Donations and Delusions: Jacob Hansen Declares Internet Victory While Begging For Donations
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 5:30 pm
I know, I know. I should've taken Dallas Oaks' advice to not listen to Jacob Hansen's podcast. I guess this is what I get for ignoring Dallas Oaks’ warnings. My punishment was enduring Jacob’s lecture on how Mormons have won the internet. Apparently winning the internet also involves Jacob begging for travel funds and donations while simultaneously declaring total victory over everyone.
Jacob argues that ex-Mormon media has pivoted from serious discussions (like the CES Letter and racism) to a form of salacious entertainment he calls "cult porn." He claims that creators like John Dehlin and Alyssa Grenfell primarily attract non-Mormons who watch out of curiosity rather than members leaving the faith. He also claims that a new generation of courageous and honest LDS apologists (including his own channel and Ward Radio) are clearly winning the cultural war by inoculating members. Jacob concludes that the only remaining threat is feminist ideology targeting young women, but he remains optimistic that he will also win that war too.
It is a fascinating and delusional argument to claim you’re winning, while simultaneously begging for donations to cover your travel costs to debate the very people you’ve supposedly already defeated. And of course, Jacob never provides any data or information to support his argument that pro-Mormon media is actually winning anything.
If you’re a self-appointed apologists for a trillion dollar organization that has its own media empire and a literal army of missionaries working 100 hour weeks for free, claiming the tide has turned because you're finally competing with a few people in home studios is a pretty embarrassing. It’s not a cultural triumph, it’s an admission that a trillion-dollar institution can barely hold its own against some guys with a webcam and a YouTube channel. Imagine having a $400B hedge fund and a global media empire just to try to break even with a guy named John Dehlin who has a podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FB8g_9veaA
Jacob argues that ex-Mormon media has pivoted from serious discussions (like the CES Letter and racism) to a form of salacious entertainment he calls "cult porn." He claims that creators like John Dehlin and Alyssa Grenfell primarily attract non-Mormons who watch out of curiosity rather than members leaving the faith. He also claims that a new generation of courageous and honest LDS apologists (including his own channel and Ward Radio) are clearly winning the cultural war by inoculating members. Jacob concludes that the only remaining threat is feminist ideology targeting young women, but he remains optimistic that he will also win that war too.
It is a fascinating and delusional argument to claim you’re winning, while simultaneously begging for donations to cover your travel costs to debate the very people you’ve supposedly already defeated. And of course, Jacob never provides any data or information to support his argument that pro-Mormon media is actually winning anything.
If you’re a self-appointed apologists for a trillion dollar organization that has its own media empire and a literal army of missionaries working 100 hour weeks for free, claiming the tide has turned because you're finally competing with a few people in home studios is a pretty embarrassing. It’s not a cultural triumph, it’s an admission that a trillion-dollar institution can barely hold its own against some guys with a webcam and a YouTube channel. Imagine having a $400B hedge fund and a global media empire just to try to break even with a guy named John Dehlin who has a podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FB8g_9veaA
