The Cultural Hall Podcast

Richie T Steadman
  • 4.6 (418)
  • Christianity
  • Weekly

A place for members and non-members, mormons and non-mormons to discuss ANYTHING to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

  1. 4h ago

    But It’s The Pelvic Thrust – AoN -1082

    Halloween Shenanigans As Halloween approaches, the duo shares their family plans. Kurt reveals that his family is dressing up as characters from The Office, while Richie admits to avoiding the festivities altogether. “Take me as I am, Richie. Okay? I don’t need to show up differently for the world,” Kurt declares, embracing authenticity. While discussing chili cook-offs, Kurt shares his secret strategy: “You bring a muffin tin, okay? You get a little bit of each [chili], determine which one you like the best, and go back for more of that.” This innovative approach not only maximizes flavor but also earns him some serious street cred among his friends. Church Reflections Transitioning from Halloween to church, Richie shares a recent experience where the youth took charge of a meeting. “I thought this was cool that they thought out of the box and did this today,” he says, reflecting on the positive impact of youth involvement. However, some listeners criticized the innovation, citing strict adherence to tradition. Richie passionately argues against rigid norms: “It should not be groundbreaking to ask the people that worship with you what they might like.” Kurt agrees, highlighting how straightforward adjustments in church dynamics can foster inclusivity. Final Thoughts As they wrap up, Richie shares an anecdote about a wedding he’s officiating for a self-identified witch, leading to humorous reflections on belief and tradition. This episode is filled with laughter, insightful discussions, and practical tips for navigating both holiday festivities and community engagements. For more stories, insights, and a deeper dive into this conversation, be sure to tune into the full episode! The post But It’s The Pelvic Thrust – AoN -1082 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

  2. 2d ago

    The Next Ten Years – Davis Smith – 1081

    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 Returning back to the United States, brought an unexpected mental toll. Davis opens up about the jarring emotional shift from a highly structured, purpose-driven environment to the quiet reality of regular life, describing the temporary feelings of guilt and emptiness many experience upon returning. A Guide for the Next Decade To help returning missionaries navigate this exact struggle, Davis introduces his newly written book. Serving as a practical mentor, the book offers “life lessons” on networking, maintaining spiritual discipline, and achieving financial freedom through early index fund investing. Buy The Next 10 Years Embracing Discomfort True to his thrill-seeking nature, Davis shares wild adventure stories—from spearfishing in the Bahamas to floating the Amazon for piranha—emphasizing that intentionally seeking out hard things is the ultimate catalyst for personal growth. The post The Next Ten Years – Davis Smith – 1081 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

  3. 6d ago

    Biggest Game at Lavell Edwards Stadium EVER?! – AoN- 1080

    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 Molly opens up about the heavy emotional toll of serving as a Relief Society President, describing a grueling week that involved filing a missing person’s report and supporting a family at a substance abuse center. Lightening the mood, the hosts play a Notre Dame-themed round of “Smooch, Marry, Kill” featuring leprechaun versions of a mission companion, a Relief Society President, and a Primary child. Verlin humorously decides to kill the mission companion, smooch the Relief Society President, and marry the Primary child. London Travels and the Notre Dame Matchup Verlin recounts his recent two-week trip to England, highlighting a reunion with his childhood Primary teacher. He funded the overseas adventure by selling his tickets to the highly anticipated BYU vs. Notre Dame game, ultimately waking up at 12:30 AM in London to watch the broadcast. The hosts agree this matchup eclipses the BYU vs. Utah rivalry in national importance, noting the stadium’s deafening, Virginia Tech-level atmosphere. They also highlight unique game-day moments, including a remote opening prayer from a BYU Pathway student praying for Pope Leo, a fan reading the Book of Mormon on camera, and controversial officiating calls involving a fumble-spike just before halftime. The post Biggest Game at Lavell Edwards Stadium EVER?! – AoN- 1080 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

