Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler
783 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 812 ratingsWelcome to our podcast!
My name is Richard H. Ostler and I am a native of Salt Lake City, small business owner, married father of six with several grandchildren. I believe in and am deeply committed to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and want it to work for a wider group.
I am the author of three books:
“Listen Learn and Love: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints” published in 2020 available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/5248297.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462135773)
“Listen Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture” published in 2022. The book explores who we can do better to help all Latter-day Saints feel more welcome, needed and a feeling of belonging in our congregations. Available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/6003149.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462139566)
“Listen Learn and Love: Building the Good Ship Zion” released in Sept 2023. The book explores additional topics to help all Latter-day Saint feel welcome and needed on the Good Ship Zion. Available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/6026921.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462145280)
The purpose of all three books is to help us better create Zion by helping more feel welcome, a sense of belonging, and needed in our congregations.
Proceed from the books go the Stockton Power Memorial Scholarship (www.standingforstockton.com) in honor of Stockton Powers a gay Latter-day Saint teenager who died of suicide in 2016. Everything I do is a self-funded labor of love ❤️
I am the author of two Ensign articles:
‘How the Savior’s Healing Power Applies to Repenting from Sexual Sin’ (August 2020/YSA Digital Only) www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/08/young-adults/how-the-saviors-healing-power-applies-to-repenting-from-sexual-sin
‘7 Tips for Overcoming Pornography Use’ (October, page 72) www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/10/young-adults/7-tips-for-overcoming-pornography-use.
This podcast is designed to discuss some more complicated issues in our church to help all of us better “listen, learn and love” so we can minister in a more effective way to all of our Heavenly Parents’ children.
Podcasts are indexed by category at listenlearnandlove.org/podcasts
Thank you for joining us. You can't donate to this podcast. There are no sponsors. But you can leave a review/rate the podcast on the platform you are listening and/or leave a review at Deseret Book/Amazon on my books.
With love, Richard 'Papa' Ostler ❤
Twitter: twitter.com/Papa_Ostler
IG: www.instagram.com/papa_ostler
Facebook: facebook.com/richard.ostler.5
E-mail: [email protected]
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Episodes
Episode 706: Jaci Wightman, New Book “Ignited”
October 12, 2023 04:15 - 54 minutes - 74.9 MBMy friend Jaci Wightman (married mother of 7, LDS author, faith-based wellness coach) joins us to talk about her new book called “Ignited”. The book is a call to anyone who’s ever felt dead inside or empty or restless or numb or just feels like their inner flame has blown out. The book looks at the powerful solutions that are found in the scriptures to heal these feelings. In the podcast, Jaci talks about moving beyond a ‘check-list’ approach to a more principled approach to find peace, e...
Episode 705: Tyler Schwab, President and Founder Libertas International
October 08, 2023 22:17 - 1 hour - 113 MB** Trigger Warning: This episode talks about the realities of sex trafficking ** My friend Tyler Schwab (early 30’s, Wyoming Native, RM from Dominican Republic, Human Trafficking Training from Vanguard University, MBA degree) joins us to talk about answering the call (after returning home from his mission) to return to Latin America and work to solve sex trafficking. Tyler talks about selling everything he owned and returning to the Dominican Republic and his journey over the past decad...
Episode 704: Mason Jones, Limerence
October 05, 2023 03:00 - 52 minutes - 72.1 MBMy friend Mason Jones (Age 19, Preparing for an LDS Mission) joins us to share his journey with Limerence—a mental health issue. Mason describes his own journey with Limerence as an “an absolute infatuation with another person—so much more than a crush. It's an obsession over them. My mood became completely dependent on their every slight reaction.” In the podcast, Mason bravely shares his story including having a normal crush on a girl at age 17—which transformed into Limerence—and how Ma...
Episode 703: David, Gay Latter-day Saint, Solving Porn, Sexual Assault Survivor, Once Suicidal
October 02, 2023 03:53 - 1 hour - 92.6 MBMy friend David (not his real name) joins us to share his story. David starts with section 1 of his story (age 7-17) realizing he was gay at age 7 and (after hearing inappropriate conversations) turned to porn to learn more—which led to constant porn use. David talks the shame of porn, how it was a coping mechanism, and then opening up to his bishop and parents. David continues with section 2 of his story (age 18-22) which includes going away to college and some dating of men—one of whic...
