Glass Box Podcast

Bryce Blankenagel
  • 4.6 (116)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Semimonthly

The Book of Mormon is a fascinating work of literature, teeming with stories of prophets, kings, and warriors on the pre-Columbian American continent. Is it a holy writ of ancient history and Christian theology, or did it come from a more recent source. On this podcast, we aim to find out if there are books out there similar to the Book of Mormon that were produced prior to 1830 when the Book of Mormon was released.

  1. 12h ago

    Ep 212 — Spotting a Liar | Sound of Metal

    It's our third episode this month AND it's right before General Conference so let's have some fun. We're going to talk about finding hidden or obscured information, spotting the lie. How best to prepare for GenCon? We'll take a look at a few books written by experts on the topic. For our media, we watched the enthralling movie Sound of Metal, that came out in 2020. After that, we share some happy news about formerly    Show Notes: Emotions Revealed: Recognizing faces and feelings to improve communication and emotional life, by Paul Ekman  Spy the Lie: Former CIA officers teach you how to detect deception, by Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, Susan Carnicero, Don Tennant Liespotting: Proven techniques to detect deception, by Pamela Meyer  MOGP: Sound of Metal (2020)  IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5363618/  Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/sound-of-metal  Happy News: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/lioness-justice-formerly-incarcerated-prison-air-conditioning  Other Appearances: Here's our latest episode with Chris Shelton on his series. Wahoo!  Speaking of Cults: Leaving Mormonism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoTxm8xDnk    He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g  Show Links: Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

  2. Sep 16

    Ep 211 — IP #3 - Priestcraft | LGF Part 2

    Introducing Imposition Paper #3 — Priestcraft! We point out the serious issues with Priestcraft in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and propose solutions that would make the church a safer and less hypocritical organization. Then we talk more about Dallin Oaks' book Learning the Great Fundamentals: Jesus Christ, Priesthood, and the Plan of Salvation. This time we talk about his harsh attitudes towards the world's views on marriage, children, and gender identity. And to round it all out, we have some amazing news out of Kenya involving feeding children and creating an economic infrastructure that helps entire countries. Enjoy!    Show Notes:    Sword of Laman: Learning the Great Fundamentals: Jesus Christ, Priesthood, and the Plan of Salvation, by Dallin H Oaks    Happy News: https://businesstoday.co.ke/kenyas-food4education-pitches-school-feeding-as-africas-infrastructure-case-at-kigali-food-summit/  Other Appearances: Here's our latest episode with Chris Shelton on his series. Wahoo!  Speaking of Cults: Leaving Mormonism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoTxm8xDnk    He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g    Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything, Lydia Kang, and Nate Pedersen   Show Links: Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

  3. Sep 2

    Ep 210 — EFY now FSY | Dead Poet's Society

    It's still summer so time to talk about the Mormon church's Especially for Youth (EFY) program! We talk a little about how it started, what it's about, how it has tried to evolve, and the problems that come from it. Next we discuss the incredible 1989 movie Dead Poet's Society. And finally, we finish it out with some good news involving cities terminating their  flock contracts. Enjoy!  Show Notes:   Especially for Youth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Especially_for_Youth  50 Years of EFY: Strengthening testimonies and rejoicing together: https://latterdaysaintmag.com/50-years-of-efy-strengthening-testimonies-and-rejoicing-together/  Church Expands Global Youth Conference Program: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-expands-global-youth-conference-program  FSY FAQ: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/events/fsy/faq?lang=eng#Registration  FSY Conference — Standards and Policies: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/events/fsy/standards-and-policies?lang=eng  Brad Wilcox, John Bytheway, BYU professors talk EFY and how the program has set up FSY for the perfect beginning: https://www.thechurchnews.com/2019/9/26/23215482/efy-brad-wilcox-john-bytheway-byu-professors/  A History of "Especially for Youth" - 1976-1986 by John Bytheway: chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5576&context=etd  FSY* — The New EFY: https://wheatandtares.org/2014/03/27/fsy-the-new-efy/  EFY, hair, and culture: https://archive.timesandseasons.org/2012/07/efy-hair-and-culture/index.html  How EFY Promotes Immodesty: https://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2011/07/29/how-efy-promotes-immodesty/  EFY is where the cult got me: https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/stb9mg/efy_is_where_the_cult_got_me_separation_from/  MOGP: Dead Poet's Society  IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097165/  Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/dead-poets-society  Happy News:  https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/cities-terminate-flock-contracts-at-record-pace-in-august/   Other Appearances: Chris Shelton had us back on! Speaking of Cults: Leaving Mormonism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoTxm8xDnk    He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g  Show Links: Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