  4. Oct 19

    Arise Heal – Pornography and Sexual Compulsion – Reuben Aiton – 1079

    Take the free Assessment Learn More 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 eventually numb the brain’s receptors and trap individuals in a downward cycle of consumption and shame. The conversation shifts the paradigm from viewing this struggle as a simple moral failing to understanding it as a matter of brain chemistry and disconnection. Reuben explains that when individuals are overwhelmed by the urge to view pornography, their “middle brain” activates a protective “freeze” response, effectively shutting down the frontal lobe where genuine connection with God, oneself, and others takes place. True recovery, Reuben argues, is not about fighting the temptation directly or sitting paralyzed in a thought spiral, but about engaging the body and mind to rebuild synaptic connections and find healthy sources of dopamine. Through an 84-day process of self-mastery and addressing the root causes of pain and disconnection, Reuben offers a realistic, grace-filled roadmap for lasting healing. The post Arise Heal – Pornography and Sexual Compulsion – Reuben Aiton – 1079 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

  5. Oct 17

    Lady Liberty and the Angel Moroni walk into a Temple – Temple Ticker – 1078

    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 on October 18th Temple Open House Begins Modesto California Temple Media day on October 13th  Interior photos released almond blossoms, strawberries, agricultural fields, canal systems, local railroads and waterways flowing from the Sierra Nevada region. Linear patterns in the millwork give a nod to agricultural fields and irrigation systems of California’s Central Valley, and several pieces of artwork also tie to the valley’s landscape, waterways, orchards and agriculture. Cherrywood is used for the doors and stained millwork, while painted millwork uses paint-grade maple and poplar. Temple Groundbreakings Maceió Brazil Temple Held on October 10th, presided by B. Corey Cuvelier  Next to a Statue of Liberty  Iquitos Peru Temple Held on October 10th, presided by Sandino Román Largest city not connected to roads University Dean participates Cuernavaca Mexico Temple Scheduled for November 14th, presided by Moisés Villanueva Eket Nigeria Temple Scheduled for November 28th, presided by D. Martin Goury Rendering Released 18.850 sq. ft. single story building and rectangular spire with a diamond tessellation design  Calabar Nigeria Temple Scheduled for December 5th, presided by Christian C. Chigbundu Viña del Mar Chile Temple Scheduled for December 5th, presided by Sergio R. Vargas  Rendering Released 30,000 sq. ft. two-story rectangular building with double domes topped with cupulas Design influenced by the prominent French neoclassical and Venetian gothic architecture in the coast of chile Temple Renderings released Goiânia Brazil Temple 18,850 sq. ft. single story building with simple modern white spire Campo Grande Brazil Temple 11,300 sq. ft. single story building with spire with art glass Temple Site Announced Otalavo Ecuador Temple 6.05 Acre near Calle Bolivar and Calle Abya Yala Adjacent to the stake center for the Otavalo Ecuador Imbabura Stake Former hotel/wellness resort/ wellness center Temple Leaders Called Queretaro Mexico Temple Glendon Lyons Castillo and Guadalupe Ochoa López de Lyons of the Jurica Ward, Querétaro México Stake Orlando Florida Temple Victor Phillip Patrick and Elizabeth Fletcher Patrick of the South Tampa Ward, Tampa Florida Stake Construction Updates Yuma Arizona Temple Preliminary site development happening Huehuetenango Guatemala Temple Causing street flooding? Update: the construction workers have fixed the street.  Antananarivo Madagascar temple Prefabricated modules installed Lehi Utah Temple Site construction continues without a groundbreaking Spanish Fork Utah Temple City council approves zoning change for Master plan development called Oak Village  Sunnyvale California Temple The Planning Commission approved plans with conditions on September 28th after a 5.5 hour meeting. Allowing a 129 foot spire.  Cody Wyoming 18,500 people toured the temple Threatening man found competent to stand trial   Tale of two temple renovations Stockholm Sweden Temple Gold Angel Moroni place on new reconstructed temple Manhattan New York Temple New, taller spire installed on temple without Angel Moroni Two Anchorage Temples  Salt Lake Temple Mary and Martha Statue  Mostly open temple square during conference  Shoutout to Dedicate series from President Oaks More tickets released  Transportation plan to handle 22,000 people per day North Temple/Redwood Road parking with 1710 stalls with shuttle service from 7am to 10:30pm Bike Valet on Park Plaza Hotel site Commercial bus parking and drop off site behind church history library, volunteer parking nearby.  Secure Parameter around temple square with welcome gateway The post Lady Liberty and the Angel Moroni walk into a Temple – Temple Ticker – 1078 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

