Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree

Feb 13 2025 52 ep. 54 mins 9
Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree Podcast artwork

Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree is an LDS podcast with a rotating cast of co-hosts discussing pop culture from a Mormon perspective. We talk about great gospel insights through great stories and help you find entertainment that is both true and beautiful. Though the podcast has an unabashedly LDS worldview, we do not represent the official views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

  Religion & Spirituality
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Ep 49 - Short: Rings of Power Season 2

Feb 13 2025 26 mins  
We review of the second season of Amazon Prime's 'Rings of Power,' exploring what it reveals about human nature and gospel themes, particularly through Sauron's relationship with Celebrimbor, while discussing the show's overall execution and its various plotlines.Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/ringsofpowerseason2

Ep 48 - Short: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Dec 27 2024 22 mins  
It's technically the third day of Christmas, so it's not too late for us to review 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,' the 2024 Christmas movie by Dallas Jenkins. We discuss its heartfelt renewal of the gospel story and its commentary on the perils and promise of ideals. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/bestchristmaspageantever Audio mastering by Liz Busby Asso

Ep 47 - Accidentally Religious? Latter-day Saints Unravel Heretic

Nov 26 2024 56 mins  
Three Latter-day Saints share their thoughts about Heretic, a 2024 horror film about two sister missionaries and their terrifying encounter with a psychopath. Jasmin Rappleye of Scripture Central joins us to unpack whether the film is anti-religious or strangely pro-faith, as well as the accuracies and inaccuracies of its Mormon characters. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricot

Ep 46 - Star Wars Folklore: Crossover with Angels and Seerstones

Nov 15 2024 12 mins  
Today's episode is a crossover with the folklore podcast Angels and Seerstones to discuss legends of Spencer W. Kimball having inspired Yoda and the general relationship between Star Wars and Mormons. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out more of their podcast! Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com//post/starwarsfolklore

Ep 45 - Inside Out 2: Anxiety and Agency

Sep 26 2024 53 mins  
Join us as we dive into Pixar's Inside Out 2, discussing the new emotions, Riley's evolving sense of self, and how the movie aligns with and challenges LDS perspectives on agency and personal growth. Guests CD Cunningham and Lauren Cassidy help us analyze this summer's hit family movie. Show Notes: https://www.popcultureapricottree.com/post/insideout2 Audio mastering by

Ep 44 - Short: 2001: A Space Odyssey

Aug 22 2024 20 mins  
This movie is one of Carl's favorites, but Liz had never seen it. Join us for our first in-person recording as we dive deep into the iconic film 2001: A Space Odyssey, exploring its themes and symbolism through the perspective of Latter-day Saint theology and appreciating its impact on sci-fi storytelling. View the Show Notes

Ep 43 - Dune: The Use and Abuse of Religion

May 09 2024 58 mins  
The prophesied Dune episode has arrived! Along for the ride across the sands of Arrakis are Ivan Wolfe and Michael Haycock. Our intrepid panel dissects the film's themes—from the perils of messiah complexes and the seductive power of politics to the manipulation mastery of the Bene Gesserit and the very nature of prophecy itself. We also look at how the book adapts the comp

Ep 42 - Short: The Most Reluctant Convert

Apr 18 2024 21 mins  
After two seasons of being snuck into almost every episode, CS Lewis finally takes center stage as we discuss the 2021 film The Most Reluctant Convert. Find out what we enjoyed about Lewis's conversion story and how his arguments connect to a Latter-day Saint worldview. View the Show Notes Audio mastering by Liz Busby Associate Links: Links to products may be associate links, w

Ep 41 - Pride and Prejudice: Agency Under Constraints

Mar 27 2024 58 mins  
Do Latter-day Saints have a particular affinity for Pride and Prejudice? Maybe so, maybe not, but we're on the case to find out! Guest Katherine Cowley, author of The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet, joins us in discussing various imaginative adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. From Pakistan to spy dramas to crossovers with Mormon culture, explore the diverse and captivating sp

Ep 40 - Short: Self

Mar 06 2024 16 mins  
We delve into the Pixar SparkShort "Self," exploring themes of self-acceptance and identity through a wooden doll's journey in a world of metallic dolls. Discover how this thought-provoking short might be reinterpreted to challenge notions of expressive individualism, as well as insights into deeper meaning of self-discovery and acceptance. Show Notes: https://www.po