Episode 702: Dr. Debra Theobald McClendon, New Comprehensive Book on Scrupulosity
September 29, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 141 MBMy friend, Dr. Debra Theobald McClendon, joins us to talk about her new book: “Freedom from Scrupulosity: Reclaiming Your Religious Experience from Anxiety and OCD”—a powerful book focused on a comprehensive examination of religious and moral scrupulosity, with a focus on treatment. In the podcast, Dr. McClendon (active LDS, licensed psychologist, Ensign/LDS living author, speaker at Education Week and BYU Women’s Conference) gives an overview of her new book covering anxiety, scrupulosity,...
Episode 701: Aubrey and Tim Chaves, Restore: A Faith Matters Gathering, Oct 12-14, 2023.
September 27, 2023 03:24 - 51 minutes - 71.5 MBMy friends Aubrey and Tim Chaves (Executive Board Members, Faith Matters) join us to talk about Restore—a two-day gathering from that brings together the best minds exploring the biggest questions as we look forward to the Restoration’s third century. In this episode, Aubry and Tim talk the vision of Restore, who is participating, who they hope will attend, and how they hope it improves our community. I loved attending Restore in 2022 and encourage you to consider attending Restore in ...
Episode 700: Christina Judd, Latter-day Saint Author
September 25, 2023 14:01 - 1 hour - 84 MBMy friend Christina Judd (married mother of three, active LDS) joins us to talk about her new book “All We Can Do: A Fresh View of God, Ourselves, and the World”. Christina talks about “the bottom falling out of her life” even though she was doing all the right things as a Latter-day Saint. She talks about having to develop new, more sustainable spiritual tools versus her earlier “check-list” approach. She talks about accepting President Nelson’s challenge to study the scriptures, l...
Episode 699: Kristine Coons (transgender) and her wife Laura (cisgender), Active LDS
September 22, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 107 MBMy friends Dr. Kristine Coons (Internal Medicine Physician, RM) and her wife Laura (mother of four, BYU grad) join us from Hawaii where they are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary to share their remarkable story. Kristine talks about her long-term gender dysphoria and coming out her wife in 2014. They talk about their “lifeline” of communication and the gospel to help them stay committed in their marriage and to navigate this road. Laura talks about supporting her wife as she t...
Episode 698: Jessi Duncan, Black Latter-day Saint, Leaning into Discomfort to Create Zion
September 19, 2023 03:06 - 1 hour - 159 MBMy friend Jessi Duncan (married mother of four, wife of Bradon Duncan Episode 687, lives in Arkansas, court appointed advocate for foster children, RM) joins us to share her story. Jessi talks about her journey as a black Latter-day Saint and the racism that is still present in church culture and broader society. She gives specific examples, how we need to own/teach our past to “understand the darkness”, and ways we can do better. She talks about how this is part of President Nelson’s c...
Episode 697: Tyler Shaw, Age 34, Single Latter-Day Saint
September 17, 2023 14:36 - 1 hour - 87 MBMy dear friend (and former YSA) Tyler Shaw (RM, active Latter-day Saint, works for the Church) joins us to share his unexpected life reality of being single. Tyler talks about returning from his mission and believed his life plan was to get married around age 24-25, have children, and then be done having children around age 30. Well, that is not how life is turning out for Tyler. Tyler talks about how he is managing a life different than he expected. It is a story of courage, faith, an...
Episode 696: Chris Rich, Active LDS, Find Peace and Hope After Family Left the Church
September 15, 2023 02:09 - 1 hour - 108 MBMy friend Chris Rich (married mother of three, husband and all three children stepped away from the Church, grew up in SLC, lives in Western Massachusetts, professional life coach) joins us to share her story. Chris talks learning to process the emotions (worried, angry, disappointment, resentment, and grief) of having family members leave the church and learning how to get through those emotions to find peace. Chris talks about the constant thought of “this isn’t what I signed up for” bu...
