By Small & Simple Screens

By Small & Simple Screens are worldviews formed. I help Latter-day Saint parents and leaders understand what children’s stories, movies, and media are teaching about God, family, and the world—so they can raise discerning, faithful kids in a media-saturated age. This channel primarily explores kids’ movies, books, social media, and other formative media through story analysis, symbolism, and worldview. We ask one central question: What is this story teaching my child about God, family, and the world? We also interview experts on the Family Proclamation, faith crisis among youth, social media and its effects, and media literacy. I’m Austin Falter—a father, filmmaker, Latter-Day Saint children’s author, and media professional with a background in communication. I’ve produced dozens of Latter-day Saint podcasts and share what I’m learning as a parent and storyteller navigating a story-shaped world. Media is never just entertainme

By Small & Simple Screens is a society podcast hosted by Austin Falter, with 14 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Austin Falter hosts By Small & Simple Screens, a society show with 14 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  By Small & Simple Screens

  Premortal Middle-Earth: Did Tolkien Discover the Premortal Life?

  Sep 10, 202648 min

  J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Catholic. So why does his creation story sound surprisingly Latter-day Saint? In this episode, I sit down with Christian from The Holy Rebellion and take him somewhere every Lord of the Rings fan should eventually go: The Silmarillion. Most people know Frodo, Gandalf, Sauron, and the One Ring. But Tolkien created an entire mythology behind Middle-earth, including a creation story that gives incredible new meaning to the world of The Lord of the Rings. And reading it through Latter-day Saint eyes reveals some fascinating parallels. We explore: Tolkien's creation of the world through music Ilúvatar and the divine council The Ainur and Latter-day Saint ideas about premortal existence Melkor's rebellion and its parallels to the War in Heaven The Flame Imperishable and divine authority Sauron, agency, power, and control Creation and the Book of Abraham Covenants, priesthood power, and divine light Why Tolkien believed myths could reveal fragments of truth We're not arguing that Tolkien secretly wrote Latter-day Saint theology. He was deeply Catholic, and his faith shaped his mythology. But the parallels are fascinating. And once you understand Tolkien's creation story, The Lord of the Rings may never feel quite the same again. What parallels do you see between Tolkien's mythology and the gospel? Let me know in the comments. ALL MY LINKS! https://smallsimplescreens.com/ Purchase "Family: A Rhyming Proclamation for Kids" https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/collections/childrens-books Check Out My LDS Kids Show (Brother Sunbeam) https://youtube.com/@BrotherSunbeam?si=WuFxgFJ1IgxZ1jJm By Small & Simple Screens helps Latter-day Saints see what movies, books, and media are actually teaching about God, family, and the world… I analyze kids’ stories, symbolism, and storytelling patterns through a gospel lens—not to cancel culture or panic parents, but to help families raise discerning kids in a media-saturated world. Disclaimer: This podcast and its content reflect my personal views and analysis as a Latter-day Saint parent, creator, and storyteller. It is not produced by, endorsed by, or representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its official teachings. Any references to doctrine, scripture, or Church publications are offered for discussion and personal study, not as official interpretation. CONTACT: Austin@Falter.Media #mormon #lds #latterdaysaints

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  By Small & Simple Screens

  What Happened to LDS Modesty Standards?

  Aug 21, 202639 min

  Did the Church change its standards on modesty, or did it change how we're expected to think about them? In this episode, I sit down with Luke Hanson for an honest conversation about modesty, For the Strength of Youth, parenting, clothing, and why this topic has become so difficult for Latter-day Saints to talk about. We look at the shift from specific clothing rules to today's more principle-based approach and ask what that actually means for parents and youth trying to make real decisions. We get into: What changed in For the Strength of Youth Whether clothing inevitably communicates something Why defining modesty has become so controversial The difference between principles and rigid checklists Whether parents should still establish standards at home Shame, judgment, sexuality, and the fear surrounding these conversations Why "higher and holier" may require more thought, not fewer standards Neither of us is interested in returning to a shame-based checklist. But avoiding the conversation altogether doesn't help our kids either. So what should we actually be teaching about modesty? Let me know what you think in the comments. ALL MY LINKS! https://smallsimplescreens.com/ Purchase "Family: A Rhyming Proclamation for Kids" https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/family-a-rhyming-proclamation-for-kids Check Out My LDS Kids Show (Brother Sunbeam) https://youtube.com/@brothersunbeam?si=WuFxgFJ1IgxZ1jJm By Small & Simple Screens helps Latter-day Saints see what movies, books, and media are actually teaching about God, family, and the world… I analyze kids’ stories, symbolism, and storytelling patterns through a gospel lens—not to cancel culture or panic parents, but to help families raise discerning kids in a media-saturated world. Disclaimer: This podcast and its content reflect my personal views and analysis as a Latter-day Saint parent, creator, and storyteller. It is not produced by, endorsed by, or representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its official teachings. Any references to doctrine, scripture, or Church publications are offered for discussion and personal study, not as official interpretation. CONTACT: Austin@Falter.Media #mormon #lds #latterdaysaints

