NoSmallTalk Podcast

In this episode, Dallin and Chris start the episode discussing Chris's recent (not-so-great) crypto experiences, how recent policies made by President Trump have caused some upheaval in the world, and of course rehash Dallin's loathing of taxes. The conversation then delves into the topic of tithing, reflecting on its significance, the principle of sacrifice, and the importance of giving back to the community. A rare episode where both Dallin and Chris find some common ground on a topic that can be so controversial to many.

In this episode, Dallin and Chris explore the role of "control" in religion, the environment of church, and the necessity of having open discussions about faith and doubt. The conversation delves into the concepts of deconstruction and reprioritization of faith, the pursuit of meaning and purpose in life, and the nature of belief in seeking truth. If anyone would like to offer social media assistance please DM us or reach out!

In this episode, Dallin and Chris dive into their results from the new "Mormon Compass Quiz." The matrix comprises of two spectrums, Mercy - Justice and Progressive - Orthodox. They are surprised by where each of them lands on the matrix and discuss their initial expectations of where the other would fall. Dallin and Chris walk through several thought-provoking questions from the quiz, offering insights into their answers. Topics include: "Can the prophet lead you astray? Was Brigham Young a racist? Are all mistakes equal in the eyes of God? Is it okay to pray to Heavenly Mother?" and much more! Join them as they reflect on their responses and share their perspectives—feel free to answer the questions alongside them! Take the quiz yourself and see where you land:⁠⁠Quiz Link⁠ For a deeper dive into understanding the matrix, check out this video:⁠Video Link⁠

In this episode, Chris and Dallin delve into various themes surrounding politics, media influence, the impact of COVID-19, and the nature of authenticity. They discuss the portrayal of Donald Trump, the role of media in shaping public perception, and the importance of understanding differing political views. The conversation also touches on personal values, the challenges of maintaining friendships amidst disagreements, and the complexities of living authentically in a world filled with societal expectations.

In this episode, we dive a little deeper into Dallin's life and his journey of self-discipline. We discuss how his OCD has had both positive and negative impacts in his life as he has matured. We also discuss a debate between by Jordan Peterson and Richard Dawkins. We explore how objects and stories can have levels of impact and multiple meanings. We are also starting a new book this season, "The Sacred and the Profane" by Mircea Eliade. This book was heavily recommended by Jordan Peterson. We encourage everyone to read along!

We are back baby! Season 2 coming in hot with new topics, motivation, and microphones. The conversation starts with a discussion about topics we plan to talk about this season: High-level politics, conspiracy theories, family, and of course, religion. In this episode, we discuss our thoughts on taxes, cloud seeding, Chris's fear of death, a fun hypothetical, Dallin's dance with reality, and of course, what we think about the Book of Mormon.

In this podcast, Dallin and Chris discuss the topics of identity, tribalism, and the Book of Mormon. They start the episode off talking about social identity theory: the theory that being part of a group has powerful effects on people’s identities and behaviors and how that could potentially be correlated with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They discuss the values of inclusion and exclusion and the role that may or may not have in God's love for his children. The conversation then shifts to a discussion about the Book of Mormon and the potential truth claims the book purports.

Dallin and Chris discuss the controversy surrounding Joseph Smith's methods of bringing about the Book of Mormon. They debate whether it matters how it came to be - for example, if the Book of Mormon turned out to be historically false, does that have implications around its value as a witness of Jesus Christ? If Joseph Smith was a fraud, does that necessarily negate the truthfulness that can be found in the Book of Mormon? Does God have "One True Church" or does he rather work through multiple sources to bring about his gospel? These are a few of the questions that lead the discussion in this episode.

In this episode, Dallin and Chris play a game based on a recent Viral YouTube video from Jubilee. They give their honest answers and explanations to tough and touchy topics. The questions and associated timestamps in the podcast are: Does Dallin actually have two church callings? 5:10 Is the Mormon Church a cult? 14:10 Does the Mormon community welcome the LGBTQ community? 22:10 Are Women and Men equal in the Church? 38:30 Does representation matter? 42:00 Is there a difference between priesthood and prayer? 48:00 Is God heavily involved in the good and bad events in our lives? 1:06:00 YouTube video that this video was based on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Run1f29po8g&ab_channel=Jubilee