Episode 697: Chris Rich, Active LDS, Find Peace and Hope After Family Left the Church
September 15, 2023 02:09 - 1 hour - 108 MBMy friend Chris Rich (married mother of three, husband and all three children stepped away from the Church, grew up in SLC, lives in Western Massachusetts, professional life coach) joins us to share her story. Chris talks learning to process the emotions (worried, angry, disappointment, resentment, and grief) of having family members leave the church and learning how to get through those emotions to find peace. Chris talks about the constant thought of “this isn’t what I signed up for” bu...
Episode 695: Matt and Heather Robertson, Navigating Marriage Through Changes in Faith
September 13, 2023 03:23 - 1 hour - 123 MBMy dear friends Matt and Heather Robertson (married 30 years, three children) join us to share their story of family unity, love, and respect for all family members in the various Church paths they are walking. Matt and Heather talk about Matt’s long journey which eventually led to Matt no longer participating in the Church and then resigning in October 2022. Matt and Heather (who still attends and holds a calling) talk about how they learned to talk about difficult subjects, listen, hold...
Episode 695: Matt and Heather Robertson, Navigating Marriage Through Changes in Faith,
September 13, 2023 03:23 - 1 hour - 123 MBMy dear friends Matt and Heather Robertson (married 30 years, three children) join us to share their story of family unity, love, and respect for all family members in the various Church paths they are walking. Matt and Heather talk about Matt’s long journey which eventually led to Matt no longer participating in the Church and then resigning in October 2022. Matt and Heather (who still attends and holds a calling) talk about how they learned to talk about difficult subjects, listen, hold...
Episode 694: Richard Ostler New Book: “Listen, Learn and Love: Building the Good Ship Zion”
September 10, 2023 04:17 - 1 hour - 100 MBThis episode is the launch of my new book called “Listen, Learn and Love: Building the Good Ship Zion”. The “Good Ship Zion” represents The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all the good it can bring into our lives. But not everyone feels welcome and secure in the boat. Instead of putting the responsibility on others to get comfortable—or to figuratively stop rocking the boat—we can all work in our circles of influence to improve the Good Ship Zion for everyone, as we journey t...
Episode 693: Adam Maughan, Gay, Age 31, PhD Student
September 07, 2023 03:33 - 1 hour - 102 MBMy friend Adam Maughan (from Avon Utah, Indy RM, not active in the Church, conversion therapy survivor) joins us to bravely share his story. Adam starts with realizing he was attracted to men prior to his mission but believed exercising his faith through increased religious behaviors would make him straight and acceptable to God. However once on his mission, it became apparent to Adam that his feelings for men had not gone away. He felt that God was displeased with him, and that his sexua...
Episode 692: Brian Pedersen, Gay Former Latter-day Saint, Atheist Turned Christian
September 05, 2023 12:31 - 1 hour - 98.8 MBMy friend Brian Pedersen (age 34, University of Utah English Graduate, Lives in Utah) shares his unique journey. Brian starts with growing up in Sandy, Utah, realizing he was gay at around 11, living his life as an anti-Mormon, but then opening the door to a different path. I'm 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, Brian started to read Christian/Religious authors in an honest attempt to make sense of the world and find more peace and hope in his life. That door of extensive reading, ...
Episode 691: Zach Tucker, Gay Latter-day Saint, Dear Family Friend
September 03, 2023 02:31 - 1 hour - 108 MBOur family friend Zach Tucker (age 26, Russia RM, University of Utah Finance Grad, Current MBA Student at University of Minnesota) joins us to share his story. Zach (who is no longer active in the Church and plans to marry a man) shares his journey to accept his sexual orientation (mostly after his mission) and eventually come out to family and friends (lots of love and support). Zach talks in-depth about coming out to others (a close *girlfriend*) and then his family (via a group video) ...
Episode 690: Dave Higham, 3-Time Bishop, Lost Membership, Returning
September 01, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 99.7 MBMy friend Dave Higham joins us from his home on Vancouver Island, British Columbia to share his story. Dave (in his mid-50’s) shares this story of losing his church membership while serving as a Bishop, in hopes of helping others who have lost their membership and are working to have their membership restored. Dave talks about the shame and embarrassment of losing his Church membership and the possible impact on other’s testimonies—and how he is finding peace. Dave talks about friends t...
