Скачать или смотреть Episode 150: The Future of Public Service, Venezuela’s Regime Change, and Remembering President H...

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Episode Overview


In this milestone 150th episode, Matt and Shawn reunite after a holiday break in San Diego to ring in the New Year. The discussion traverses personal mission memories of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, the controversial geopolitical shift in Venezuela, the value of national monuments versus social programs, and a deep dive into what truly motivates civic leadership in rural America.


1. Memories of a Modern Apostle


Matt and Shawn reflect on the life and impact of President Jeffrey R. Holland.


2. The Thought Provoker

• Venezuela & Executive Power: The hosts debate President Trump’s recent actions in Venezuela. Matt argues that bypassing Congress violates Article I of the Constitution, while Shawn explores the "spin" of the administration regarding criminal warrants and oil interests.

3. Monuments vs. Mandates: Is $54 million better spent fixing D.C. fountains or funding local clinics?


Link to information about Stone Mountain (https://www.splcenter.org/resources/s...)


4. The Big Question: What Drives Civic Leadership?


Inspired by a recent Gallup study on rural communities, the hosts discuss why people step into public service.

• The Role of Religion: Matt argues that religion provides both the motivation (to be our brother’s keeper) and the skills (organizing, public speaking, leadership) necessary for service.
• Self-Interest vs. Altruism: Shawn challenges the idea of "pure" public service, citing Ayn Rand’s theory of self-interest.
• The Solution: A paradigm shift back to the "Founders' Model"—building a successful career first, then dedicating later years to serving the community without a need for financial gain.

Chapters


00:00 | Welcome Back & New Year in San Diego Matt and Shawn celebrate the 150th episode and the start of January 2026. They share stories from their holiday hiatus, including an "arm wrestling" match, a visit to the USS Midway, and a debate over Russian beet salad.


04:41 | The Mailbag: Revelation & The Constitution A listener asks if the U.S. Constitution can be both divinely inspired and in need of updates. Matt discusses the Constitution as an "aspirational" document, drawing parallels to the ongoing Restoration of the Gospel.


09:04 | Remembering President Jeffrey R. Holland Shawn and Matt reflect on their personal encounters with Elder Holland during their missions in Ukraine. Shawn recounts a story of a miraculous healing and the powerful "stretcher" talk given in the MTC.


14:26 | Venezuela & Foreign Policy Lies The hosts dive into the recent regime change in Venezuela. They debate the constitutionality of the move and discuss the tension between "America First" rhetoric and international intervention.


21:30 | The Midterm Prediction Matt offers a bold political forecast: why he believes Congress will target Trump’s inner circle with impeachments rather than the President himself.


27:14 | Monuments vs. Social Programs A discussion on the $54 million National Park Service project to repair D.C. fountains. Shawn argues against government spending on aesthetics, while Matt defends monuments as a "Title of Liberty" for the nation.


39:53 | The Big Question: What Drives Civic Leadership? Drawing from a Gallup study, the hosts explore what motivates people in rural communities to run for office.


51:11 | Professional Politicians vs. Public Servants Matt makes a case for the "Founders' Model" of public service—individuals who serve after established careers—while Shawn