The Glenn Beck Program: "Best of the Program" with Guest Carol Roth

Episode Date: March 10, 2026
Main Theme: The episode explores the spiritual and ideological dimensions of current geopolitical crises, particularly the conflict involving Iran, the global impact on oil markets, and the underrecognized spiritual battles affecting Western society. Special guest Carol Roth discusses financial volatility following Middle East unrest, while Glenn Beck provides a deep-dive on the theological motivations driving Iran's leadership and draws connections to cultural and moral decline in the West.

Overview

Glenn Beck opens the episode with personal reflections on evil masquerading as faith, urging listeners to look beyond physical and political battles to the deeper spiritual conflict at play. The show features financial expert Carol Roth, who discusses the whiplash experienced in oil and financial markets following escalations in the Middle East, before Beck shifts to a detailed discourse on the Twelver Shia ideology driving Iran’s regime. The episode weaves concerns about moral relativism, historical precedent, and the peril of spiritual blindness in contemporary America.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Market Volatility and the Oil Crisis

(03:40–15:36)
Guest: Carol Roth, Financial Analyst & Author

• Uncertainty in Oil Markets:

  • The Strait of Hormuz, now effectively closed, accounts for 20% of the world's oil transit.
  • Disruption has spiked shipping and air freight costs (by up to 400% in air freight).
  • The instant market reaction: panic selling, algorithmic volatility, and eventual price correction as rational investors step in.
    • "Uncertainty and fear drives an outcome in the market and then it becomes exacerbated by the dynamics of the financial market." – Carol Roth [04:01]

• Why Gas Prices Spike Immediately:

  • Despite paid/refined inventory, consumer gas prices rise instantly upon news of crisis.
  • Roth explains this is due to market expectations, competitive dynamics, and "hedging" rather than direct manipulation by gas station owners.
    • "They make almost no money out of every gallon ... after expenses, it's something like 2 cents." – Carol Roth [08:55]

• Energy Independence—A Myth?

  • The US imports and exports various types of crude; refineries are built for certain kinds of oil, so true autonomy is elusive.
  • Global commodities markets ensure US prices remain tied to world supply shocks.
    • "It's not like it's a self contained market where we could just say, 'Oh, we're producing this and we can use it.'" – Carol Roth [10:16]

• Price Scenarios if the Crisis Escalates:

  • Worst case: Strait shutdown could push oil to $120–$150/barrel, potentially even $250.
    • "Our economy is built for oil under $120 a barrel." – Glenn Beck [13:24]
  • Roth cites a "20% chance" of this blowout scenario, but cautions global meltdown is possible at higher sustained prices.
    • "It just creates an absolute global financial crisis." – Carol Roth [13:56]

2. Spiritual Battle vs. Physical Conflict

(16:25–31:12)

• Beyond Geopolitics—A War of Ideologies:

  • Beck insists the true conflict is spiritual in nature, not just strategic or military.
    • "We are confronting evil now that is convinced itself that it is righteous. And that combination has always been the most dangerous force in all of human history." – Glenn Beck [19:00]
  • He contrasts bad policies with the current existence of evil acting under the appearance of faith, referencing Iran's theocratic regime and its global ambitions.

• Iran’s Twelver Shia Ideology:

  • Detailed account of the 12th Imam (Mahdi) concept: apocalyptic beliefs that legitimize fomenting chaos to hasten the messianic return.
  • Iran’s clerics view war and violence as spiritual duties.
    • "The regime in Iran is built on a theological revolution... a system designed to export their ideology all across the globe." – Glenn Beck [18:10]
    • "They believe they're welcoming the 12th Imam, the Mahdi... and he rules the world and washes the world in blood." – Glenn Beck [22:30]

3. Connecting Historical & Cultural Dots

(31:13–40:41)

• Parallels with Weimar Germany & Decline of Moral Order:

  • Beck draws direct lines from pre-Nazi Germany's moral collapse to current Western trends: radical gender theory, compassion killing (euthanasia), and normalization of violence.
    • "History doesn't repeat itself exactly, but it does rhyme. And today we're seeing all of the rhymes." – Glenn Beck [24:24]

