IF & HG

 I write this as I’ve just watched the movie “IF” for the first time while flying on an airplane for my wife and my first trip away from our daughter. Yep, I cried. No helping it. Just could not hold it in. I loved that John Krasinski directed it and loved that the actress who played Mrs. Dursley in Harry Potter was the Grandma in “IF”. Such a lovely story about imaginary friends (IFs) and the role they have in helping their children even when the children are grown up. 

The story revolves around Elizabeth, who goes by Bea as she experiences the loss of her mother as well as the pending surgery for her father. Lots of an emotions for a 12 year old girl to go through. A big take away for me is that kids need their parents and kids need their imagination even if it is not an imaginary friend. 

Perhaps the imaginary friends could be representative of the Holy Ghost and how we need his influence and guidance throughout our lives. As a comforter, as a guide, and a teacher. It reminds me of Elder Bednar’s talk about receiving the Holy Ghost where he shares that this is an invitation that, for me, is a lifelong quest. While I don’t see the Holy Ghost, I know he is very real and I know that I need his influence every day, much like the grown ups in “IF” still need their imaginary friends at every stage of their lives.

Reflections from DigiCon 2025

A couple weeks ago Digimon celebrated their 25th anniversary with DigiCon 2025. Plenty of other blogs and websites reported on the announcements and updates as they were given, but I felt like I'd be a poor Digimon fan if I didn't at least share some thoughts (and I am the self-proclaimed Digimon King). So this is less a summary of the announcements and more my personal feelings about each announcement.

Digimon Adventure: Beyond

After the release of The Beginning there was no clear direction as to where the franchise was going next. Sure, Digimon keeps making games, but what about the anime? I wouldn't even care as much about the next installment in Digimon Adventure if they hadn't explicitly left a gap in the continuity between Last Evolution Kizuna and the Digimon Adventure 02 epilogue. So when the short/music video "Beyond" was released, I hoped for some answer to how Agumon and Gabumon returned. No such luck. Instead, we got a montage of adventures taking place between Digimon Adventure Tri and Kizuna. I definitely enjoyed the video, seeing some adventures as the Digi-Destined grew up. We got shots of Meiko, alternate armor digivolutions, and plenty of other Easter eggs alluding to storylines old and new. Even Lui appeared, so it begs a rewatch. Maybe someday I'll get my wish and we'll get more.

Digimon Beatbreak

Though no dub information is likely to come any time soon, a new anime was announced. Another branch in the Digimon multiverse. This new anime is about "emotion-devouring Digital Lifeforms". Because it's phrased that way, I expect a darker tone in this series compared to the ones I watched as a kid. I still need to watch Digimon Ghost Game, but I imagine the tone of this anime will be similar. Granted, a lot of that is based off the revealed poster. And that's like judging a book off its cover. Either way, it's set to broadcast in Japan this fall. I'm banking on it appearing on Crunchyroll.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger

I never had a game system to match with popular/successful Digimon games. Historically I said that Pokemon has a better track record with games and Digimon is better with anime. But now Pokemon has mixed up its anime and I haven't played a new video game since I bought Ultra Sun. I heard that Cyber Sleuth was a successful video games series in Digimon's corner, but I haven't saved the money to buy Switch (bought a house instead) and the time to play it. Since I'm inexperienced in this department, I sit here with curiosity to see how it plays out. A name like "Time Stranger" makes me wish it were about jumping around the Digimon multiverse, but I know better than to wish for that.

Digimon Alysion

This is the announcement I'm most excited about. After playing Pokemon TCG Pocket and Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, I'm excited to get my hand into the Digimon card game. I have a handful of physical cards from when I saw The Beginning in theaters, but I lack people to play the game with. Without close friends to play against, I decided to avoid spending money on booster packs (I had horrible luck with booster packs when I collected Yu-Gi-Oh cards anyway). With an app similar to Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh, maybe I'll get invested enough to buy physical cards. Plus it sounds like it'll have more of a story than Pokemon TCG Pocket. That could be fun. I miss having a Digimon mobile game--I never understood the mechanics of Digimon ReArise, but it had my buddy Dorumon.