  4. Aug 19

    Ep 209 — IP #2 - Scripture and Canonization | Learning the Great Fundamentals by Dallin Oaks

    Today is Imposition Paper #2 - Scripture and Canonization. What is scripture and what is its role in Mormonism? This Imposition Paper seeks to reform the cultural perspective on revelation and canonization in hopes of creating a more healthy relationship with scripture and allowing necessary revisions as society progresses. Then we jump into the second book of Dallin Oaks, his most recent Learning the Great Fundamentals: Jesus Christ, Priesthood, and the Plan of Salvation. This is a compilation of his talks edited by two church employees. This will help us compare his rookie card, Pure in Heart, to his book published as he ascended to the mantle of prophet. Then we have happy green energy news coming out of Utah! Sword of Laman: Learning the Great Fundamentals: Jesus Christ, Priesthood, and the Plan of Salvation, by Dallin H Oaks    Happy News: https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2026/08/03/utah-sets-solar-power-record/   Accidental Medical Discoveries: How Tenacity and Pure Dumb Luck Changed the World, by Robert W. Winters   Other Appearances: Here's our latest episode with Chris Shelton on his series. Wahoo!  Speaking of Cults: Leaving Mormonism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoTxm8xDnk    He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g  Show Links: Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

  5. Aug 5

    Ep 208 — "Bachelor Delight"; Sunstone Wrap | Vera Drake

    It's our annual Sunstone week and we recorded in the same space again! From The Dragon Lair 2.0, we give you Bryce's session from Sunstone titled "Bachelor Delight: Entheogens, Soporifics, Abortifacients, and STI Treatment in Nauvoo Polygamy". Content warning: some of these topics are kinda rough, but we feel the information should be out there in Mormon academia nonetheless. Following that, we talk about the 2004 movie Vera Drake. We close it out with some amazing news coming from 4 states, two of which are red states, who chose to give more access to contraception rather than allowing the Trump administration to take it away. Enjoy!   MOGP: Vera Drake: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383694/  Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/vera-drake  A Deadly Trade: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/jan/06/health.healthandwellbeing    Happy News: Red and Blue States Protect Access to Contraception Amid Trump Admin Rollbacks: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/states-pass-laws-to-protect-access-to-contraception    Other Appearances: Chris Shelton had us back on! Speaking of Cults: The Violent and Horrible Origin Story of Mormonism: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/the-women-who-wouldnt-let-climate-data-disappear    He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g  Show Links: Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

