Is American Christianity Losing the Plot?

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]).

The Salt Lake Temple: Opening its Doors to the World

For the first time in over 130 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng] is preparing to open the doors of the Salt Lake Temple [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/salt-lake-temple] to the public following a massive, multi-year renovation [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/feature/templesquare/temple-square-construction-updates?lang=eng].  On this episode of "Deseret Voices [https://pages.deseret.com/podcasts/deseret-voices]," McKay Coppins [https://www.deseret.com/authors/mckay-coppins/] sits down with project director Andy Kirby and church historian Matt Grow to discuss the dual mission [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/salt-lake-temple-interior-renovation-harmonizing-sacred-past-future] of this monumental undertaking: preserving 19th-century pioneer craftsmanship while implementing 21st-century engineering [https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/07/01/salt-lake-temple-back-on-feet-milestone-footings-seismic/].  The Salt Lake Temple has defined the Salt Lake City skyline since 1893. For years now [https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/08/03/salt-lake-temple-renovation-timeline/], the temple has been a hive of construction, surrounded by cranes and scaffolding as it undergoes its most significant renovation in history [https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/02/04/salt-lake-temple-renovation-manager-takes-listeners-inside-renovation-project/]. But the project is about more than just replacing old plumbing and reinforcing granite walls against an earthquake. Kirby and Grow explain how church leadership used this opportunity to enhance and expand the use and message of Temple Square.  They discuss how church historians navigated the delicate balance [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/salt-lake-temple-interior-renovation-harmonizing-sacred-past-future] between honoring the pioneer past while welcoming a global future, how the now re-opened visitors’ center [https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/04/13/new-temple-square-immersive-visitors-center-to-open-salt-lake-temple/] is making sacred spaces more transparent to visitors and the engineering required to ensure this iconic building stands for another hundred years. “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]).