Toys and More

DigiCon had plenty of other announcements, including anniversary toys and Digivices. Since I can't imagine myself taking a Digivice toy to work, I probably won't buy one--I remember how my old D3 would start beeping. That being said, I'm grateful that the franchise is growing even if I'm unlikely to buy the toys... though I am liable to base a cosplay around a Digivice toy... you shouldn't put it past me. I would love to get all the toys... But for now, I'm going to just keep rewatching Digimon anime on repeat.

Animorphs Book Club Reading Schedule

I finally finished reading the entirety of the Animorphs series. As Russell and I discussed on the podcast, we want to read through the series together and book club about it on the podcast. It took me about sixteen months to read through the series by myself, so I can’t expect us to read it quicker than that together. If you’d like to join us on this journey with the Animorphs, here’s our reading schedule. 

We plan to record towards the end of each month indicated, so feel free to chime in with your commentary by sending us a message on Facebook, Instagram, or Discord. We’ve never done a podcast series quite like this before, so check back here for any changes to the reading schedule. 

Part 1 - Record in April 2025 - Release in May 2025

#1 - The Invasion

#2 - The Visitor

#3 - The Encounter

#4 - The Message

Part 2 - Record in May 2025 - Release in June 2025

#5 - The Predator

#6 - The Capture

#7 - The Stranger

Megamorphs #1 - The Andalite's Gift

Part 3 - Record in July 2025 - Release in August 2025

#8 - The Alien

#9 - The Secret

#10 - The Android

#11 - The Forgotten

#12 - The Reaction

Part 4 - Record in August 2025 - Release in September 2025

#13 - The Change

The Andalite Chronicles

#14 - The Unknown

#15 - The Escape

Part 5 - Record in September 2025 - Release in October 2025

#16 - The Warning

#17 - The Underground

#18 - The Decision

Megamorphs #2 - In the Time of Dinosaurs

Part 6 - Record in October 2025 - Release in November 2025

#19 - The Departure

#20 - The Discovery

#21 - The Threat

#22 - The Solution

Part 7 - Record in November 2025 - Release in December 2025

The Hork-Bajir Chronicles

#23 - The Pretender

#24 - The Suspicion

#25 - The Extreme

Part 8 - Record in January 2026 - Release in February 2026

#26 - The Attack

#27 - The Exposed

#28 - The Experiment

#29 - The Sickness

Megamorphs #3 - Elfangor's Secret

Part 9 - Record in February 2026 - Release in March 2026

#30 - The Reunion

#31 - The Conspiracy

#32 - The Separation

#33 - The Illusion

Part 10 - Record in March 2026 - Release in April 2026

#34 - The Prophecy

#35 - The Proposal

Visser

#36 - The Mutation

Part 11 - Record in May 2026 - Release June 2026

#37 - The Weakness

#38 - The Arrival

#39 - The Hidden

#40 - The Other

#41 - The Familiar

Part 12 - Record June 2026 - Release July 2026

Megamorphs #4 - Back to Before

#42 - The Journey

#43 - The Test

#44 - The Unexpected

Part 13 - Record July 2026 - Release August 2026

#45 - The Revelation

#46 - The Deception

#47 - The Resistance

#48 - The Return

Part 14 - Record August 2026 - Release September 2026

#49 - The Diversion

#50 - The Ultimate

#51 - The Absolute

#52 - The Sacrifice

Part 15 - Record September 2026 - Release October 2026

#53 - The Answer

The Ellimist Chronicles

#54 - The Beginning

Alternate ending?

Snow White is Doomed to Flop—And the Reason Will Shock You! (Yes, It’s Clickbait)

When Walt Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, it became a groundbreaking achievement in animation and storytelling. At the heart of the film is Snow White herself, a character whose defining trait is her kindness. Throughout the movie, this quality not only shapes her journey but also influences those around her—both friend and foe.

From the very beginning, Snow White’s kindness protects her. When the Evil Queen orders the Huntsman to take her into the woods and kill her, he cannot bring himself to do it. Despite his loyalty to the Queen, he is moved by Snow White’s innocence and gentle nature, choosing instead to let her escape. This moment highlights how her goodness touches even those given cruel tasks.

After fleeing into the forest, Snow White stumbles upon the home of the seven dwarfs. Rather than taking their hospitality for granted, she offers to stay and help them by cooking and cleaning. The dwarfs, initially hesitant about letting her stay, are won over by her warmth and willingness to contribute. This exchange reinforces the idea that kindness fosters trust and friendship, even among those who are vastly different from us.

