Back Pew Bioethics—an LDS Bioethics Podcast

Back Pew Bioethics
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Religion

Back Pew Bioethics is a place for Latter-day Saints (Mormons), or anyone else interested in the unique theology and history of the LDS Church, to join in conversations around some of the most controversial topics of our day—abortion, gender affirming care, vaccines, physician assisted suicide, AI, genetic modification, and more. Each episode Brad and Calli, two trained LDS bioethics, will jump into those thorny discussions that often happen at the back of the cultural hall. Come to learn something new, or have your faith deepened (hopefully), or to just be surprised.

Episodes

  1. May 19

    Ep 4 Abortion Laws--The Womb of Wisdom

    TW: This episode discusses abortion, rape, and infant/maternal death Oh boy, on this episode we are really getting into it as we discuss the current abortion policies across the US. We tackle the history of the LDS Church’s policy on abortion, the rise of maternal and infant deaths after the fall of Roe v. Wade, and how restrictive abortion laws in many states violate the religious freedom of Latter-day Saints as well as other religious groups. About the hosts: Brad, a PhD bioethicist and medical school professor and Calli, a PhD candidate in bioethics and genetics data analyst, explore the world of bioethics through the lens of LDS theology and faith. As life-long active members of the LDS Church, and some of the few bioethicists that are part of the faith, they hope to bridge the unique teachings and doctrines of the LDS Church with some of the most controversial topics of our time.  The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the presenters and do not represent the views of their employers or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints   Music:  Alan Hawkshaw    / alan hawkshaw - topic

    1h 44m

  2. Apr 16

    Ep 3: General Conference Special!

    It's General Conference time again; that semi-annual Latter-day Saint tradition where we gather ‘round to listen to the prophet--and gorge ourselves on pastries. In this episode, we discuss the themes and talks that stood out to us. We’re talkin’ changes to the Sunday schedule, Elder Gilbert’s early efforts to cleanse BYU faculty, why people are really leaving the Church, the “Protestization” of Church rhetoric, Resurrection-for-all, and whether “fairness for all” includes due process for immigrants. All while facing down one of the most vexing theological challenges of all time, the Problem of Evil.  About the hosts: Brad, a PhD bioethicist and medical school professor and Calli, a PhD candidate in bioethics and genetics data analyst, explore the world of bioethics through the lens of LDS theology and faith. As life-long active members of the LDS Church, and some of the few bioethicists that are part of the faith, they hope to bridge the unique teachings and doctrines of the LDS Church with some of the most controversial topics of our time.  The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the presenters and do not represent the views of their employers or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints   Music:  Alan Hawkshaw    / alan hawkshaw - topic

    1h 29m

  3. Mar 9

    AI—Give Us This Day Our Daily Data

    For our second episode we tackled one of the most consequential technologies of the last decade AI and things got…weird. In this episode we will cover the Utah plan to let AI renew prescriptions, LDS authorities responses to AI, our changing sense of identity, equity with AI, and whether we ought to torture AI to help it serve humans better. About the hosts: Brad, a PhD bioethicist and medical school professor and Calli, a PhD candidate in bioethics and genetics data analyst, explore the world of bioethics through the lens of LDS theology and faith. As life-long active members of the LDS Church, and some of the few bioethicists that are part of the faith, they hope to bridge the unique teachings and doctrines of the LDS Church with some of the most controversial topics of our time.  The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the presenters and do not represent the views of their employers or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints   Music:  Alan Hawkshaw    / alan hawkshaw - topic   Links: Utah AI-powered, autonomous prescription renewals partnership with Doctronic: https://commerce.utah.gov/2026/01/06/news-release-utah-and-doctronic-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-for-ai-prescription-medication-renewals/ The Church developed “Principles for Church Use of Artificial Intelligence” highlighting transparency and the importance of spiritual connection. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/artificial-intelligence?lang=eng Stanford study on AI therapists  https://hai.stanford.edu/news/exploring-the-dangers-of-ai-in-mental-health-care PowerPoint on AI and Pain: AI Rx.pptx

    1h 16m

  4. Feb 10

    Evolution—Adam and Eve not Adam and Gene!

    For our first episode we are going back, way back to the very first bioethical debate within the LDS Church, evolution. In this episode we will cover the history of First Presidency statements on evolution, the arguments that erupted between apostles on the subject, and how modern members of the Church view it. We will also discuss our own views on evolution and how faith and scientific facts can and should be reconciled.  About the hosts: Brad, a PhD bioethicist and medical school professor and Calli, a PhD candidate in bioethics and genetics data analyst, explore the world of bioethics through the lens of LDS theology and faith. As life-long active members of the LDS Church, and some of the few bioethicists that are part of the faith, they hope to bridge the unique teachings and doctrines of the LDS Church with some of the most controversial topics of our time.  The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the presenters and do not represent the views of their employers or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

    1h 3m
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Back Pew Bioethics is a place for Latter-day Saints (Mormons), or anyone else interested in the unique theology and history of the LDS Church, to join in conversations around some of the most controversial topics of our day—abortion, gender affirming care, vaccines, physician assisted suicide, AI, genetic modification, and more. Each episode Brad and Calli, two trained LDS bioethics, will jump into those thorny discussions that often happen at the back of the cultural hall. Come to learn something new, or have your faith deepened (hopefully), or to just be surprised.

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