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  By Small & Simple Screens

  Why Screen Time Rules Aren’t Enough Anymore

  Jul 30, 202619 min

  Giving your child a smartphone without preparing them is like handing them car keys without driver's ed. In this episode, I sit down with Kami Davis, co-creator of Screen Smarts, to talk about how parents can move beyond fear and teach kids the digital life skills they actually need. Instead of relying only on restrictions or screen time limits, Screen Smarts helps families build healthy habits through practical conversations and real-world preparation. We discuss: Why rules alone aren't enough How to prepare kids for social media, AI, scams, and online predators Talking about pornography without shame Building healthy technology habits as a family Helping kids become confident digital citizens instead of fearful consumers If you're raising kids in today's digital world, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can start using today. Special Offer Use code SCREENS for 10% off: Resources: https://learnscreensmartz.com/resources/ Screen Smarts Course: https://learnscreensmartz.com/course/ I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. What's been the biggest technology challenge in your family? ALL MY LINKS! https://smallsimplescreens.com/ Purchase "Family: A Rhyming Proclamation for Kids" https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/family-a-rhyming-proclamation-for-kids Check Out My LDS Kids Show (Brother Sunbeam) https://youtube.com/@BrotherSunbeam?si=WuFxgFJ1IgxZ1jJm By Small & Simple Screens helps Latter-day Saints see what movies, books, and media are actually teaching about God, family, and the world… I analyze kids’ stories, symbolism, and storytelling patterns through a gospel lens—not to cancel culture or panic parents, but to help families raise discerning kids in a media-saturated world. Disclaimer: This podcast and its content reflect my personal views and analysis as a Latter-day Saint parent, creator, and storyteller. It is not produced by, endorsed by, or representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its official teachings. Any references to doctrine, scripture, or Church publications are offered for discussion and personal study, not as official interpretation. CONTACT: Austin@Falter.Media #mormon #lds #latterdaysaints

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  By Small & Simple Screens

  Am I Wrong About Flat Characters? Why Good Characters Don't Always Transform

  Jul 9, 202627 min

  Aaron Wilson pushes back. Can characters who don't transform or change still teach our kids good morals? What are Paddington and Captain America teaching? Artists Hands Trailer (Aaron Wilson's Film) https://youtu.be/sJWMEBQ-RiI?si=aWG4Lu1DNO5zIHtw ALL MY LINKS! https://smallsimplescreens.com/ Purchase "Family: A Rhyming Proclamation for Kids" https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/family-a-rhyming-proclamation-for-kids Check Out My LDS Kids Show (Brother Sunbeam) https://youtube.com/@brothersunbeam?si=WuFxgFJ1IgxZ1jJm By Small & Simple Screens helps Latter-day Saints see what movies, books, and media are actually teaching about God, family, and the world… I analyze kids’ stories, symbolism, and storytelling patterns through a gospel lens—not to cancel culture or panic parents, but to help families raise discerning kids in a media-saturated world. Disclaimer: This podcast and its content reflect my personal views and analysis as a Latter-day Saint parent, creator, and storyteller. It is not produced by, endorsed by, or representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its official teachings. Any references to doctrine, scripture, or Church publications are offered for discussion and personal study, not as official interpretation. CONTACT: Austin@Falter.Media #mormon #lds #latterdaysaints

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  By Small & Simple Screens

  What Happened to Heroism in Marvel Movies?

  Jun 9, 202644 min

  In this episode, Tanner Millet and I dive deep into the changing moral landscape of Marvel movies and modern storytelling. What started as a conversation about superhero films quickly turned into a much bigger discussion about justice, sacrifice, heroism, and the stories shaping our culture. We explore: The difference between restorative and retributive justice Why classic hero stories focused on sacrifice and transformation How modern Marvel films often blur the line between hero and villain The role of trauma identity in modern protagonists Why movies like Black Panther and Shang-Chi still stand out And what today’s media is teaching kids about power, revenge, and morality We also discuss Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, the spiritual roots of storytelling, and why true heroism transcends gender and ideology. Whether you love Marvel, care about storytelling, or just want to think more deeply about the media shaping our world, this episode is for you. Purchase "Family: A Rhyming Proclamation for Kids" https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/family-a-rhyming-proclamation-for-kids Purchase "He Lives: A Rhyming Testimony of the Living Christ" https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/he-lives-a-rhyming-testimony-of-the-living-christ Check Out My LDS Kids Show (Brother Sunbeam) https://youtube.com/@BrotherSunbeam?si=WuFxgFJ1IgxZ1jJm Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/smallsimplescreens/ Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@SmallSimpleScreens By Small & Simple Screens helps Latter-day Saints see what movies, books, and media are actually teaching about God, family, and the world… I analyze kids’ stories, symbolism, and storytelling patterns through a gospel lens—not to cancel culture or panic parents, but to help families raise discerning kids in a media-saturated world. Disclaimer: This podcast and its content reflect my personal views and analysis as a Latter-day Saint parent, creator, and storyteller. It is not produced by, endorsed by, or representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its official teachings. Any references to doctrine, scripture, or Church publications are offered for discussion and personal study, not as official interpretation. CONTACT: Austin@Falter.Media #mormon #lds #latterdaysaints

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on By Small & Simple Screens. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.