When will the heaven begin? Get to know the remarkable story of Ben Breedlove as told by his sister Ally

November 07, 2013

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You may remember the story of Ben Breedlove - the YouTube blogger who posted a variety primarily aimed at providing relationship advice to his peers. Ben was diagnosed with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at a young age, and the heart condition led to his untimely death on Christmas Day 2011. Ben was 18-years-old.

Just weeks before his death, Ben posted a video that has since gone viral, introducing himself and describing a near death experience he had as a result of his heart condition. His sister, Ally Breedlove, was the only person Ben had told about that experience and she has now written a book, When Will the Heaven Begin?: This Is Ben Breedlove's Story, about her brother’s life and death. Ally joined Glenn on radio this morning to talk about the book and how her family is coping with Ben’s passing.

“I think it was just about a two years ago that we saw the video… of a young man named Ben that most people had never heard of that had a heart condition. And he had died briefly. And they resuscitated him. His family didn't know, after that experience, he went in and cut a video with cards. I know if you saw it, you would remember it,” Glenn said. “You could see the joy in him. You could see the truth in him and what he had seen. He explained what his condition was through these cards. And then explained how he died and what he saw afterwards. It was such an amazing video.”

“We had the Breedlove family on with us. And then Tania and I took the family to dinner, and we just got to know them. And they are remarkable people,” he continued. “Ben's sister, Ally is joining us now. She's written a book, When Will the Heaven Begin? And it's an important story, especially for anybody who has lost hope in anything and you are struggling to hold on. This will restore your confidence in God and put your feet back on a good path.”

To start, Glenn asked Ally to explain the message of the book.

“Well Ben went through a lot of suffering in his life, but he lived everyday with peace, hope, and joy,” Ally said. “And despite what he went through, he knew that the peace of God was available to him. He knew that there was the hope of heaven, and he knew that he was here for a purpose, and that we need to live our lives with purpose and with joy everyday.”

On December 6, 2011, Ben went into cardiac arrest, and his heart stopped for a full three minutes. As Ally explained, during that time, he awoke in what he described as ‘the waiting room of heaven,’ where he was able to reflect on his entire life. In that moment, Ben believed that he was able to see himself through the eyes of God, and he wholeheartedly believed he was going to go to heaven. But then he woke up and found himself back on earth.

“And when he woke up, he was disappointed because he really believed that he was going to heaven. At this point, he was really struggling with that – being back and why he couldn't have just left the suffering of this world,” Ally said. “And he had a very intimate conversation with me, one of the only serious conversations I've ever had with my brother because he was such a jokester, where he described the vision in detail to me. And at one point, I asked him if he was happy that he had woken up. And he said, I guess. And then he started crying really hard. And I just had to remind him that if he was back, he was back for a reason. And essentially, he said, ‘I think you're right. I think God let me have that vision so I wouldn't be afraid of dying. And so I would know that heaven is worth it.’”

That story is the premise behind When Will the Heaven Begin?: This Is Ben Breedlove's Story.

Ally hopes that the story will serve as a source of hope and joy in spite of pain and encourage people to recognize the reason and the purpose in every situation. During her stay in Dallas ahead of her interview this morning, Ally was already able to accomplish at least a small part of her goal.

“There are people that are writing you guys, telling you how you have changed lives,” Glenn said. “You were coming here, you were in the [the hotel] and you sat down coincidentally, some would say. Tell the story. Can you?”

“I was in the lobby of my hotel, and a man asked me, you know, what was I there for. And I told him about the book. And coincidentally – well, I don't believe in coincidences – but he had a form of cardiomyopathy,” Ally explained “And I told him how Ben lived everyday with joy. And he looked at me and said, ‘Does the joy last because I don't think it has for me.’ And so I handed him a copy of the book, and it is my deepest desire that this story will bring peace and hope to people’s lives.”

“I think it will,” Glenn said. “I can't encourage you enough to read this story and pass it on to a friend. It will lift you up. I believe that it was a story given to Ben. You may say it was given to Ben, and maybe it was given to Ben for Ben, but I believe [it was] for a reason. And you who are listening, you may be the reason it was given. Pick this book up, When Will the Heaven Begin?: This Is Ben Breedlove's Story, by Ally Breedlove available in stores and online everywhere.”

Watch the entire interview below:

Glenn unveils CIA’s grim Dire Wolf conspiracy

"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should."

-Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park

The monstrous Dire Wolf, extinct for 10,000 years, has returned. This larger, ancient wolf species—popularized by HBO’s Game of Thrones—was resurrected by Colossal Laboratories, a Dallas-based bioscience company. Colossal utilized both preserved ancient Dire Wolf DNA and modern gray wolf DNA combined with some clever gene-crafting and a healthy pinch of hubris to create three approximations of the ancient canine.

While the wolves posed for a photoshoot alongside Game of Thrones props and its creator, Colossal’s broader plans remain unclear. However, what Glenn recently uncovered about the company is far more monstrous than the wolves will ever be. Glenn revealed that the CIA, through a nonprofit group known as In-Q-Tel, is funding Colossal's endeavors to bring back all sorts of extinct beasts. With the recently released JFK Files exposing the CIA’s unchecked power, Glenn warns of the dangerous potential behind this genetic manipulation—and the rogue agency’s possible motives.

