The Glenn Beck Program – Best of the Program | Guest: Michael Iskander | 11/14/25

Main Theme Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program delivers a blend of deep historical reflection, cultural commentary, and an uplifting interview segment. Glenn Beck unpacks lessons from the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a framework for discussing moral courage and action against evil—paralleling contemporary debates about government overreach and digital surveillance. The episode then pivots to a lighthearted and insightful interview with Michael Iskander, star of the hit Amazon series "House of David." Throughout, Beck’s signature wit and candid style keep the tone engaging and accessible.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Christian Responsibility (03:04–18:20)

The Story and Moral Complexity of Bonhoeffer

• Glenn reflects on a recent Tucker Carlson podcast discussing Bonhoeffer and seeks to clarify facts and the moral lessons at stake.
• Bonhoeffer is introduced as a Christian pastor and “one of the greatest men to ever live” (03:16), notable for his resistance against Nazism and his struggle between pacifism and confronting evil.
• Historical context: In the early Nazi era, German churches rapidly conformed to anti-Semitic policies, even replacing Jesus' images with Hitler’s in some cases.
• Glenn emphasizes that passive or compliant Christians shared moral responsibility for Nazi atrocities. He quotes Pastor Niemoller, and paraphrases: “Would the Nazis have been able to do what they had done if church members had been truly faithful Christians? The answer is no. Truly faithful.” (04:58)

Debating the Label "Nazi" and Modern Parallels

• Beck plays a clip of Tucker Carlson criticizing the reckless use of the term “Nazi” in current discourse (06:48), warning that such language leads to moral escalation.
• Glenn’s response: While agreeing that labels matter, he draws the line at actual Nazis—"when it is a Nazi, I think you can call people Nazis" but insists on specific factual clarity.

Bonhoeffer’s Ethical Dilemma

• Recaps Bonhoeffer’s pacifism versus involvement in assassination plots against Hitler (“He started questioning everything he believed.” 09:10).
• He highlights the complexity of Christian duty:

  “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself. God will not hold us blameless. Not to act is to act.” (16:03)

• Beck asks listeners to consider: If you had the chance, do you have a responsibility as a Christian to stop evil—even kill Hitler?

The Need for Discernment in Language and Action

• Glenn issues a warning about modern misuse of words like “Nazi” and “fascist,” arguing that it erodes clarity and moral direction (16:43).

  “We can’t forget what words actually mean, or we will wind up calling good evil and evil good.” (17:24)

• Closing this segment, Glenn urges moral courage and clarity—“We have a responsibility to act, but we have a responsibility to do everything Christlike that we can first.” (16:28)

2. Digital ID, Surveillance, and the Slippery Slope of Convenience (19:32–33:46)

Apple’s New Digital ID – Opportunity or Threat?

• Beck and Stu satirically introduce Apple’s digital ID rollout (19:32–22:25):

  “Why wouldn't you want a digital ID issued by the state?” – Beck (19:32)

• They highlight real risks:
  • Expansion happens incrementally (“The digital ID is the first thing. Then it includes your medical records... all your health... everything.” – Beck, 20:09)
  • Historical analogy: Glenn connects IBM’s punch card tech (used during the Holocaust) with today’s digital tracking:

    “There wouldn’t be a Jew alive on the planet if we had digital IDs. Not a chance.” – Beck (25:08)

Government Overreach and Public Trust

• Discussion of government powers during COVID: Both express alarm over how easily Americans relinquished freedom, believing “it can’t happen here”—until it did (26:10–27:43).
• The core danger:

  “Digital ID is the first step to an authoritarian state where they have all control. Doesn’t mean you end there. It just means you’ve given people that power. You don’t ever want to give people that power. Ever, ever, ever.” – Beck (27:43)

The Seduction of Convenience

• Stu points out the universal tendency to choose easier technology—even at great personal risk:

  “History is littered with examples of people who say they’re going to protect those lines. And when convenience rears its head, they choose the convenience.” – Stu (29:42)

• Glenn brings up:
  • Patriot Act as precedent for giving up privacy “for safety,” now recognized as dangerous overreach (30:45–31:15).
• Final insight: Even when “freedom-loving” citizens resist at first, and authorities promise restraint, history shows such powers are always abused. The answer is vigilance and refusing to surrender crucial privacy for momentary ease.

