discussion on how modern DNA testing continues to unearth hidden relatives today.

Relief Society Realities and Leprechaun Games Moll...

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In this episode of The Cultural Hall, Richie sits down with Reuben, the founder of Arise and Heal Recovery, to tackle a deeply entrenched and often stigmatized issue within the LDS community and beyond: pornography and sexual compulsion. Reuben challenges the traditional cultural response of shaming and hiding, explaining how silence only isolates those who are struggling from God, their leaders, and their loved ones. Instead of relying on exhausted “white-knuckle willpower,” Reuben breaks down the physiological reality of addiction, describing how pornography consumption creates massive dopamine spikes that even...

Temple Dedications Ephraim Utah Temple – #223? Dedicated October 11th, presided by Ronald Rasband Dedicatory Prayer 11 Stakes in Temple District Guatemala City Guatemala Miraflores Temple -# 224? Dedicated October 11th, presided by Gerrit Gong Dedicatory Prayer 19 Stakes, 1 District in Temple District 2nd Latin American city with two temples 100,000 people visited the open house  Visited by the President of Guatemala Montpelier Idaho Temple Announced that Henry B Eyring will dedicate the temple

Taylor is finally back in the co-host seat, and this time he’s broadcasting in glorious landscape orientation. He’s down to just two major life goals these days: acquiring a second chain and managing to live in the exact same place for more than a year. We also get a major life update that he is officially off the market, having formalized his new relationship back in May after initially meeting her at a dating show last year. 

On the digital front, we are heavily pushing our social media presence, specifically focusing on Instagram reels as we ma...

Margaret Olsen and Caroline Kline join The Cultural Hall to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. Founded in 1966 by Eugene England and a group of Stanford graduate students, the journal was created to explore the intersection of academic intellect and Mormonism. As an entirely independent publication, it tackles complex church history and theology outside of institutional boundaries. The journal features a wide range of genres, encompassing sociology, theology, history, poetry, fiction, and art critiques.

Over its six decades, Dialogue has published landmark pieces that fundamentally shifted church discourse. In 1973, Lester Bush published...

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1. HEART OF THE MATTER

1A. General Conference October 2026 — The Big Picture  [NEW]

The 196th Semiannual General Conference ran Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, with four sessions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mountain. There was no Saturday evening session, a change that took effect in April 2026. President Henry B. Eyring conducted Saturday morning, and President D. Todd Christofferson led the sustaining of Church leaders. At the Thursday, October 1 leadership meeting, one new Area Seventy was sustained and one was released.

Sources: Church Newsroom: Saturday morning summary  |  Church News confere...

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...

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 treat...

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

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...

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

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...

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

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....

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

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...

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

  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...

The post Controversies Abound – Temple Ticker – 1067 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

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...

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

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...

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

Salt Lake Temple New Statues Applications for 1 week service option New Guest Experiences coming on Temple Square JS Memorial Building: new theater presentations, chapel tour Conference Center: new art galleries Tabernacle: projections onto ceiling with depictions of Jesus Cnn...

The post 1 Million Requests in the First 24 Hours – Temple Ticker – 1064 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Technical difficulties couldn’t keep this episode down! Richie, Kurt Francom (from Leading Saints), and Verlin the News Wizard are back in the Cultural Hall to hash out the latest happenings inside and outside the Church. From the quirky traditions of...

The post This Episode Contains no Sports AoN – 1063 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

In this “Articles of News” episode, Richie and Verlin (our resident News Wizard) are tackling a packed listener inbox, playing a pretty wild Old Testament version of Smooch, Marry, Kill, and breaking down all the biggest stories happening around the...

The post Pig Pickin and cry for help AoN – 1062 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

First up, we debate a highly important question: what would your “walk-up” song be for speaking at Stake Conference? We’re throwing out everything from Michael McLean to Usher to the Imperial March. We also share some stories from a genuinely...