However, Snow White’s kindness also makes her a target. The Queen despises her not just for her beauty but because Snow White’s inner goodness makes her the fairest of them all. This envy drives the Queen to drastic actions, proving that in a world of selfish ambition, true beauty is found in a kind and gentle heart. Snow White’s purity remains unshaken despite the dangers she faces, making her one of Disney’s most beloved characters.

In contrast, the live-action adaptation, as seen in the trailer, seems to take a different approach to Snow White’s character. While it is stated that she is kind, her actions suggest otherwise. Instead of relying on her kindness to shape her destiny, she is portrayed as a warrior leading an army to reclaim the kingdom. This shift in characterization moves away from the original message that kindness, not force, is the key to changing the world. While strength and courage are admirable qualities, the essence of Snow White’s character has always been that her goodness transforms those around her.

Art by Vivian Hsia

The lesson we can take from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is that kindness should be at the core of how we interact with others. In today’s world, it is easy to let differences divide us—be it political views, cultural backgrounds, or personal beliefs. However, Snow White’s story reminds us that kindness transcends those barriers. Whether it was the Huntsman sparing her life, the dwarfs welcoming her into their home, or even how she lovingly cared for animals, Snow White demonstrated that being good to others can create harmony even in a world filled with challenges.

President Russell M. Nelson, in his talk Peacemakers Needed, spoke about the necessity of being kind and fostering peace in an increasingly divided world. He reminded us that “contention drives away the Spirit—every time” and that we must strive to be peacemakers rather than participants in conflict. Snow White embodied this principle, choosing kindness over retaliation even when faced with hatred from the Queen. Similarly, we can strive to be peacemakers in our own lives, treating others with kindness regardless of their beliefs, actions, or backgrounds.

Ultimately, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs teaches us that kindness is not a weakness—it is a powerful force that can shape lives, soften hearts, and bring people together. As we go about our daily lives, we should remember Snow White’s example and choose to be kind, even when the world around us seems harsh. Just as she won the hearts of the Huntsman and the dwarfs, we too can inspire change through simple acts of goodness. As President Nelson urged, let us be the peacemakers the world so desperately needs.

LDS Geeks Podcast #38: Third Doctor Review

Here's our final round of the Third Doctor. His time with UNIT and his new friends changed Doctor Who. Enjoy!

--Spencer 

"How to be a Super Missionary" by Dr. Benjamin Jeppsen

Last month I had the privilege of talking with Dr. Benjamin Jeppsen on our podcast about his experience as a Latter-day Saint geek and especially about his experience writing “How to be a Super Missionary”. I touched on the book’s content during our discussion, but to do the book justice I felt I needed to formally review it. If you want any specific background on Ben and his experience with missionary work, check out our podcast episode. Now for the book itself.

The basic premise of Dr. Jeppsen’s book is simple. It’s an anthology of superhero devotionals or parables, comparing DC and Marvel heroes to success in missionary work. Some of the lessons pull from superhero movies of recent decades, but some pull from the source material in the comics (some both). In the book, he teaches missionary lessons through the lens of Batman, Rogue, Hulk, the Flash, and many more popular heroes.

Like I told Ben on the podcast, one thing I loved about his book was that I didn’t have to read it all in one sitting (which is hard to do with two little kids begging for my attention). Each chapter took me about fifteen minutes to read and most of them were read by the proposed site of the McKinney Texas Temple when I needed a break from work. Even when I didn’t know the specific backstories of Batman or Rogue, he was able to summarize the important bits so that I could still learn what I needed from the analogy to become a better missionary. And actually a sign of how well he wrote them is that he made me want to grab some comics and explore some heroes I’ve never seen/watched before.

I’ve written before about my complicated history with formal missionary work and I addressed that on the podcast as well. The complexities aside, the book lifted me up and taught me lessons about being a “member missionary” in the church. On at least one occasion (the chapter about MCU’s Hulk) I was enlightened about my role as a father. And even though it took me months to read (again, because of kids begging for my attention) the bite-sized nature of the lessons and chapters made that doable in my stage of life. 

If you enjoy our gospel-centered blog posts, you’ll enjoy this book. Whether you lean towards Marvel comics or DC comics (like Ben), you’ll find a story and a lesson for yourself in this book. And as previously stated, these parables are written well enough to make me want to read the comics and see the movies that I’ve never experienced before. So go buy Dr. Jeppsen’s book for a wonderfully geeky Sunday afternoon (here it is on Amazon).