3. Interview with Michael Iskander – "House of David" (35:35–44:55)

Bringing David to Life: Acting, Legacy, and Faith

• Glenn praises "House of David" as “as good as The Chosen” and asks Michael Iskander about his experience.
• Portraying Goliath: Iskander shares how Martin Ford’s dedication as Goliath affected his own preparation (36:52).
• Authenticity on Set:
  • Learning to use the slingshot (“Three days. Wasn’t too bad.” – Iskander, 37:19)
  • Comedic “sheep training saga” and lessons from real shepherds on leadership:

    “A bad shepherd is a shepherd who’s behind the flock… you’re gonna lead them and you’re gonna be in the front taking the risks… I think I’m getting more than just a sheep lesson here.” – Iskander (38:05)

Spiritual Preparation and Resonance

• Fasting and prayer before auditioning:

  “The one thing I need you to do, I need you to fast and I need you to pray. So. Yes, ma’am.” – Iskander quoting his mother (39:33)

• David’s Enduring Appeal:

  “David is the embodiment of what it means to be human and to make mistakes and yet to still find forgiveness… he is a man after God’s own heart.” – Iskander (41:14)

• Glenn and Iskander discuss the importance of seeing Biblical heroes’ flaws and grace.

The Challenge of Typecasting and Career Choices

• Glenn asks about being “typecast” as David:

  “Are you prepared to always be David?” – Beck (43:53)

• Iskander’s humble response:

  “If I’m known as the guy who plays David, I think that’s actually a blessing… I trust [God], so when that time comes, I’ll worry about it then.” (43:53)

Memorable Light-hearted Moment

• Glenn asks Michael to “talk his daughter out of Broadway in 30 seconds.” Iskander gracefully demurs: “I don’t know if I want to talk her out of it.” (44:36)

Show Details & Recommendation

• Episode 8 of Season 2 releases Sunday on Amazon Prime (44:46).
• Glenn emphasizes the series’ binge-worthiness and recommends it enthusiastically (44:57).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Glenn Beck on responsibility:

  "Silence in the face of evil is evil itself. God will not hold us blameless. Not to act is to act." (16:03)

• Tucker Carlson (clip, on Nazi labeling):

  “Because once you start calling people Nazis, we really have no choice but to start shooting them to be Dietrich Bonhoeffer and sort of reach the end of reason or even Christianity. …We have to kill the guy. Not judging Bonhoeffer… but many ways that’s inevitable once we decide people are Nazis.” (06:48)

• Beck on digital IDs:

  “You can’t go anywhere, you can’t buy anything unless you have the mark. Well, I’m not saying Apple is coming up with the mark of the beast, but this is the technology that sure kind of fits it.” (23:19)

• Stu on the convenience trap:

  “History is littered with examples of people who say they're going to protect those lines. And when convenience rears its head, they choose the convenience. …almost no examples of people who will resist these technologies.” (29:42)

• Michael Iskander, on playing David:

  “David is a person to me. He’s the embodiment of what it means to be human and to make mistakes and yet to still find forgiveness.” (41:14)

Important Timestamps/Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Introduction & Bonhoeffer Segment Begins | 03:04 | | Tucker Carlson Bonhoeffer Clip | 06:48 | | The Story of Bonhoeffer’s Struggle | 07:13-16:38 | | Bonhoeffer’s Execution and Legacy | 14:40-16:38 | | Discussion of Modern Language/Evil | 16:38-18:20 | | Digital ID Segment Begins | 19:32 | | IBM Punch Card Analogy/Holocaust Parallel | 24:32-25:21 | | Reflection on COVID/Ease of Authoritarianism | 25:28-27:43 | | Patriot Act & Government Surveillance | 30:45-31:15 | | The Convenience Challenge—Why Tech Will Win | 29:42-33:46 | | Michael Iskander Interview Begins | 35:35 | | On Portraying Goliath/Sheep Lessons | 36:24-38:05 | | Spiritual Preparation for Playing David | 39:33 | | David’s Story & Universal Resonance | 41:14-42:38 | | Career Reflection/Typecasting as David | 43:53 | | Lighthearted Close & Show Details | 44:21-44:57 |

Language & Tone

• Glenn Beck: Passionate, reflective, occasionally sarcastic, and deeply moralistic. Many statements are laced with historical weight and appeals to personal responsibility.
• Stu: Dry humor, astute, plays the skeptical everyman and enjoys bantering contrasts with Glenn.
• Michael Iskander: Gracious, earnest, and humble—demonstrating sincere faith, gratitude for opportunities, and a contemplative spirit about his craft and calling.

Summary Takeaways

This episode explores the crossroads of history, faith, and contemporary technological dilemmas, asserting the timeless necessity of moral courage. Glenn Beck challenges listeners to move beyond passive complaint, to rigorous discernment and vigilance, particularly as conveniences threaten privacy and freedom. The interview with Michael Iskander offers an inspiring counterpoint—a celebration of redemptive stories, flawed heroes, and the quest to live out purpose and faith in both art and life. The podcast ultimately asks its audience to consider what lines must not be crossed, and what it will take to ensure our society remains both free and humane.