The post Bishop Vader, I wish that Gangs were more Respectful appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

On this episode of the Cultural Hall, we’re having a long-overdue conversation about something that affects so many families but doesn’t get talked about enough: returning home early from a mission. We sat down with Jon Larsen and his daughter...

The post Returning Stronger – Brooklyn and Jon Larsen – 1060 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Welcome back to the Hall! This week, we’ve got legal scholar Nathan Oman hanging out with us to talk about his new book, Welding Another Link (out now from Kofford Books). Instead of one long, heavy academic argument, Nate’s book...

The post Welding Another Link – Nathan Oman – 1059 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

It’s time for another episode of The Cultural Hall! This week, we’re sitting down with Chad Nielsen. Trent over at Kofford Books pitched him to us as a “true Renaissance man,” and honestly, the shoe fits. By day, Chad works...

The post A Barn Full of Angels: The Life of Zera Pulsipher with Chad Nielsen 1058 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

In this episode, we explore a wide range of topics from cookie science and church news to community initiatives and personal stories, providing insights and inspiration for everyday life. Cookie making as chemistry and science Church news and community initiatives...

The post Crumbl – The Savior of Cookies? AoN 1057 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The post All News Minimal Fluff AoN 1056 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Having Carol Lynn Pearson in The Cultural Hall for Episode 229 was one of those experiences that sticks with you long after the microphones are turned off. She is a poet, a playwright, and a pioneer in so many ways....

The post The 5 Things I Learned From My Time with Carol Lynn Pearson – Episode 229 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The post All Fluff Minimal News AoN 1055 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The post A Moratorium on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives – AoN 1054 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Temple Visitors Center Dedicated Nauvoo Illinois Temple Dedicated June 27, presided by Gerrett Gong Map of property owners (2020) Groundbreaking scheduled Tulsa Oklahoma Temple August 22, 2026, presided by Pedro X. Larreal Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple August 29, 2026, presided...

The post A Non-Record Breaking Year Temple Ticker 1053 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The post What is your place in the Hall? AoN 1052 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

“Joseph’s story is a profound masterclass in patience, faith, and trusting in God’s timing, even when the immediate circumstances don’t make sense to the outside world.” In this powerful episode, Richie T sits down with Joseph Freeman Jr., a historic...

The post Joseph Freeman Jr. – Episode 417 – The Granted Vault appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Episode 13 & 14: Mitch Mayne (The Combined Interview) In this newly combined episode from the archives, we’re putting parts 1 and 2 of my interview with Mitch Mayne into one single episode. If you’ve been around the Hall for...

The post Mitch Mayne – Episodes 13 and 14 – The Granted Vault appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The Cultural Hall | Episode 54: Richie T. Steadman Original Release Date: August 17, 2012 Host/Guest: Richie T. Steadman/Britty Marie/Rob Ferre Episode Overview Richard Thomas Steadman. Or is it Rick Steadman? Or Richie T. Steadman? Or just plain Richie T.?...

The post Richie T Steadman – Episode 54 – The Granted Vault appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

  1. HEART OF THE MATTER 1A. Record-Breaking Missionary Numbers — Pres. Oaks at New Mission Leader Seminar At the 2026 Seminar for New Mission Leaders (June 18–21, Provo MTC), President Dallin H. Oaks announced that the Church will soon...

The post John Dehlin v. The Mormon Church – Which is the win for Satan? AoN 1051 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Temple Dedications  Bacolod Philippines Temple – #217 Dedicated May 31st, by Neil Andersen 6th Temple in the Philippines (3rd this year) Dedicatory Prayer Temple District: 14 stakes, 7 districts (another temple in Iloilo planned) Willamette Valley Oregon Temple – #218...

The post Do You Know Where the Price Utah Temple Will Be – Temple Ticker 1050 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The post I Could be Scary Moroni at the Salt Lake Temple Celebration AoN 1049 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The post How do YOU define being a Christian AoN – 1048 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The post A Whole New Soundtrack for the Old Testament AoN – 1047 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

The post Jenee Wright Prince – 1046 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.