And don't forget to check out my discussion with Ben on the podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Farmer vs. Cowman

Growing up, I recall watching the film version of “Oklahoma” a number of times. I have thought recently about a song from this musical titled, “The Farmer and the Cowman should be Friends.” The application to our day is apparent to me in that it is a song about people from different walks of life learning to get along. Be it different political parties, teams we root for, religions, or ideas about which Star Trek captain is best, there are a lot of opinions to go around. But, to quote the aforementioned song, “that’s no reason why [we] can’t be friends.” 

When I lived in Utah, there was often a letter shared in sacrament meeting around the time that elections were being held that I will paraphrase here: there is good to be found in all political parties. 

I am a sports fan and while I am bummed when the team I root for loses, I can also appreciate the talent of players on the opposing team. 

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I admire the way that Muslims, Jews, Buddists, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholics, and many others worship.

As for which Star Trek captain is best, I think I like them all in their own way. (Perhaps a bit too diplomatic, but I take that as my prerogative in authoring this post)

  My point in writing these thoughts down is to encourage more dialogue and less dismissal. I know there are things I do not agree with others on but that does not mean I have to be disagreeable. I know how much I have been helped and continue to be helped by others. I know that I will continue to need help along my life’s journey. 

I think Joseph Smith summed it up nicely in the following quote from 1843:

“The Saints can testify whether I am willing to lay down my life for my brethren. If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a ‘Mormon.’ I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.”

I sure do hope this is helpful on some level. I saw an applicable lesson in this song from my childhood and wanted to both share the song and the message I thought could be found in it.

The Best Disney Villain Songs

 

Disney villain songs are some of the most iconic and memorable numbers in animation history. They set the stage for the antagonist’s motives, drip with charisma, and, in many cases, serve as a musical masterclass in manipulation. While songs like Be Prepared from The Lion King embrace full-fledged villainy, most of the best Disney villain songs share a common, insidious trait—they gaslight the protagonist into doubting their own reality.

1. Gaston – Beauty and the Beast

Gaston is the ultimate egotistical buffoon, and his titular song is a hype anthem of self-delusion. In this tavern singalong, his loyal lackey, LeFou, reassures him that he’s the greatest man in town—nay, the world!—as Gaston recovers from the shock of being rejected by Belle. The manipulation here? The entire village is swept into his warped reality, where Belle’s lack of interest is framed as her problem, not his. Instead of self-reflection, Gaston chooses self-aggrandizement, setting the stage for his descent into full-fledged villainy.

2. Be Prepared – The Lion King

The exception to the gaslighting trend, Be Prepared is a rare villain song where Scar isn’t trying to manipulate the hero—he’s manipulating his own goons. This song is an outright declaration of treachery, complete with Nazi-inspired imagery and Shakespearean grandeur. Scar is already a lost cause, fully embracing the dark side and plotting his ascension to the throne. There’s no subtle deception here—just a villain reveling in his own genius.

3. Out There / Hellfire – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Frollo is the king of religious hypocrisy, and his two songs, Out There and Hellfire, perfectly capture his brand of psychological warfare. In Out There, he convinces Quasimodo that the outside world is cruel and that he should be grateful for his prison-like existence. It’s classic gaslighting—twisting concern into control. Later, in Hellfire, Frollo turns that manipulation inward, blaming Esmeralda for his own desires and spiraling into self-righteous villainy. These two songs are a chilling look at how gaslighting isn’t just a tool for villains—it’s a mindset.

4. Mother Knows Best – Tangled

Gothel’s entire method of working is built on gaslighting, and Mother Knows Best is her magnum opus. She weaves a tapestry of fear, mocking Rapunzel’s dreams while pretending it’s all for her own good. Every lyric is designed to make Rapunzel doubt herself and believe that Gothel is her only source of love and protection. This song is so effective that even when Rapunzel starts breaking free, she still struggles with the belief that Gothel might have been right. That’s some top-tier emotional manipulation.