  6. Oct 13

    Unscripted Uchtdorf for the Win – AoN 1077

    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 march toward that 3,000 follower milestone, while our Facebook page sits comfortably over 9,000. Some of the recent clips have absolutely taken off, including a look at the Highland Park Chapel in Sugarhouse that quickly racked up 32,000 views. We also send a massive thank you to BobDix for his generous donation to help fund The Cultural Hall Vault, and take a quick minute to highlight my own business, Best DJ in Utah, fresh off rocking Diana’s 50th high school reunion. For the news segment, we dive deep into former guest Dan McClellan—who you might remember from episode 666—and the massive reach of his Data Over Dogma platform. Dan recently spent three hours on the Joe Rogan Experience, where he actively pushed back against theories regarding the psychedelic mushroom origins of Christianity. We chat about Dan hitting the golf course with Rhett from the YouTube duo Rhett & Link, touching on their highly public faith deconstruction. Taking things back to the local ward level, Taylor shares a wild Sunday School moment where a member bluntly suggested the class just agree the story of the flood didn’t actually happen. We wrap up the episode with some General Conference thoughts, specifically highlighting a fantastic quote from Sister Runia that really resonated. Finally, we touch on the bizarre recent arrest of Ammon Bundy, a two-time former guest of the show, who was pulled over in Utah while driving an unregistered car and told authorities he was operating as his own nation under God. The post Unscripted Uchtdorf for the Win – AoN 1077 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

  7. Oct 10

    Dialogue – A Journal of Mormon Thought – Caroline Kline – Margaret Olsen –

    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 a pivotal article on Mormonism’s racial restrictions, proving the policy traced back to Brigham Young rather than Joseph Smith. This specific research directly influenced President Spencer W. Kimball. The following year, the 1974 “Pink Issue” brought Mormon feminism to the forefront and helped birth the Exponent II publication. Today, Dialogue operates as a safe space for members who have deep questions or feel alienated by institutional silence. Olsen and Kline share how the journal’s willingness to publish raw personal essays fosters intellectual maturity, providing explicit platforms for LGBTQ and Indigenous perspectives. The journal is completely free online, publishing four times a year through the University of Illinois Press, with physical color subscriptions available for print readers. Beyond the written word, the organization hosts a podcast and twice-monthly Sunday Gospel Study sessions. The post Dialogue – A Journal of Mormon Thought – Caroline Kline – Margaret Olsen – appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

