Standard of Truth Podcast: Season 5, Bonus Episode 2 - "March Email Madness"

Hosts:

• Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat: Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU
• Dr. Richard Leduc: Co-host and fellow historian

Release Date: March 18, 2025

Overview

In this special bonus episode of the "Standard of Truth" podcast, hosts Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard Leduc diverge from their usual deep dives into Latter-Day Saints history to engage in a lively and entertaining "March Email Madness." This episode centers around a bracket challenge inspired by NCAA March Madness, where listeners and missionaries submitted their bracket picks for a chance to win prizes. The hosts discuss the overwhelming response, highlight humorous entries, share listener emails, and infuse the conversation with personal anecdotes and playful banter.

March Email Madness Bracket Challenge

Engagement and Participation

From the outset, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc express their surprise and delight at the massive influx of emails from listeners, predominantly missionaries, eager to participate in the March Email Madness bracket challenge.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (00:01): "There are apparently 99% of the people who listen, only listen for Richard."
• Dr. Leduc (03:00): "Baylor over Mississippi State. Baylor at the nine seed over Mississippi."

Humorous and Notable Team Names

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to showcasing and laughing over the creative and amusing team names submitted by participants. The hosts share their top picks, highlighting the wit and creativity of their audience.

• Dr. Leduc (05:01): "Bodie McBoatface. John C. Bennett's picks would all be secretive and sinful."
• Dr. Dirkmaat (05:18): "Boat Face is one of our best call outs ever."
• Dr. Leduc (08:40): "Ask Jeeves. That one made me smile."
• Dr. Dirkmaat (10:39): "Twin relics of barbarism."

Personal Involvement and Hosting Dynamic

The hosts engage in friendly teasing about each other's bracket picks and personal stories, adding a layer of authenticity and camaraderie to the discussion.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (05:01): "Bodie McBoatface. John C. Bennett's picks would all be secretive and sinful."
• Dr. Dirkmaat (06:00): "That's a direct shot at you."
• Dr. Leduc (06:44): "There is some subjectivity here."

Listener Emails and Mailbag Segment

Diverse and Entertaining Submissions

The episode features a segment where the hosts read and react to various listener emails. These emails range from humorous anecdotes to expressions of support and questions about the podcast content.

• Email from Elder Greenleaf (12:52):
  "Elder FA'A Otoa. Which is totally wrong, but..."
  (Dr. Dirkmaat attempts to pronounce a Polynesian name, leading to laughter and light-hearted correction.)

• Email from Mike (16:03):
  "Your episode, brow beating ChatGPT. Did it truly learn its lesson?"
  (Discussion about the effectiveness of their previous episode critiquing AI responses regarding Latter-Day Saints teachings.)

Personal Stories from Missionaries

Emails from missionaries provide insight into their experiences and interactions with the podcast, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

• Elder and Sister Jones (24:11):
  "Thank you for clarifying that Boise is pronounced 'boy C.'..."
  (Hosts share plans to visit Harmony, Pennsylvania, and anecdotes about their interactions with missionaries.)

• Email from Sarah (27:47):
  "I always on the lookout for new sources that I can't wait to see what it has. Thank you for the content you put out."
  (Appreciation for the podcast's informative and entertaining content.)

Personal Anecdotes and Banter

Mispronunciations and Personal Stories

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in playful exchanges about mispronunciations, personal missions, and family interactions, adding depth and personality to the conversation.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (07:54):
  "I'm about to pronounce this name incorrectly. I'm trying, though, and I apologize. Hey, brother Dirkmot. I'm elder FA'A Otoa."

• Dr. Leduc (21:36):
  "We're bringing our whole family, by the way."
  (Discussing upcoming tours and family reunions during missions.)

Humorous Encounters with Recognition

Dr. Dirkmaat recounts an amusing encounter where a stranger recognized him solely as the podcast host, highlighting the unexpected ways listeners connect with the show.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (30:22):
  "I was actually on the phone, and all of a sudden someone goes, hey, hey. And like, oh, someone shoplifting. Are you Garrett?"
  (Describes the awkward yet pleasant recognition and interaction with a listener.)

Tournament Picks and Predictions

Bracket Strategies and Upset Picks

The hosts delve into their bracket strategies, discussing potential upsets and favorites, providing listeners with insights into their decision-making processes.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (34:03):
  "Give me a first-round upset that you feel really good about. And please don't say that it's VCU over BYU."

• Dr. Leduc (35:30):
  "I have Liberty over Oregon. That's a classic 5-12 matchup."

Discussion of Team Performances and Prospects

Engaging in spirited debate, the hosts analyze team performances, injuries, and historical data to support their bracket choices.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (36:05):
  "I'm looking at the distinct possibility of Baylor over Mississippi State."

• Dr. Leduc (37:01):
  "I have some hard feelings towards Missouri because of the extermination order 175 years ago."

Conclusion

Appreciation and Community Building

In wrapping up the episode, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc extend their gratitude to listeners and missionaries for their support and participation. They express enthusiasm for future episodes and continued engagement through activities like the bracket challenge.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (33:51):
  "But we just thought we'd get on. Thank you to everybody who listens."

• Dr. Leduc (35:52):
  "We've got a few more emails, but that is all of the emails fit to print."

Upcoming Plans and Farewells

The hosts share glimpses into their personal lives and upcoming plans, maintaining a personal connection with their audience before signing off.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (41:06):
  "I'm sure he'll love some Kansas City barbecue."

• Dr. Leduc (41:16):
  "It's in a Chevron gas station. But it's the best barbecue you'll ever have."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dr. Dirkmaat (02:13):
  "The question is, why are we doing what we're doing and why do we continue to do the podcast?"

• Dr. Leduc (03:03):
  "There will be prizes for the winners. Although we don't know what those prizes are."

• Dr. Dirkmaat (10:39):
  "We'll be reading it on the air as I avoided a lot of big words and hard to read phrases."

• Dr. Leduc (16:43):
  "ChatGPT seems to be willing to just give you any answer. Like a parent who just wants you to stop asking."

• Dr. Dirkmaat (21:02):
  "I have two weeks at home and then we'll meet him in Kansas City at the tour."

Final Thoughts

This bonus episode of "Standard of Truth" blends historical discussion with contemporary cultural phenomena, specifically the excitement surrounding March Madness. By engaging directly with their audience through email interactions and humorous exchanges, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc create a vibrant community atmosphere. The episode underscores the podcast's commitment to not only educating listeners about Latter-Day Saints history but also fostering a sense of camaraderie and fun among its diverse audience.

Thank you for listening to the "Standard of Truth" podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with others who might benefit from its insightful and entertaining content.