• Assisted Suicide and Societal Moral Drift:

  • Surging euthanasia in Canada and legislative pushes in US states as signs of a “death cult” culture.
    • "Canada is offering MAID not just to the terminally ill now, but to people and young adults suffering from depression. ... That's more people died from assisted suicide in Canada than in all of World War II." – Glenn Beck [25:20]

• Socialism, Marxism, and Totalitarian Religious Revolution:

  • Analysis of the Iranian Revolution’s Marxist-theocratic alliance, followed by purges.
    • "Revolutionary movements always eat their allies once they gain power." – Glenn Beck [27:41]
  • Draws analogy to contemporary US political tribalism—both right and left missing the spiritual nature of societal decay.

4. Wake-Up Call on Evil and Deception

(40:42–48:00)

• Evil in Modern America:

  • Beck asserts that cruelty is often rebranded as compassion, and that both left and right are often deceived or spiritually blind.
    • "Evil doesn't begin with violence. It begins with deception. Convincing people that cruelty is compassion." – Glenn Beck [38:00]
  • He challenges listeners to recognize the real war as a battle for the moral and spiritual soul of America.

• Famous Quote:

  • "Civilization cannot be saved if it has lost its soul. And history proves it time and time again." – Glenn Beck [41:00]

5. Election Integrity & The Principle of Verification

(31:13–35:10)
Caller: Chuck

• Debate over the "Save America Act":
  • Chuck argues against the need for new voting integrity laws, citing minimal documented fraud.
  • Beck responds with analogies—airport security, Olympic drug tests—to argue that the perceived integrity of institutions is as crucial as actual integrity.
    • "It is the principle in each of those cases. They exist for one reason, and that is the integrity of the system, not the inconvenience of protecting it." – Glenn Beck [33:05]

6. Deep Dive: Twelver Theology and Western Misunderstanding

(48:01–End)

• Detailed Theology of the Twelvers:

  • Background on the 12th Imam, his occultation, and the belief that chaos and violence will bring about the end times.
    • "What makes them so dangerous is ... they truly believe they can hasten his return if they plunge the world into chaos." – Glenn Beck [55:20]
  • Serious geopolitical concern: Iranian leadership’s hardline Twelvers actively seek nuclear capability guided by this eschatology.

• Worldview Clash:

  • Beck juxtaposes this with Christian End Times narratives, noting both await a messianic figure—but each casts the other's savior as their own villain.
    • "Both systems are ... have a messianic figure. Both describe the world before the final conflict. Both describe the climactic battle ... But the identities are reversed." – Glenn Beck [58:15]

• Why This Matters Politically and Spiritually:

  • The West’s inability to recognize ideological and spiritual motivations (viewing geopolitical actors as only rational state actors) leaves it vulnerable.
    • "You can't understand it through politics. You have to understand what the leaders actually believe and what their ideology is, what their theology is." – Glenn Beck [50:15]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Carol Roth on Blowout Oil Scenarios:
  "That's a blowout minimum, 120 to 150 a barrel. And if it really, you know, gets bad, I've seen a few analysts call that up to 250, by the way." [12:38]

• Glenn Beck on Evil and Faith:
  "No God commands you to murder innocent people walking down the street? ... That is evil wearing the mask of faith." [21:00]

• On the Urgency of Awareness:
  "My first message to you today is wake up. Wake your friends up. Politely, kindly, with as much humor as you possibly can. But we're arguing about all of the wrong things." [42:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Carol Roth Interview & Market Analysis: 03:40–15:36
• Beck on Iran’s Spiritual Warfare: 16:25–31:12
• Historic/Political Parallels & Cultural Critique: 24:00–31:12
• Caller Chuck & Election Integrity Debate: 31:13–35:10
• Closing Wake-Up Call and Spiritual Analysis: 40:42–End

Conclusion

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program weaves together acute financial analysis, current events in the Middle East, and deep philosophical and spiritual commentary. Glenn Beck argues that to truly understand today’s crises requires spiritual discernment and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about evil, both abroad and at home. The episode is a clarion call to recognize not just geopolitical threats, but the underlying ideological and moral conflicts shaping our world.