  8. Oct 7

    Just Got Back from Pajama Church and Boy are my arms Tired AoN 1075

    ↑ Back to top 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 conference hub  |  Church Newsroom: leadership meeting  |  ABC4: what to expect  (Oct 1-4, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1B. President Christofferson: “Gambling Is Morally Wrong”  [NEW] President Christofferson closed the Saturday morning session by saying he felt compelled to speak boldly about the explosion of gambling in recent years. He said cell phones have made it more pervasive and that it hits youth and young adults hardest. In his words, gambling is morally wrong, easily becomes compulsive, and crowds out things of value while fostering greed. See 4A for the prediction-markets angle. His ask went beyond “don’t.” He urged members to use the time and money saved for doing good and being “anxiously engaged in a good cause.” He said even gambling for fun leads in the wrong direction. Background for the conversation: the General Handbook’s opposition specifically includes sports betting and government lotteries. A Salt Lake Tribune column from 2025 cited the Next Mormons Survey, where the share of Latter-day Saints calling gambling morally wrong fell from 56% in 2016 to 44% in 2022-23. So this talk pushes against a real drift among members. Sources: Church Newsroom  |  Church News  |  KSL  |  Salt Lake Tribune (2025 background)  (Oct 3, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1C. President Oaks Closes Conference: “Come Unto Christ”  [NEW] President Dallin H. Oaks invited members worldwide to believe in, act on and share the truths of the Book of Mormon. The Newsroom’s summary quotes him: “Strong faith requires more than strong desire. It means daily trying, one step at a time, with prayer and scriptural learning.” He said overcoming doubt is a long process that takes both faith and humility. He also said knowledge comes through both scientific and spiritual methods, that God expects us to learn by both, and that secular learning should not limit spiritual understanding. He urged members to renew covenants by partaking of the sacrament weekly. Good tie-in for the AI item in Culture & Curiosities, since both are about how we learn. Sources: Church Newsroom: President Oaks’ teachings  (Oct 3-4, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1D. President Oaks, Sunday Morning: “The Gospel of Jesus Christ Is for All”  [NEW] President Oaks spoke Sunday morning on why the gospel and Christ’s grace are for everyone. He said the Church is home to the Savior’s restored doctrine and authority, and he used the Book of Mormon to make the case, including 2 Nephi 9:5 on Christ dying for all. The Newsroom framed his talks as an invitation from the prophet to the world. Sources: Church News  |  Church Newsroom  (Oct 4, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1E. Eyring and Uchtdorf on Comfort and Unity  [NEW] President Eyring’s Sunday morning talk, “Fear Not, I Am With Thee,” set a comfort theme that Church News tied to other talks about courage in trying times. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke Sunday afternoon on “Christ-Centered Unity.” He called the sacrament the one ordinance that is not individual, because the congregation is addressed together, and said it is a weekly reminder that no one is alone. Sources: KSL: Sunday afternoon summary  |  Church News: comfort and courage  (Oct 4, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1F. Elder Gilbert: “Teach Truth With Love”  [NEW] Elder Clark G. Gilbert said disciples need both truth and love and that standing for truth with kindness takes more courage than standing for it harshly. He gave five suggestions: avoid contentious settings, find common ground, be a light by keeping your own covenants, hold to truth even in outreach, and stay anchored in Christ. He predicted this combination will mark Christ’s disciples in the last days. Worth pairing with Elder Rasband’s talk (1K), since both are about how to treat people who see things differently. Sources: KSL: Sunday afternoon summary  |  Church News: talk summary  (Oct 4, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1G. Elder Bednar: A Spouse’s Unrighteousness Cannot Cost You Blessings  [NEW] Elder David A. Bednar spoke on being sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. He compared ordinances to a passport, saying ongoing faithfulness is what makes the credentials work. His headline line for members whose spouses have left the covenant path: no faithful disciple will be deprived of an eternal blessing because of someone else’s unrighteous use of agency. He also said the ratifying happens over time and is not a single event. Sources: KSL: Sunday afternoon summary  |  Church News: talk summary  (Oct 4, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1H. Saturday Highlights — Fasting, Testimony, Missions, Waiting on Miracles  [NEW] Elder Ulisses Soares called fasting an act of worship and tied fast offerings to love for the Lord. Elder