Episode 118: Self-Reliance, Racial Gap in Small Business Success, Ukraine's Mineral Deal, and Religious Expression in Academia

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In this episode, Matt, Shawn, and Levi engage in a thought-provoking discussion about three distinct topics that challenge conventional thinking within their community. The conversation begins with Levi's bold assertion that "self-reliance is a Satanic doctrine," arguing that interdependence rather than self-sufficiency is the true gospel principle. This leads to a nuanced debate about what self-reliance actually means in both spiritual and economic contexts, with Matt defending the church's official position while acknowledging potential misinterpretations.

The trio then examines a Gallup/JP Morgan study on entrepreneurship in America, exploring how access to capital and credit scores impact business success, particularly for minority business owners. This evolves into a broader discussion about financial literacy education and whether schools should prioritize teaching practical money management skills.

Finally, they challenge the common perception among church members that academia is hostile to religious expression. Drawing from their personal experiences in higher education, Matt and Levi suggest that secular academic institutions are often more welcoming of diverse religious perspectives than commonly believed, potentially more so than religious institutions themselves.

Throughout the episode, the hosts maintain their characteristic blend of serious theological discussion, political commentary, and good-natured ribbing, demonstrating their different ideological perspectives while maintaining mutual respect.

Episode Topics:

• The concept of self-reliance in LDS doctrine and its potential misapplications
• Financial literacy, credit scores, and their impact on entrepreneurial success
• Religious expression in secular academic settings
• The Ukraine-US Mineral Agreement and its implications

Chapters

00:01 - Introduction and catching up 

09:11 - Levi's controversial take on self-reliance as a doctrine 

26:19 - Discussion of entrepreneurship, capital access, and credit scores 

41:15 - The US-Ukraine Mineral Agreement and Trump's foreign policy 

48:01 - Religious expression in secular academia