  6. Jul 22

    Ep 207 — White Supremacy and Religion, Conflict is of the Devil | The Order

    Today we're talking about white supremacy and how attractive the movement is to members of high control religions. We also discuss what we can do to combat the white supremacist movement. Then we discuss the 2024 movie The Order, a true story about the violent white supremacist movement started by Robert Mathews in the mid 1980's. Following that, we cover some excellent news about NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani funding the NYC public school system with $67.5M for special education classes after the federal government cut funding. Enjoy!    Show Notes:  Domestic Threat: White Supremacy Extremism: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/domestic-threat  White Supremacist Ideas Have Historical Roots in U.S. Christianity: https://www.npr.org/2020/07/01/883115867/white-supremacist-ideas-have-historical-roots-in-u-s-christianity  Children's Defense Fund Condemnation of White Supremacy: https://www.childrensdefense.org/blog/condemnation-of-white-supremacy/  White Supremacy Culture Characteristics: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/characteristics.html  Building Resilient Organizations: https://forgeorganizing.org/article/building-resilient-organizations/  A Christian Nation? Understanding the Threat of Christian Nationalism to American Democracy and Culture: https://prri.org/research/a-christian-nation-understanding-the-threat-of-christian-nationalism-to-american-democracy-and-culture/  Mapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States: Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas: https://prri.org/research/mapping-christian-nationalism-across-the-50-states-insights-from-prris-2025-american-values-atlas/  Thornwell's Inaugural Address of the COnfederate Presbyterian Church: https://allkirk.net/2019/04/01/thornwells-inaugural-address-of-the-confederate-presbyterian-church/  White nationalism remains major concern for voters of color: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/white-nationalism-remains-major-concern-for-voters-of-color-and-appears-to-be-connected-ideologically-to-the-growing-christian-nationalism-movement/  Great Replacement Theory: Here's what Jews need to know about white supremacy: https://www.ajc.org/news/great-replacement-theory-heres-what-jews-need-to-know-about-white-supremacy  Holy Hate: The Far Right's Radicalization of Religion: https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/holy-hate-far-rights-radicalization-religion/  New Hate and Old: The Changing Face of American White Supremacy: https://www.adl.org/new-hate-and-old-the-changing-face-of-american-white-supremacy-executive-summary  Syd Lieberman: The Day the Nazis Came:  https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/syd-liebermans-storytelling-po-166599/episodes/the-day-the-nazis-came-7270789  MOGP: The Order (2024):  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26625693/?ref_=nm_knf_t_1  Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-order-2024  WIRED The Real Story of The Order: https://www.wired.com/story/real-story-the-order-fbi-movie-bob-mathews/ The Order: Inside America's Racist Underground, by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt    Happy News: Mamdani, NYC public schools invest $67.5M in special education amid federal budget cuts: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/new-york-city-special-education-expansion    Other Appearances: Chris Shelton had us back on! Speaking of Cults: The Violent and Horrible Origin Story of Mormonism: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/the-women-who-wouldnt-let-climate-data-disappear    He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look!  Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g  Show Links: Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

  7. Jul 8

    Ep 206 — Imposition Paper #1: Priesthood Requirements | Pure in Heart pt. 5

    What were the Position Papers and what were they for? We go over a brief overview of the Reorganized Latter Day Saints (RLDS) organizing a committee to deal with some major flaws in policy and doctrine. The committee circulated some ideas to RLDS leadership in the form of Position Papers. They were leaked before the ideas could be fully fleshed out, but that set off a chain of events that led to the RLDS abandoning its conservative past for a progressive Christian future, eventually becoming the Community of Christ. Today is our first Imposition Paper, seeking to reform the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the face of its telegraphed retrenchment phase. Then we tackle the final chapter of Pure in Heart by Dallin Oaks to hear him pad his word count, prophiteer, and summarize everything he's said in the book before the conclusion. Soon we'll see how 90s Oaks compares to 2026 Prophet Oaks! We wrap with happy news about data showing, conclusively, that vaccines, indeed, work, just like we've all known all along before idiots made it a wedge. Show Notes:  Evan Sharley's post about the Presidential and Position Papers https://gileriodekel.com/2022/07/the-position-and-presidential-papers/   Sword of Laman:  Pure In Heart, by Dallin H. Oaks  Is it Possible to Control Your Thoughts? What Experts Say: https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/info/ocd-stats-and-science/is-it-possible-to-control-your-thoughts-what-experts-say  Involuntary Entry Into Consciousness from the Activation into Sets: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01017/full  Cognitive Control of Obsessional Thoughts: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796709000308#sec4    Happy News:  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c621z28z138o   Kang, Lydia; Pedersen, Nate. Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything (pp. 390-394).    Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

  8. Jun 24

    Ep 205 — Pride Media!

