The Glenn Beck Program – Best of the Program | Guest: Ryan Mauro | 12/16/25

Episode Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program explores pivotal subjects in American culture, politics, and collective memory. Glenn Beck uses storytelling and interviews to shed light on both current and historical challenges facing America. Highlights include a heartfelt recount of the 1914 Christmas Truce, a critical dialogue with researcher Ryan Mauro on the emergence of radical extremist alliances in the U.S., and an insightful reflection on the enduring legacy of "It's a Wonderful Life." The episode’s urgent tone underscores themes of vigilance, hope, and the significance of everyday acts.

Key Segments & Insights

1. The Christmas Truce – Lessons From the Trenches

Starts at 04:41

• Glenn Beck shares the story of the 1914 Christmas Truce during World War I, reciting letters written by soldiers on both sides.
• British and German troops spontaneously ceased fire, sang carols, exchanged gifts, and buried their dead together.
• Beck emphasizes the moral spark of shared humanity and Judeo-Christian values in even the darkest times.

Notable Quotes:

• “It seemed impossible that we were actually really enemies...For a time the war simply was not there. It was strange, very strange, because tomorrow we will have to shoot at one another again. It will be hard to shoot them now.” [British Soldier’s Letter, 06:22]
• “One could see that the man, the human being lives on, even if he knows nothing more in these days than killing. Christmas 1914 will be unforgettable to me.” [German Soldier’s Letter, 10:10]
• “History is not living in textbooks...It lives in breath. It lives in cold hands. It lives in fear and in longing. And a letter like that is not data that you should remember. 1914. That letter is a heartbeat that has long gone, long been silenced.” [Glenn Beck, 15:07]

Memorable Moment:
Glenn connects this story to modern lessons, reflecting on how light shines in “the middle of war” and urging listeners to seek and offer hope during the holiday season.

2. Turtle Island Liberation Front & The Rise of Radical Alliances

Starts at 17:50

Background:

• The DOJ and FBI arrest members of Turtle Island Liberation Front, a far-left, anti-capitalist, anti-government group planning widespread bombings in California.
• Glenn interviews researcher Ryan Mauro (from Capital Research Center), who had previously warned about the group's radical potential.

Key Discussion Points:

• Origins & Ideology:

  • “Turtle Island” is an indigenous term for North America, repurposed by radicals to symbolize anti-American, anti-capitalist, and anti-Israel sentiment.
  • The group’s unifying factor is the liberation of “Turtle Island,” viewing the U.S. as a colonial oppressor akin to the Israeli-Palestinian narrative.

• Red-Green Alliance:

  • The coalition links communists (“Red”), Islamists (“Green”), and indigenous activists, who share short-term goals of disrupting Western society despite differing ultimate objectives.
  • “They’re all going to sort that out later. They just want to kill us first...then they'll start eating each other.” [Beck, 24:14]

• Strategic Targeting:

  • Mauro’s research mapped over 150 extremist groups. Their communications revealed a shift from solely anti-Israel activism to broader anti-police, anti-capitalist operations in the U.S.
  • “It actually came to fruition in a way that's much more vivid than I anticipated. So although this plot was foiled, make no mistake about it, it is a marker in time for this new era, this new offensive that has begun.” [Mauro, 25:31]

• Future Risks & Narrative Manipulation:

  • Beck and Mauro warn of the high likelihood that Turtle Island rhetoric could become the next catalyst for mass activism, similar to the Black Lives Matter movement.
  • The narrative manipulates biblical and historical analogies (Garden of Eden, Christ) to recast Native Americans as sacrificial figures, fueling emotional attachment among activists.

• Call to Action:

  • Cooperation between civilian researchers and law enforcement is vital due to legal constraints on government surveillance.
  • Counter-narratives grounded in authentic historical documentation are necessary to prevent ideological hijacking.

Notable Quotes:

• “The theme of Turtle island is kind of the...Turtle Island Intifada is kind of like what's bringing together all of these ideologies.” [Mauro, 24:47]
• “This propaganda goes from...the terrorists, overseas governments to Turtle island folks, over to the Christian anarchists...So this is all one seditionist movement.” [Mauro, 27:17]
• “We need to put together a team to map out the Turtle Island Intifada...and the second thing is actually what I think you're doing with preserving history is very important here because the counter narrative is going to require us to use historical documents to tell the truth of everything that went on with the Native American tribes, the good, the bad and the ugly.” [Mauro, 29:35]

Memorable Moment:
Glenn urges audience support for Mauro’s ongoing research and highlights the critical role of fact-based narrative in defending Western values.

3. "It’s a Wonderful Life" – Hidden Strength in Ordinary Sacrifice

Starts at 32:08

• Glenn narrates the little-known history of “It’s a Wonderful Life”:
  • Released after WWII, the film initially flopped—audiences, exhausted by war, rejected its somber realism.
  • It was later rediscovered accidentally due to lapsed copyrights and became the quintessential Christmas film through repeated TV reairings.
• Glenn suggests that the real magic of the film isn’t the fantastical elements but the quiet strength of George Bailey—a “good man” whose small deeds and sacrifices, invisible while living them, ultimately transform his community.
• The episode encourages listeners to reconsider their own lives’ worth and unseen impact, especially in a culture obsessed with visible achievement.

Notable Quotes:

• “The measure of your life is probably going to be invisible to you while you're living your life because Clarence ain't coming down in his, you know, 1800s clothing and having a hot toddy with you. So you probably won't know the real measure of your life.” [Beck, 36:47]
• “This film answers it with a whisper...You'll never see the ripples while you're standing in the water, but they're there. Believe me, they're there.” [Beck, 38:02]
• “Life doesn't have to be loud to be important. That staying can be braver than leaving.” [Beck, 39:05]

Memorable Moment:
The film, says Glenn, serves as an annual reminder that “you’re here, you mattered and it is a wonderful life.” [End of segment]

Additional Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Modern Discontent:
  “Most media today is designed to do exactly that. Make you literally insane, dumber, weaker, more confused.” – John Doyle, guest promo [00:02]

• On Defending Freedom:
  “We push back against the lies, the censorship, the nonsense of the mainstream media that they're trying to feed you. We work tirelessly to bring you the unfiltered truth because you deserve it.” [Beck, 03:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:41 – Christmas Truce Story (Glenn Beck)
• 17:50 – Turtle Island Liberation Front Segment Intro
• 20:34 – Glenn Beck interviews Ryan Mauro
• 32:08 – “It’s a Wonderful Life” Reflection

Episode Tone and Takeaways

Glenn Beck’s signature mix of wit, earnestness, and gravity shapes the episode’s tone. The stories and analysis invite listeners to recognize the enduring value of hope, courage, and memory—whether facing historical darkness, contemporary extremism, or personal doubts. The episode ultimately asks the audience to participate in preserving history, defending liberties, and rediscovering the quiet significance of everyday lives.