Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: "It Was a MIRACLE": Glenn Beck Reacts to Charlie Kirk's Memorial | 9/22/25
Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Guests/Co-Hosts: Stu Burguiere (“Stu”), Becky

Overview

This episode is a deeply personal and reflective reaction from Glenn Beck following his attendance at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Beck and his co-hosts dissect the spiritual, cultural, and political significance of the event, emphasizing themes of revival, forgiveness, faith under fire, and what they perceive as an American spiritual and cultural crossroads. The conversation pivots from Beck’s emotional recounting of the day to broader discussions on justice, mercy, Christian responsibility, and the distinct responses between the political left and right to times of tragedy.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Miraculous Atmosphere at Charlie Kirk’s Memorial

[02:39], [04:50], [11:36], [12:24], [34:34]

• Beck describes the event as nothing short of a “miracle,” noting a sense of powerful spiritual movement among the attendees.
  • “It was absolutely an awakening. And if we follow through, if we stay the course…I've never witnessed anything like it...It was Billy Graham, except it was, you know, I guess normal people, you know what I mean?” – Glenn Beck [06:49]
• The memorial began with what Beck calls the “best worship service I’ve ever [seen],” with leaders of the Christian faith singing (“all the giants”), setting a sacred tone.
• Attendance was staggeringly high: approximately 100,000 in the stadium, another 20,000 in an overflow location, and over 100 million streaming the service globally.
• The event was compared to Billy Graham revivals in terms of scale and spiritual impact.

2. Tensions and Dangers: Mixing Politics and Faith

[07:45], [08:04], [09:17]

• Beck and his co-hosts discuss the delicate balance between honoring Charlie's political career and maintaining the focus on faith, cautioning against the event turning into a political rally.
• Reference made to the 2002 Paul Wellstone funeral:
  • “I was so afraid it was going to turn into that.” – Glenn Beck [08:04]
• Beck is candid about how public narrative and media will interpret religious symbolism or language as “nationalism,” referencing moments likely to be misconstrued.
  • “They're going to interpret that as a call for the nationalization of Christianity. And we're an army and he's building an army and all of that crap…” – Glenn Beck [09:02]

3. The Crowd, Public Perception, and the Media

[10:20], [10:59], [11:00], [11:36]

• Observations about protestors posing as “Westboro Baptist”-like figures and the presence of extreme symbols that might be seized upon by media to misrepresent the event.
• Beck notes that while “fringy” elements existed outside, they did not represent Charlie Kirk’s message.
• Massive turnouts and lines to enter the memorial, with thousands unable to get in despite arriving hours early, reinforces the hunger for spiritual engagement.

4. The Spiritual Need and “Revival”

[34:34], [62:34], [116:07], [117:21], [124:33]

• Beck sees grassroots evidence of a new spiritual awakening or revival, spurred in part by young people seeking meaning and answers in confusing times.
• He implores church leaders to acknowledge and feed the spiritual hunger for answers tied to contemporary realities.
  • “There are millions, especially youth, that are starving for this message. Why are you ignoring it?” – Glenn Beck [14:02]
• The importance of bringing faith into dialogue with current events was emphasized: “The scriptures are alive…they answer your questions today” [16:10].

5. Justice, Mercy, and Christian Forgiveness

[16:10], [48:35], [50:24], [61:24], [67:30], [67:55]

• Beck uses the memorial to reflect on the Christian doctrines of forgiveness and justice, particularly in the face of violence.
• Extended discussion on whether forgiveness means abandoning justice.
  • “It's a scale. One side is mercy, the other side is justice. They must be balanced.” – Glenn Beck [61:57]
• The government’s role (“the sword”) versus Christians’ duty to forgive (referencing Romans 13).
  • “It's our job to forgive, not the government's. Christians give grace. The government wields the sword.” – (Attributed to Ali Beth Stuckey, affirmed by Beck) [67:30]
• Beck critiques calls for vengeance or public executions, strongly insisting on a Christian ethic of mercy even when demanding that the law be upheld.