Gérald Caussé said testifying is a “duty and privilege” of every disciple. Bishop Sean Douglas of the Presiding Bishopric invited the rising generation to prioritize a mission. Elder Kevin J. Hathaway said some miracles come only after long waiting and that the Lord is not delayed in His deliverance. Sister Tamara Runia described hard experiences as a kind of sculpting of the soul. Saturday afternoon: Elder Patrick Kearon compared the faith journey to piloting a glider, warning that if you are not actively climbing in lift, you are descending. Elder Dale G. Renlund used a heart-transplant patient complaining about cold oatmeal to make a point about perspective during hardship. Elder Patricio Giuffra called tithing evidence that we accept the law of sacrifice. Sources: Church Newsroom: Saturday morning summary  |  Church News conference hub  (Oct 3, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1I. Sunday Afternoon Variety — Primary, Teaching, Tithing, Young Women  [NEW] Elder Gary E. Stevenson directed his talk to Primary children. Brother Gabriel W. Reid of the Sunday School presidency joked that a headline once called him an NFL player next to a presidency of scholars, then said you are good enough to teach if you love the Savior and your students. Elder Paul H. Sinclair urged members to be quick to help and slow to judge. Elder Moisés Villanueva told of his mother paying full tithing while raising eight children. Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus gave young women seven suggestions, including limiting cell phone use and protecting sleep. That lines up neatly with the gambling talk, since both point at phones. Sources: KSL: Sunday afternoon summary  (Oct 4, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1J. October 2026 World Report Released  [NEW] The semiannual World Report video came out September 30 in 11 languages and airs on the Church satellite system between conference sessions. It covers the past six months. Highlights: President Oaks spoke September 16 at the Washington National Cathedral, calling for civility and common ground in protecting religious freedom. Elder Bednar ministered in Chile and Argentina, Elder Stevenson visited Australia, New Caledonia, Samoa and American Samoa, and Sister Kristin M. Yee met members across Germany, Austria, Cyprus and Spain. The America250 effort delivered 250 food donations to food banks, reaching all 50 states by June. Sister Camille N. Johnson announced an added $65 million in August, bringing the three-year women and children commitment to $184 million, which the report says benefits more than 52 million people. The Newsroom also previewed a story on children in Argentina getting custom hearing aids through Light the World Giving Machine donations. More from the report: the Navajo Nation in Arizona hit its 100th solar home, with Heart of America having equipped more than 450 homes across the reservation. Ghana got motor tricycle ambulances for maternal care, and a refugee camp there has a 3D printing lab. BYU-Pathway enrollment in Nigeria grew from under 3,000 to more than 20,000 students in four years. And a digital archive called “Native Saints: Washakie Ward” documents a Shoshone congregation in northern Utah that was established in 1880. Sources: Church News: World Report summary  |  Church Newsroom: World Report  |  Church Newsroom: Argentina preview  |  LDS Daily: World Report stories  (Sep 28-30, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1K. Elder Rasband: “Never, Never Give Up on Those You Love”  [NEW] The Salt Lake Tribune led its Saturday summary with Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s afternoon talk about loved ones who have drifted from the faith. He said persuasive pressure and coercive efforts “can cause a greater rift,” and urged members to entrust wayward family members to Jesus Christ, with the Savior’s line “I’ve got this!” His closing charge: “Never, never give up on those you love.” Good pairing with Elder Gilbert’s “Teach Truth With Love” talk and with Elder Bednar’s message to members whose spouses have left the covenant path. The Tribune also noted that only one woman spoke in the Saturday afternoon session. Sources: Salt Lake Tribune: Saturday summary  (Oct 3, 2026) ↑ Back to top 1L. Sister Chibota, the First African Leader of a General Organization, Speaks  [NEW] Rosemary K. Chibota, president of the Primary, spoke Sunday morning on “A Child of God.” She was sustained in April as the first person from the African continent to lead any of the Church’s general organizations, and she began

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About

A place for members and non-members, mormons and non-mormons to discuss ANYTHING to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Information

  • Creator
    Richie T Steadman
  • Years Active
    2011 - 2026
  • Episodes
    309
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 607268
  • Show Website
    The Cultural Hall Podcast

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