In this episode, Dallin and Chris interview Tal Haslam, a New York-based entrepreneur and musician. Tal dives into his personal experience with religious scrupulosity and OCD. He discusses the impact his mental illnesses have had with his relationship with God and his journey to find balance in daily discipleship. The conversation touches on the widespread nature of scrupulosity, shedding light on the challenges faced by many who might be unaware of this condition. They discuss the challenges of overcoming scrupulosity and how each of them has come to find much more peace and tranquility in their personal and spiritual lives. The podcast concludes with a discussion about finding the balance between strict obedience and "lukewarm discipleship" while maintaining a productive and healthy relationship with God. You can find Tal's Podcast "Talcast" here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4OW24tglANerLec3xgEsrQ?si=QHmN02cJQHGb1TUqpFO53w

In this episode, Dallin and Chris engage in a discussion with guest Christian Tobler. They talk about the significance of covenants and rituals and the role consent plays. They dive deeper into the concept of consent and discuss how intentions and knowledge play a part in covenant-making with God. The conversation also touches on the nuanced nature of faith, the role of reason, and a potential dismissal of what others may term as blind faith.

In this episode, Dallin and Chris explore Jeremy's experience of being gay and navigating the reconciliation of his sexual orientation as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeremy opens up about his life as a once-closeted gay Christian, shedding light on the spiritual and mental challenges he continues to face. He shares his thoughts on the dilemma of either acting on his homosexuality, perceived by many as sinful, or suppressing it in adherence to his faith. The conversation settles on reflections about the differences between the role sex is taught by society to play in relationships and the role it ought to play in love and relationships. The discussion also explores evolving perspectives on marriage and love within religious frameworks and the potential for additional revelations.

In this podcast, Dallin and Chris get heated when debating the significance of real-life events, particularly in the context of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. They express their fundamentally different perspectives on the role of historical realities in establishing what is true. They attempt to answer the question: Does the historical event itself have a greater impact on our beliefs, or is it the narrative about the event that brings about more significant changes in people?

In this episode, Dallin and Chris discuss whether or not they should talk about the CES letter and its criticisms of the Church for content in their podcast. The conversation delves into the Book of Mormon's origins, dismissing concerns raised by the CES letter. They have differing opinions on whether or not it's important to focus solely on the teachings and the principles of truth, rather than if the events in the book historically happened or not.

This episode features the first guest to the podcast, Ty Ravsten. The discussion primarily revolves around the concept of sin challenging the conventional black-and-white perspective often associated with it. They explore how societal and religious programming has influenced individuals to perceive sin in a rigid manner, often leading to unnecessary shame and guilt. They dive into strategies that can foster a healthier mindset regarding individuals' relationships with both God and themselves amidst life's challenges.

In this episode, Dallin and Chris review the first two chapters of an insightful and powerful book, All Things New. In addition to reviewing the first two chapters of the book, they also dive into topics such as the differences between modern-day philosopher Jordan Peterson and Prophet Russell M. Nelson, the character of God, what loving God means and looks like, and the definition and role of obedience in our paths of discipleship. Finally, they discuss a potentially controversial statement made by a friend's bishop and if it has any connection with people's beliefs regarding prophets.

In this episode, Dallin and Chris discuss what the definition of prayer is, and how it looks to them in their day-to-day lives. Each shares personal experiences where they have felt aligned with God and his will. They discuss the value of pain and suffering in life and how real they believe faith requires action and the continuous seeking of God's will instead of living in blind blissful ignorance.

Dallin and Chris discuss the various hierarchal structures that get applied when we decide how to interpret God's word. The conversation settles on the question of how we are to arrive at the truth while balancing the different lines of communication God uses to give us His word.

Chris and Dallin share a few personal stories about where they stand with God, and organized religion. Dallin shares his struggle with scrupulosity and Chris shares an experience where he believes God directly answered his prayer. They discuss a few unorthodox ways to keep covenants and whether it's possible to keep your covenants with God and not go to Church. The episode ends with a conversation about whether or not the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true, in a literal sense - and what that means to them.

In this episode, Chris and Dallin talk about the role organized religion plays in becoming what God wants us to become. They use the talk Russell M. Nelson gave in his most recent conference address about 'thinking celestial' as a reference and a back drop for the entire discussion. What does God care most about? What role do ordinances and covenants play in someone's salvation or exaltation? Do you have to participate in 'Mormon' rituals and ceremonies to become what God wants? Why do these questions matter? These are all questions they used to guide the conversation.

A short ramble about why we decided to launch a podcast, instead of keeping our conversations private. We discuss where the idea originated from, the topics we hope to cover, and the personal reasons why we think its important to bring our thoughts and ideas to the public.