    Happy PRIDE Month! That's the whole bit today, PRIDE media! We brought a few pieces to discuss in order to celebrate all forms of experience and love. Along the way we have a few artists to showcase as well as lists for further exploration into this beautiful world of diverse media.   Show Notes:    LGBTQ+ Reads: https://lgbtqreads.com/    History:  11 LGBTQ+ Women Who Shaped the Course of History:   https://www.them.us/story/lgbtq-women-who-shaped-history-womens-history-month  Recognizing LGBTQIA+ Women of Color Over the Years: https://emtrain.com/blog/diversity/lgbt-women-of-color/  12 Important Queer Women in History to Know: https://queersapphic.com/queer-culture/queer-women-history-lesbian/  LGBTQ+ Women Who Made History: https://womenshistory.si.edu/blog/lgbtq-women-who-made-history  Four LGBTQIA+ Women Who Made history: https://seattlepride.org/news/four-lgbtqia-women-who-made-history  Marsha P Johnson: Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson, by Tourmaline Marsha P Johnson: The Life and Legacy of a Transgender Trailblazer, by Lyra Snow  Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBT Rights Uprising that Changed America, by Martin B. Duberman  One Day in June: A Story Inspired by the Life and Activism of Marsha P Johnson, by Tourmaline  https://wams.nyhistory.org/life-story/marsha-p-johnson/  https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marsha-p-johnson    Sally Ride: Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space, by Lynn Sherr    https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sally-ride  Josephine Baker: Josephine Baker: The Hungry Heart by Jean-Claude Baker and Chris Chase  https://nmaahc.si.edu/josephine-baker  90 Years Later, the Radical Power of Josephine Baker's Banana Skirt: https://www.vogue.com/article/josephine-baker-90th-anniversary-banana-skirt  Poetry: Audre Lorde: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/audre-lorde  Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, by Audra Lourde Fiction:  Historical Fiction by Era: https://lgbtqreads.com/general-fiction/realistic-historical-by-era/  Historical Romance by Era: https://lgbtqreads.com/romance/historical-romance-by-era/  Christopher Rice Recommends 9 LGBTQ Historical Fiction Titles: https://booktrib.com/2023/06/08/christopher-rice-recommends-9-lgbtq-historical-fiction-titles/  The Best Queer Historical Fiction of the Century (So Far): https://bookriot.com/best-queer-historical-fiction-of-the-century-so-far/  Love and Struggle Through the Ages: A Reading List of Queer Historical Fiction: https://lithub.com/love-and-struggle-throughout-the-ages-a-reading-list-of-queer-historical-fiction/  KJ Charles: https://www.kjcharleswriter.com/  Her Redbubble shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/kjcharles/shop    Cat Sebastian: https://catsebastian.com/  Photography:  Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie: https://nas.ucdavis.edu/people/hulleah-tsinhnahjinnie-seminolemuscogeedine  When Is a Photograph Worth a Thousand Words?: https://www.hulleah.com/9to5/1000words.htm    https://www.cartermuseum.org/artists/hulleah-tsinhnahjinnie  https://americanindian.si.edu/collections-search/search?edan_q=hulleah&edan_fq%5B0%5D=name%3A%22Tsinhnahjinnie%2C%20Hulleah%22    Thirsty Sword Lesbians Website: https://evilhat.com/product/thirsty-sword-lesbians/ Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvFQCfvf-bM 5-hour playthrough with mechanic tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAJxx9khRjs   Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10

See All (228)

4.6
out of 5
116 Ratings

About

The Book of Mormon is a fascinating work of literature, teeming with stories of prophets, kings, and warriors on the pre-Columbian American continent. Is it a holy writ of ancient history and Christian theology, or did it come from a more recent source. On this podcast, we aim to find out if there are books out there similar to the Book of Mormon that were produced prior to 1830 when the Book of Mormon was released.

Information

  • Creator
    Bryce Blankenagel
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ground Gnomes LLC
  • Show Website
    Glass Box Podcast