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In this episode, hosts Shawn, Matt, & Melanie are back together and jump right into a thought-provoking mailbag question about the podcast's "most listened to" status. Matt backs up the claim with some surprising metrics, and the hosts share their differing views on promoting the show.

They then dive into three major topics:

• Russia: The hosts discuss a Russian journalist's argument that Putin may be overconfident, and pose a question: Is a Third World War or an internal Russian uprising more likely? Melanie and Shawn believe neither is probable, while Matt leans toward an uprising, referencing historical Russian revolutions. Shawn shares a poignant story about a Pet Shop Boys song dedicated to Alexei Navalny.
• LDS Political Beliefs: A new study on political concerns among Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals reveals some interesting differences. The hosts discuss whether these differences are due to LDS doctrine (like self-reliance and identity as a child of God) or LDS culture (pioneer heritage and refugee stories).
• The Labor Market: With a sluggish job market and rising long-term unemployment, the hosts grapple with the classic debate: can a political party fix the economy? Melanie and Shawn urge patience and emphasize that political parties aren't the answer, while Matt points out the rapid economic shift following a recent change in administration.
• The Big Question: The conversation concludes with a discussion about Israel and the "signs of the times." With global tensions rising, Matt asks if the current state of affairs in Israel looks like the beginning of the end. He references prophecies from Revelation and Zechariah. Shawn and Melanie respond with a unified message: while the signs are there, our focus should be on personal conversion and sharing the gospel, not on predicting timelines.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Podcast Metrics
02:50 The Power of Propaganda and Political Change
05:42 Cultural Perspectives on Political Issues
08:28 The Role of Doctrine in Political Identity
11:15 Historical Context of Russian Uprisings
14:04 LDS vs. Evangelical Political Concerns
17:10 Cultural Identity and Political Extremism
19:51 Job Market Challenges for Graduates
20:38 The Current Job Market Landscape
23:26 Political Implications on Economic Expectations
26:59 The Role of Political Parties in Economic Recovery
30:22 The Second Coming: Signs and Interpretations
37:25 Faith and Preparedness in the Latter Days