5. Poor Unfortunate Souls – The Little Mermaid

Ursula doesn’t just gaslight Ariel—she cons her. Poor Unfortunate Souls is a masterclass in the art of the villain sales pitch. She frames the deal in a way that makes it sound like Ariel is the one making the right choice, twisting the truth just enough to make giving up her voice seem reasonable. The best part? Ursula presents herself as a benevolent benefactor, acting as though she’s doing Ariel a favor when, in reality, she’s setting her up for failure. By the time Ariel realizes the truth, she’s already too deep in the contract to back out.

6. Dos Oruguitas – Encanto (Wait, what?)

Okay, hear me out. Dos Oruguitas isn’t a traditional villain song, but if you think about it, Abuela is the antagonist of Encanto. The song plays during the most tragic moment in her backstory, painting her actions as understandable, even noble. But let’s be real—she spent years emotionally repressing her family, making Mirabel feel inadequate and convincing everyone that their worth was tied to their magical gifts. Dos Oruguitas gaslights us into sympathizing with her, excusing years of emotional damage because of one moment of loss. See? Villain song.

Conclusion

Disney villain songs are at their best when they don’t just showcase evil but actively manipulate both the protagonist and the audience. Whether it’s Gaston twisting reality, Gothel feigning love, or even Encanto subtly framing Abuela’s past to justify her actions, gaslighting is a powerful storytelling tool. And if you still don’t believe Dos Oruguitas is a villain song—well, maybe you just weren’t paying attention. ;)

Friday Creature Feature - Chikorita

While I was busy at work a couple weeks ago, my little brother was texting me updates from Pokemon Presents. Like many fans, I was surprised to hear that Chikorita would be one of the starters for the next Legends game. I had already planned on spotlighting the little leaf Pokemon for St. Patrick's Day, but with Kalos expecting Chikorita's arrival this post will be even more timely.

Chikorita is one of the starter Pokemon from the Johto region, given to the player by Professor Elm, though in the Hoenn games (and remakes) they can be a gift from Professor Birch. Pokedex entries from the game tell of Chikorita's leaf emitting a sweet fragrance. I imagine it can lull the enemy Pokemon into a false sense of security--or maybe it could help me decompress after work. The leaf can also be used to sense the temperature and the climate. Like other starter Pokemon, Chikorita evolves by simply leveling up, first into Bayleef and later into Meganium.

In the anime, there are two major appearances for Chikorita. Early during the Johto story arc, Ash and his friends met Casey, an avid and annoying baseball fan, who had received her Chikorita from Professor Elm. Casey and her partner later appeared during the Bug Catching Contest, during which it evolved into Bayleef. Later on during the Johto anime and Pokemon Chronicles, Casey appeared again with her Bayleef already evolved into Meganium. I know plenty of fans have issues with Chikorita and I wouldn't be surprised if this first impression alongside Casey didn't help the matter.

Chikorita's other major appearance was when Ash caught his own. Not too long after meeting Casey and her partner, Ash and his friends encountered another Chikorita. Stubborn as she was, Chikorita tried to fight Ash's Charizard, who couldn't be bothered with her. After Ash saved her from Team Rocket, Chikorita started to calm down the stubbornness and was caught by the would-be Pokemon Master. Her stubbornness persisted and manifested at times as jealousy for Ash's closeness with Pikachu. At first she tried to fight for Ash's affection, but she later chilled out the jealousy... though the aggressive affection persisted even after she evolved into Bayleef. She stayed a staple of Ash's team through the end of the Johto League. With how attached she was to Ash, I can't imagine she liked staying behind at Professor Oak's lab with only sporadic appearances as Ash traveled from region to region.

Now the question: Why do people hate Chikorita so much? I've heard the argument that she's the worst choice in Gold/Silver/Crystal based on the gym types, but so was Charmander and he's popular. Maybe it's her obsession and jealousy when it comes to Ash, but I feel like many haters never watched the anime consistently. My daughter loves Chikorita though, so she's okay in my book. Maybe she'll get some love with Pokemon Legends Z-A. At the very least, it's hinted that she'll get a mega evolution. So I think we can look forward to a Kalosian Meganinum and/or Mega Meganium. 

In the meantime, I need to get saving for a Switch 2 so I can play the game.

LDS Geeks Podcast #37: Crossover Popping on the Apricot Tree

I've wanted some sort of collaboration with "Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree" pretty much ever since Michael joined them to discuss Arrival. This month Carl from their podcast joined me for ours to discuss how it all came to be. Enjoy!

--Spencer