Is a new age coming at BYU?! Enjoy!

This lively episode of WARD RADIO brings together hosts Cardon Ellis with guests Cade and Dalton Williams (who introduces MMA fighter Kwai Thompson—aka "the Throwin' Samoan"). They dive into an unexpected yet insightful discussion about how serving as missionaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints equips young men and women with the resilience, humility, and toughness needed to thrive in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA).

Cardon Ellis, Hayden Holm, and Tanner dive deep into the kind of comedy and cultural expectations that surround men in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), and why so many young men (and elders) feel alienated, bored, or misunderstood.The episode kicks off with Hayden Holm sharing a “cringe” church-adjacent comedy video (“Laughing All the Way”), which they all agree is emblematic of a deeper problem (and not an official church production): church humor is safe, predictable, and above all, risk-averse. The group discusses how this lack of authenticity and edge in humor makes it almost impossible to engage young men who are looking for something genuine, risky, and relatable.

In this episode, Cardon Ellis hosts Hayden Holm in a lively and insightful discussion about the 1991 movie “Hook,” starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. The central theme of the conversation is how “Hook” contains powerful, “hidden lessons” for fathers—especially within the context of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but also relevant to any father or leader of young men.

Hayden Holm lays out a creative framework for fatherhood, inspired by three main duties Peter Pan must relearn in the film: how to fly, fight, and crow.

This episode dives deep into what Bart Marcos describes as a “crisis of missing Moroni” within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—a metaphor for the declining willingness among members to stand up and actively defend personal liberty, faith, and foundational values. Drawing inspiration from Captain Moroni, a Book of Mormon figure renowned for his courageous leadership and resolve, Bart Marcos laments that too many church members now shrink from any perceived conflict, opting for comfort, consensus, and “niceness” rather than righteous confrontation or advocacy.

Cardon Ellis, Hayden Holm, and Tanner dive into the complex topic of how church culture’s “nice guy” approach is inadvertently driving men—especially young men—away from feeling connected and invigorated in their faith communities. The conversation is sparked by a church-adjacent comedy clip, which the hosts quickly describe as “cringe,” “safe,” and lacking any risk or genuine unpredictability—the ingredients that make humor truly meaningful and magnetic.

Christian and Travis, from the "Holy Rebellion" Instagram page confront Cardon Ellis, host of Ward Radio, on "internet peacemaking" and how it relates to 2026 apologetics. This was a great conversation.... we hope you enjoy it!

Cardon Ellis sits down with Judge Vaughn R. Walker, widely known within certain circles as one of the architects behind the grassroots strategy for California’s Proposition 8. The episode isn’t just a recounting of tactical moves—it’s a deeply human journey through the behind-the-scenes choices, personal sacrifices, and enormous social repercussions tied to one of the most significant and controversial political campaigns of recent American history.Right from the start, the conversation addresses the loaded term “mastermind.” Judge Vaughn R. Walker humbly rejects it, clarifying that while he played a critical role in developing and executing the grassroots strategy, he was far from alone and quick to emphasize the collective effort involved.

Comedians Gwyneth White (Gwowls) and Sage Adams (Return With Sage) stop by the Ward Radio Studio to talk about their recent uploads using satire to share and defend the gospel... and guess what?... It actually WORKS.

This episode is a nostalgic, lighthearted, and engaging dive into the world of vintage Mormon culture through the lens of an unexpected eBay find—15 issues from the 1979-1980 “California Intermountain News,” a little-known Mormon newspaper from California. Cardon Ellis, joined by Hayden Holm, unboxes the newspapers and reacts in real time, giving listeners a candid look at the quirky, homespun aspects of Latter-day Saint history and community life in California.