Behind ‘The Chosen’: Miracles, Milestones, and the Final Season with Dallas Jenkins

Behind ‘The Chosen’: Miracles, Milestones, and the Final Season with Dallas Jenkins

How does a crowd-funded project about Jesus Christ become a global phenomenon? In this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," guest host Sheri Dew sits down with Dallas Jenkins, the creator, director, and co-writer of “The Chosen,” for an intimate, behind-the-scenes conversation as the groundbreaking series films its final season. Dew and Jenkins take a trip down memory lane to early 2020, revealing the untold miracle that allowed “The Chosen” to film its second season on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ historic Jerusalem movie set in Goshen, Utah, during the height of strict COVID-19 lockdowns. Dallas opens up about: * The Global Impact: Breaking a Guinness World Record as the most translated TV show in history (surpassing 125 languages). * Navigating Faith & Criticism: Addressing the evangelical backlash and canceled speaking engagements resulting from his interfaith collaborations. * Filming the Resurrection: The immense creative pressure of adapting the crucifixion and resurrection for Season 6 and Season 7, and how his team captures "Capital-T Truth" over simple logistics. * Family Legacy: How his father, “Left Behind” author Jerry B. Jenkins, maintains humility while writing the official “The Chosen” novelizations. Whether you are a longtime viewer of the series or passionate about how media can change hearts, this episode offers a profound look at what happens when human effort brings the "five loaves and two fish," and God handles the miracle. “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.  “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.  Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).

Is American Christianity Losing the Plot?

Are we trading authentic faith for political tribalism and cultural war? In this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," host McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/]  sits down with renowned theologian and Christianity Today [https://www.christianitytoday.com/]editor at large Dr. Russell Moore [https://www.russellmoore.com/] to explore a shift in American religion: The Casinofication of Church. [https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/04/against-casinofication-church-sports-gambling/] The conversation sparks from a recent Atlantic investigation [https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/04/online-sports-betting-app-addiction/686061/] where Coppins was given $10,000 to experiment with the addictive, transaction-based loops of online sports betting. But as Dr. Moore points out, these same dopamine-driven algorithms aren't just changing how we watch sports — they are hollowing out our congregations. When the gospel and Christian fellowship are weaponized for institutional survival, brand-building, and partisan politics, church communities stop shaping our souls and start serving our anxieties. McKay and Dr. Moore discuss: * The Casinofication Phenomenon: How the modern church is being turned into a vehicle for political outrage and self-image. * The Trap of Political Homelessness: Why authentic Christianity should inherently place us outside the traditional left-right political spectrum. * Algorithmic Faith: How modern technology isolates us from deep spiritual formation and real community. * The Path to Renewal: Why external crises throughout history have forced the church to reckon with its true purpose. Whether you are feeling politically fatigued, spiritually disconnected, or curious about the intersection of faith and modern culture, this episode offers a vital, grounding perspective on how to reclaim what matters most. Follow and Subscribe: Don't miss an episode of “Deseret Voices.” Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.  “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.  Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).

The Death of Local News is Killing American Democracy

Why don’t Americans trust the media anymore? On this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," host McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] sits down with Evan Smith [https://www.theatlantic.com/press-releases/2026/01/evan-smith-managing-director-events/685629/], co-founder of The Texas Tribune [https://www.texastribune.org/] and managing director for events at The Atlantic [https://www.theatlantic.com/], to dissect the ongoing crisis of trust in American journalism. As local newspapers vanish [https://www.deseret.com/business/2025/11/09/local-news-business-continues-struggle-america-newspapers-closing/] and national media outlets face unprecedented strain, a dangerous information vacuum has emerged. Together, Coppins and Smith explore how the hollowing out [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/local-news-investment-economic-value/674942/] of community newsrooms has fueled political polarization, giving rise to misinformation and social media echo chambers. But it’s not all bad news. From nonprofit journalism to hyper-local transparency, discover the emerging media models that are fighting to save American democracy and rebuild the bond between journalists and the communities they serve. In this wide-ranging and candid conversation recorded live on “The Atlantic Across America [https://www.theatlantic.com/press-releases/2025/12/atlantic-across-america-events-every-state/685109/]” tour, Coppins and Smith unpack the structural failures and future possibilities of the American press. “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.  “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.  Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).

