Obsessive Thoughts, James Talarico, & Mormon Beliefs

Obsessive Thoughts, James Talarico, & Mormon Beliefs

From Wretched Radio with Todd Friel by Fortis Institute

April 23, 2026 · 55 min

About this episode

The episode discusses religious scrupulosity, intrusive thoughts, and the intersection of faith and politics.

Segment 1 • Religious scrupulosity: common, crushing, misunderstood… • A centuries-old problem resurfaces: why believers have always battled relentless, intrusive, condemning thoughts. • When your conscience won’t shut off, how does it quietly rob your joy, assurance, and spiritual stability? Segment 2 • Do you know God as mostly condemning—even while knowing the truth of his abounding mercy? • Some personalities are wired toward scrupulosity. Where does your temperament lead you? • The problems starts with confusing temptation, intrusive thoughts, and actual sin. Segment 3 • David French sits down with Allie Beth Stuckey to discuss, among other things, politics. • David French hesitates to question James Talarico’s Christianity—so where should the line be drawn? • How do we honor our rulers when our rulers are scoundrels? Segment 4 • Our political beliefs flow out from our worldview. • Can someone hold radically unbiblical views about God and still be considered in the faith? • What do you value more: niceness, or doctrinal truth and boundaries? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like…

People in this episode

Host: Todd Friel

Guest: James Talarico

Topics covered

  • religious scrupulosity
  • intrusive thoughts
  • Christianity
  • politics
  • worldview
  • doctrinal truth

Keywords

  • scrupulosity
  • intrusive thoughts
  • Christianity
  • politics
  • doctrinal truth
  • faith
  • worldview

Sponsors

Fortis Institute

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