Why is the CIA an investor in Colossal, the company that just brought back the extinct dire wolf? Is it purely for environmental purposes? Or are they hoping to bioengineer animal super weapons? pic.twitter.com/ZUbAZ2LDdi
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) April 8, 2025

Here are the top three most horrifying uses the CIA could have for this technology:

Dual-Use Technology

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Colossal and other biotech firms advertise a variety of "civilian" uses for bioengineered beasts, including research subjects, exotic zoos, and even climate restoration. As dubious as those uses are, Glenn revealed that the CIA could be cooking up something much worse. Gene-editing tools like CRISPR are inherently dual-purpose and easily adaptable for military use. As one of Colossal’s major investors, the CIA gains prime access to cutting-edge biotech, likely eyeing its potential for warfare.

Frankenstein’s Spy Lab

Like AI, one can only guess at the maximum capabilities of this gene-editing technology. On air, Glenn speculated about bioengineered resilient organisms, animals with tweaked senses designed for espionage or combat in areas inaccessible to drones or humans. Playing God to create new weapons of war sounds right up the CIA's alley.

Even worse than man-made mutant mutts, Glenn pointed out that these augmentations are by no means limited to animals. We could see (or rather, hear unverified rumors of) the rise of the next generation of super soldier projects. Human experimentation is not outside of the CIA's scope (think MKUltra), and genetically or chemically augmented humans have been a pipe dream for many a clandestine organization for decades. Is there anything more horrifying than an agency with as little oversight as the CIA in control of something as powerful and potentially devastating as gene-augmentation?

Eco-Warfare Unleashed

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Why attack a single target when you could attack an entire ecosystem instead?

Anyone who has had to deal with the destructive effects of fire ants knows how dangerous an invasive species can be to the human, plant, and animal inhabitants of any given region. Now imagine genetically engineered Dire Wolves or Woolly Mammoths unleashed by the CIA to cripple an enemy’s agriculture or environment. Such a weapon could inflict irreparable damage from a distance. Even the mere threat of eco-warfare might serve as a deterrent, though its unpredictability could reshape the world in ways we can’t control or repair.

Did Trump’s Liberation Day change the game? 3 bold takeaways revealed

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President Trump’s new tariffs have sparked global outrage, and even conservatives are divided over the merits of his plan.

On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, President Trump declared "Liberation Day" to usher in a new era for the American economy. This bold initiative began with the introduction of sweeping tariffs on most—if not all—countries trading with the United States. These tariffs are reciprocal, meaning the percentage charged to each country mirrors the tariffs they impose on U.S. goods. The goal was to level the playing field between America and its trade partners.

As Glenn predicted, these tariffs have caused some immediate damage to the economy; the stock market has been hit hard, and China has already imposed a retaliatory tariff. While many fear that a recession is inbound, along with a global trade war, others are trusting in Trump's plan, keeping their head and preparing to ride out this rough patch.

So, what exactly are these "Liberation Day" tariffs, and what happened on April 2? Here are the top three takeaways:

Baseline Tariff

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To kick off Liberation Day, the White House unveiled a baseline tariff affecting all imports to the U.S. Starting April 5, 2025, every good entering the United States will face a 10% tariff, regardless of its country of origin. While some nations face additional tariffs on top of this baseline, others—like the UK, Australia, and Argentina—only pay the 10% rate. These countries enjoy this leniency because they impose relatively low tariffs on American goods.

Reciprocal Tariffs

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For the countries that levied heavy tariffs against America, Trump hit them back hard. Cambodia, for instance, now faces a steep 49% tariff, while China contends with 34%, the EU with 20%, and Iraq with 39%. While these tariff rates may seem steep, they are all a good bit lower than the rates they apply against the U.S (see the full chart here). Trump’s strategy is to make foreign goods prohibitively expensive, encouraging manufacturing and jobs to return to American soil. Whether this gamble succeeds remains to be seen.

Canada and Mexico

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Notably absent from the "Liberation Day" tariff list are Canada and Mexico, America’s closest neighbors. That’s because Trump already imposed tariffs on them earlier this year. In February 2025, he slapped a 25% tariff on most goods imported from both countries to pressure them into curbing the flow of fentanyl across U.S. borders. Exceptions include agricultural products, textiles, apparel, and other items protected under NAFTA.

Does France's latest move PROVE lawfare is on the rise?

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An all-too-familiar story unfolded in France this week: the is law being weaponized against a "far-right" candidate. Does that ring a bell?

Glenn was taken aback earlier this week when he learned that Marine Le Pen, a popular French conservative, had been banned from the 2027 election following a controversial conviction. The ruling shocked French conservatives and foreign politicians alike, many of whom saw Le Pen as France’s best conservative hope. President Trump called it a "very big deal," a view shared by French commentators who fear this marks the end of Le Pen’s political career.

But this isn’t just about France—it’s a symptom of a larger threat looming over the West.

A double standard?