Can "The Utah Way" Fix a Broken America?

On this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox [https://governor.utah.gov/] joins host McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that touches on everything from national political polarization to the sudden intersection of rural Utah and artificial intelligence. Despite writing a new book [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/827061/off-ramp-by-spencer-cox-foreword-by-jonathan-haidt/], leading to some speculation, Cox insists he isn't eyeing the White House — but he is looking to export Utah’s unique cultural framework to the rest of a fractured nation. IN THIS EPISODE, COPPINS AND COX DISCUSS: * The Danger of Contempt: Why Cox chose this specific word for his new book, “Off Ramp [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/827061/off-ramp-by-spencer-cox-foreword-by-jonathan-haidt/],” and why looking down on our political rivals is far more dangerous than simply disagreeing with them. * The Future of the GOP: How the pendulum of political overreach keeps swinging and why the Republican party needs to pivot back toward commonsense middle America to achieve lasting success. * The AI and Social Media Battle: Cox defends his dual approach of aggressively restricting social media algorithms to protect kids while simultaneously backing major AI infrastructure and data centers in Utah [https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/05/11/utah-governor-cox-defends-box-elder-data-center-as-important-to-national-security-in-ai-arms-race-with-china/]. * The Gerrymandering Debate: A deep dive into Utah’s controversial redistricting process [https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/03/26/utah-republican-initiative-to-repeal-proposition-4-redistricting-law-fails-after-signature-removal-campaign-despite-trump-endorsement/], the limits of gubernatorial power and whether the chess match of redrawing maps is actually what broke American democracy. * The "Utah Way": What the rest of the United States can learn from Utah’s nation-leading statistics in volunteering, charitable giving and institutional social capital. Enjoyed this conversation? Hit follow or subscribe, leave us a review and share this episode with a friend!

Why the Smiths are Betting Big on Utah Sports

Why are the owners of a multibillion-dollar tech empire doubling down on live sports in an age of AI and digital isolation? In this episode of “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices],” host McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] sits down with Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the Utah Jazz and the new Utah Mammoth, to explore why they believe the stadium is one of the last remaining places where a community can truly breathe, cheer, and connect as one. Ashley describes the "electric," high-stakes atmosphere of a live hockey game where strangers connect through shared moments to bypass the "lonely life" of the digital age. Meanwhile, Ryan reflects on their 20-year transition from the tech world to sports ownership, emphasizing their unique role as stewards keeping these franchises grounded on behalf of the state of Utah. The Smiths also pull back the curtain on the business, grit and strategic complexities of running professional sports franchises. Ryan provides a candid look at the "means to an end" philosophy required to survive the emotional volatility of wins and losses. Together, they discuss the distinct, team-first culture of the NHL compared to the NBA, the evolving nature of athlete health, and changing league rules. Hear the fascinating story of the "way to get in front of the puck" mentality that defines hockey culture, and how that very spirit of sacrifice is influencing their approach to the Utah Jazz. Finally, the conversation tackles the tough questions regarding the NBA regular season and the strategic necessity of "laying up" during a team rebuild. The episode concludes with a look ahead at the 2026 NBA draft, with Ryan expressing full confidence in his front office to ignore the outside noise, draft for greatness, and make the bold, sometimes unpopular moves necessary to pursue a championship. Turn off your screens, step inside the arena, and find out why the Smiths are betting big on the vital power of the shared civic experience. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience during “The Atlantic Across America” series in Salt Lake City on May 11, a joint event from the Deseret News and The Atlantic magazine.  “Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] and Jane Clayson Johnson [https://www.deseret.com/authors/jane-clayson-johnson/], who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.    “Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/] podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.    Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews [https://www.youtube.com/@DeseretNews]), Instagram (@deseretnews [https://www.instagram.com/deseretnews/]), Facebook (@deseretnews [https://www.facebook.com/deseretnews]) and X (@deseret [https://x.com/Deseret]).