6. Erica Kirk’s Forgiveness and Testimony

[27:52], [29:42], [32:41], [48:35], [117:21], [124:33]

• Central to the episode are the words of Erica Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk.
• Her choice to publicly forgive her husband's assassin moved attendees and listeners worldwide:
  • “I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate…the answer...is love, and always love.” – Erica Kirk [28:09]
• The stadium’s response—a hushed reverence—underscored the rarity and depth of her forgiveness.
• Erica’s speech is described as “the best defense of marriage and family” Beck has ever heard.
• She called for a revival of true manhood and leadership in the family:
  • “To all the men watching around the world...accept Charlie’s challenge and embrace true manhood. Be strong and courageous for your families…” – Erica Kirk [124:33]

7. Contrasts to Secular and Media Narratives

[22:27], [23:14], [67:55], [68:41]

• Discussion of the secular media’s likely focus on spectacle and fringe, not the spiritual heart of the service.
  • “Think of the vision the average secular, urban reader of the New York Times gets of Christians. They’re evil, they’re hateful...And then when you see [Erica Kirk]...forgive in that moment…” – Becky [22:27]
• Critique of some political speakers at the event for miscalibrated tone, but affirmation that Erica’s testimony was the true, lasting message.

8. Rule of Law and the Differences Between Movements

[93:20], [101:32], [108:39], [109:04], [113:41], [121:27]

• Beck draws a distinction between the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and leftist activism after George Floyd, pointing to the response of prayer, peace, and forgiveness versus riots and chaos.
• He warns of increasing polarization and political violence, urging preparation and clarity of principles.
• The episode concludes with a call to “choose” which America listeners want: one based on fear and vengeance, or one striving for revival, rule of law, and forgiveness.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Erica Kirk’s Forgiveness [28:09]

  “I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love, and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute." – Erica Kirk

• The Moment of Awakening [06:49]:

  “I am still here to witness what I have been praying for. It was absolutely an awakening.” – Glenn Beck

• Faith vs. Politics [09:02]:

  "They're going to interpret that as a call for nationalization of Christianity ... and all of that crap..." – Glenn Beck

• Call for Revival [34:34]:

  “There are millions, especially youth, that are starving for this message. Why are you ignoring it?” – Glenn Beck

• On Forgiveness and Justice [61:57]:

  “It's a scale. One side of the scale is mercy, the other side is justice. They must be balanced.” – Glenn Beck

• Government vs. Christians on Forgiveness [67:30]:

  “It is our job to forgive, not the government's. Christians give grace. The government wields the sword.” – Ali Beth Stuckey (quoted/paraphrased by Beck)

• Christianity and Hard Choices [71:54]:

  “You need to strive for something bigger than that... Unless you want to be an animal, we are required to step up the game.” – Glenn Beck

• What Society Do You Want? [121:27]:

  “Which one do you want to be a part of? Which society, which civilization do you want to live in? Because that's what's really before us.” – Glenn Beck

• On the Role of Men & Families [124:33]:

  “Accept Charlie’s challenge and embrace true manhood. Be strong and courageous for your families. Love your wives and lead them.” – Erica Kirk

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening and Glenn’s Immediate Reflection: [02:39]–[07:45]
• Event’s Faith vs. Politics Dynamic: [07:45]–[11:36]
• Crowd Size & Impact of the Memorial: [11:36]–[15:02]
• Erica Kirk’s Speech & Forgiveness: [27:52]–[30:06], [48:35]–[50:24], [117:21]–[118:31], [124:33]–[125:34]
• Discussion on Justice and Mercy: [48:35]–[63:17]
• Contrast with Other Responses to Violence: [93:20]–[101:32]
• Rule of Law and Social Justice: [101:32]–[108:27]
• Christian Response vs. Secular/“Cancel Culture”: [108:39]–[116:49]
• Martin Luther King, Good vs. Evil: [116:07]–[117:15]

Tone & Style

• Emotional, earnest, and spiritual: Glenn Beck and guests speak candidly, often introspectively, pulling from personal faith and experience.
• Blunt and at times confrontational: Direct critiques of political opponents, media coverage, and "fringe" protestors.
• Reflective and inspirational: Calls for listeners to be part of spiritual awakening and to persevere in forgiveness and the pursuit of justice balanced by mercy.
• Conversational and story-driven: Longform discussion, back-and-forth, and personal anecdotes.

Final Thoughts

For those unfamiliar with the episode or event, this conversation provides a window into how a significant portion of the American right is experiencing and interpreting violent political events, and especially how faith is proposed as the foundation for societal healing, justice, and revival. The episode is as much a meditation on public grief and forgiveness as it is political comment. Beck’s strongest message is clear: in times of darkness and violence, Christians are called to respond with both justice and overwhelming mercy.