Fmr. President Sarkozy (left) and Fmr. Prime Minister Fillon (right)

BERTRAND GUAY / Contributor, Chesnot / Contributor | Getty Images

As of Sunday, March 30, 2025, Marine Le Pen led the polls with a commanding edge over her rivals, offering French conservatives their strongest shot at the presidency in years. Hours later, that hope crumbled. Found guilty of embezzling EU funds, Le Pen was sentenced to two years of house arrest, fined €100,000 ($108,200), and banned from public office for five years, effective immediately.

Glenn quickly highlighted an apparent double standard. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy and former Prime Minister François Fillon faced similar—or worse—corruption charges, yet neither was barred from office during their political runs. So why Le Pen, and why now? Similar to Trump’s "hush money" trial, legal troubles this late in the election cycle reek of interference. The decision should belong to voters—France’s largest jury—not a courtroom. This appears to be a grave injustice to the French electorate and another crack in democracy’s foundation.

This is NOT about France

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This pattern stretches far beyond France; it’s a tactic we’ve seen before.

In early 2025, Bucharest’s streets erupted in protest after Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the first round of its presidential election. Călin Georgescu, a rising conservative, had clinched an unexpected victory, only to have it stripped away amid baseless claims of Russian interference. His supporters raged against the decision, seeing it as a theft of their voice.

Both Georgescu and Le Pen echo the legal barrage President Trump endured before his 2024 win. The Left hurled every weapon imaginable at him, unleashing unprecedented lawfare. In America, the Constitution held, and the people’s will prevailed.

Now, with Tesla vandalism targeting Elon Musk’s free-speech stance, a coordinated pushback against freedom is clear—spanning France, Romania, the U.S., and beyond.

The war on free will

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Trump’s 2024 victory doesn’t mean lawfare is dead; Europe shows it’s thriving.

France and Romania prove its effectiveness, sidelining candidates through courts rather than ballots. Glenn warned us about this years ago—when the powerful can’t win at the polls, they turn to the gavel. It’s a chilling trend of stripping voters of their choice and silencing dissent, all the while pawning it off as justice. The playbook is polished and ready, and America’s turn could come sooner than we think.

Melania Trump's fashion influence inspires the next generation

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First Lady Melania Trump’s impeccable style has long captivated admirers across the globe, but for one young woman, it sparked a creative revolution.

Lorelai, a young Glenn Beck fan who requested a degree of anonymity, first met Glenn while attending America Fest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona with her grandmother. An aspiring fashion designer and illustrator, Lorelai shared with Glenn some of her sketches of characters from Glenn’s latest book, Chasing Embers. She also explained how Melania Trump became the cornerstone of her artistic journey, inspiring her to craft modest yet beautiful clothing that redefines modern fashion.

Melania Trump’s elegance—stunning, powerful, and undeniably feminine—first captured Lorelai’s attention during the First Lady’s time in the White House. Unlike the casual, often immodest trends dominating her peers’ wardrobes, Melania’s wardrobe exuded grace and sophistication. From tailored coats to flowing gowns, her choices were a masterclass in balancing boldness with dignity, a philosophy that resonated deeply with Lorelai. This admiration grew into inspiration as Lorelai began designing apparel specifically with Melania in mind, aspiring to design pieces that could match the First Lady’s grace. She strove to reflect Melania’s breathtaking style in her sketches in an effort to demonstrate how modesty can be beautiful.

The First Lady’s poised and graceful presence has redefined modesty for the modern era. To Lorelai, the First Lady’s style proves that more fabric offers boundless room for imagination, allowing personality to shine without sacrificing dignity. Melania embodies this perfectly—her fashion commands attention with stunning, memorable elegance. Inspired by this, Lorelai’s mission is to craft clothing for her generation that mirrors Melania’s influence, blending contemporary flair with classic beauty.

After her meeting with Glenn at America Fest, Lorelai’s passion and resolve have only deepened. Through fashion and art, Lorelai hopes to inspire others with the same grace that Melania Trump exemplifies. Below are some of Lorelai's sketches she was eager to share with Glenn.

Melania Trump: First Lady

I really adore First Lady Melania Trump’s grace and timeless beauty. She is extremely intelligent and brave but also strong and poised. Her fashion style displays these traits. I was inspired to create these outfits for our First Lady in hopes that she would see these drawings. -Lorelai

Melania Trump: Lady Liberty

We, as a country, will be celebrating next year our 250th anniversary of independence. The designs that inspired this patriotic gown came from Lady Liberty and Lady Columbia art. I also love our American flag, and this design is a combination of all three. -Lorelai

Chasing Embers Character Art (Ember)

I chose to draw the characters Sky, Azaz and Ember from Glenn Beck and Mikayla G. Hedrick’s Chasing Embers series. -Lorelai

Chasing Embers Concept Art (Ember)

I was inspired to draw a younger and teen version for Sky and Ember. -Lorelai

Chasing Embers Character Art (Sky)

Chasing Embers Concept Art (Azaz)

I also gave multiple outfits designs for Sky and Azaz. I loved that their personalities and character development meant in my mind a wardrobe development too. -Lorelai

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