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In this segment from a recent Saints & Screens panel discussion, we react to the viral interview between John Dehlin and David Archuleta and tackle a difficult question: Are people who leave the Church lost forever? Many who walk away from faith don’t just quietly leave—they often burn bridges, criticize the Church publicly, and sometimes spread claims that members feel are unfair or inaccurate. So why does that happen? In this conversation we discuss: • Why some people who leave the Church become openly hostile • Why bridges between believers and former members often get burned • Whether those relationships can ever be repaired • Why criticism of the Church sometimes becomes exaggerated or misleading • What a Christlike response from members should look like We believe it’s important to talk honestly about why these dynamics happen and how members should respond with both truth and charity. Can those bridges ever be rebuilt? Let’s talk about it.

Last week’s episode sparked a lot of discussion, so we’ve broken the conversation into smaller segments. In this clip, we tackle a question many Latter-day Saints are asking right now: Should we be boycotting entertainment companies and events? The conversation starts with reactions to the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny, but quickly expands into bigger questions about Netflix, Disney, and modern entertainment culture. Do boycotts actually work? Should Christians participate in them? Are they effective—or just symbolic? And most importantly… what would the Lord want us to do? Joining the discussion: • Rylan from Ether’s Elephant • Preston from the Marvelous Wonder Podcast • Brenden from The Bombshell Flowers Together we explore the tension between engaging with culture and standing for our values as disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us know your thoughts in the comments: Do you think Christians should boycott certain entertainment companies or events? The Bombshell Flowers: https://www.brendenblackham.com/music-portfolio/ Brother Jacobs Jams: https://www.jacobscreativestudio.com/brotherjacobsjams

In this episode, I sit down with Rylan from Ethers Elephant, Preston from Marvelous Wonder Podcast, and Brenden Blackham for a candid, fun, and honest conversation about faith, entertainment, and spiritual health in today’s culture. We tackle some of the biggest conversations happening right now among Latter-day Saints: • Was Batchlor right about promoting boisterous music in sacrament meeting? • How should members respond to David Archuleta’s new book criticizing the Church? • Do boycotts work? Let us know in the comments: 👉 Is Batchlor wrong? 👉 Should members boycott certain entertainment? 👉 How do you personally balance faith and pop culture?

You’ve seen the clips. You’ve heard the bars. You’ve shared the video. But you’ve never heard the full story. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Logan Castleton, the viral “rapping missionary” who surprised Latter-day Saints—and skeptics alike—by sharing the gospel through hip-hop. How did he get approval to rap as a missionary? How did his disability and serious health challenges shape his mission? What trials did he face before and during his service? And how did he stay positive while putting himself out there in such a bold way? We go deep into: • The real story behind his viral missionary moment • The Church approval process and leadership support • How his physical challenges became spiritual fuel • The backlash and negativity that comes with going viral • How his example inspired future missionaries • The impact on non-members who were reached through music • What Logan is doing now Logan shares how every single day is a blessing—and how his trials didn’t disqualify him from serving, but actually opened doors he never expected. If you’ve ever wondered how God can use your limitations for something bigger… this story is for you. Watch until the end—you’ll never see “the rapping missionary” the same way again. #lds #missionarywork #LoganCastleton #faithjourney #ViralMissionary #christianhiphop #latterdaysaints #gospelsharing #overcomingtrials

A rap musical number in church? Guitars in Sacrament Meeting? Applause in the chapel? Yes. All of it is allowed. For years, many of us have assumed that if it’s not straight out of the hymnal, it probably doesn’t belong in a Church setting. But recent updates to the Church Handbook paint a much more expansive picture — one that might completely change the way you think about music in worship services, firesides, and special events. In this episode, we break down exactly what the Handbook now says about musical styles, instruments, performance settings, and reverence. You’ll see what’s actually permitted, what boundaries still exist, and why some local leaders may still feel hesitant to embrace these options — even though the direction has come from prophets and apostles themselves. Music has always had the power to soften hearts and invite the Spirit — not just for lifelong members, but for visitors and those who feel on the margins. The question isn’t whether different styles can belong in church. The real question is: are we ready to use the gifts God has already given us?

Every year, millions of people tune in to watch the Oscars, Grammys, and Golden Globes. We celebrate artists, obsess over winners, and treat these moments like cultural events that matter. But at what point does admiration turn into worship? In this episode, we ask a difficult but necessary question: have awards shows become a form of modern idol worship? We break down what worship actually is, why humans are wired to elevate symbols and status, and how the awards ecosystem functions behind the scenes—from campaigning and industry politics to prestige and power. We explore whether pursuing awards automatically constitutes idol worship (spoiler: it doesn’t), and where the real spiritual danger actually lies. Finally, we talk about how artists, creators, and fans can engage with recognition and success without losing their spiritual center. If you care about faith, culture, and staying spiritually grounded in an image-obsessed world, this conversation is for you. #lds #latterdaysaints #faithandculture

Faith-based entertainment has come a long way. For decades, Christian movies, shows, and music were often well-intentioned—but awkward, inaccessible, and frankly… cringey. Yet today, projects like The Chosen prove that faith-centered storytelling can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with mainstream prestige TV in terms of quality, craftsmanship, and emotional impact. So what changed? In this episode, I break down: What actually makes faith-based entertainment feel bad or “cringey” Why Christian media has dramatically improved in recent years The common traps Christian creators still fall into that limit their reach Why subtlety matters more than preaching And why strong technical skills—writing, acting, cinematography, sound, pacing—aren’t optional for effective ministry If Christian entertainment is going to reach people outside the bubble, it can’t be weird, heavy-handed, or lazy. It has to be excellent. Because quality isn’t a compromise—it’s part of the calling. #lds #latterdaysaints #christianentertainment