Episode 689: Christi Davis, LDS Author, Mixed-Faith Families
August 30, 2023 03:48 - 1 hour - 87.3 MBMy friend Christi Davis (married mother of seven, certified life coach, author, podcaster, lives in Gilbert Arizona) join us to talk about her new book called “The Power of a Faithful Mother: Parenting in the Latter Days with a Faith-Filled Mindset. Christi shares some of her own story including her husband Jeff stepping away from the Church and how they worked to maintain a strong and healthy marriage (Jeff has since returned to the Church). So many wonderful principles and insights to...
Episode 688: Dan Neumann, Gay, in a Mixed-Orientation Marriage, Father of 2 Beautiful Girls
August 28, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 118 MBMy friend Dan Neumann (Pediatrician, age 36, married father of 2, RM, lives in Roy Utah, no longer active in the church) joins us to share his powerful story. Dan talks about growing up in Elgin, IL, being very active in the Church, and knowing he was attracted to boys — but always expecting it would go away. Dan talks about silently suffering during these years with depression and suicidal ideation, while trying to compensate by being an overachiever. Dan talks about how, because of his ...
Episode 687: Braden Duncan, Gay Latter-day Saint
August 26, 2023 04:18 - 1 hour - 113 MBMy friend Braden Duncan (married father of 4, Active LDS, Therapist, Lives in Arkansas, age 40) joins us the share his remarkable story. Braden talks about growing up in Midway Utah and coming out to his Bishop (good experience and the good advice he received). Braden then talks about the “wise counsel” he wishes he been given before entering into his mixed-orientation marriage to his wife Jessi. He talks about how not talking about it before they married took away Jessi’s right to make ...
Episode 686: Richard Ostler Advice for LGBTQ Allies
August 23, 2023 03:40 - 1 hour - 92.9 MBIn this episode, I do a solo podcast for Latter-day Saints who want to better support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints in their area of influence. Links: Stockton Powers Memorial Scholarship: www.standingforstockton.com/ Elder Rasband Quote: www.thechurchnews.com/2021/9/1/23218781/elder-rasband-finding-answers-to-questions-california-institute-devotional Link to Books: listenlearnandlove.org/books Steve Young Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1639930310 Facebook Group Ministering Resources to S...
Episode 685: Lila Ellsworth (Age 19, Gay) and her Mother Gina
August 21, 2023 18:11 - 1 hour - 113 MBMy friends Lila and Gina Ellsworth join us to share their story. Lila (Film major at the University of Utah, plays on the women’s hockey team, from Gilbert AZ) shares her journey trying to understand her sexual orientation—a journey that started in middle school. Lila talks about praying on how to navigate this road, turning to podcasts to hear other stories, coming out to a friend and then her mother Gina. She also shares her original journal entries to help us understand her road to love...
Episode 684: Edward Leavitt, Gay Latter-day Saint, HIV Positive
August 19, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 119 MBMy friend Edward Leavitt (mid-30’s, lives and works in Saint George Utah, RM, Recently Out) joins us to bravely share his story. Edward talks about growing up in Southern Utah and his journey to figure out his sexual orientation after not being able to make things work with a woman following his mission. Edwards talks about dark days filled with shame, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and hating himself. Edward talks about his relationship with his Heavenly Father and Jesus and how that...
Episode 683: Sue Robbins, Transgender Woman, Leading Utah Voice for Understanding
August 16, 2023 01:59 - 1 hour - 118 MBMy friend Sue Robbins (in her 60’s, military career, moved to Utah 2004) joins us to share her story. Sue talks about knowing at a young age something was different about her—and while those feelings existed there was no understanding in society about how she felt. Sue talks about gradually coming out to herself and others and “transitioned to living life authentically as a woman in 2014.” Sue then talks about her bridge building work in Utah (on various boards and organizations) to brin...
Episode 682: Julie Rose, Host Top of Mind Podcast From BYUradio
August 13, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBMy friend Julie Rose joins us to talk about BYUradio’s show (and now podcast) called “Top of Mind”. It is a production that talks about tough topics (such as politics, social issues) in a nuanced, respectful way. The show is not out to change your mind—but to “lower the temperature” and model how to talk about important subjects to keep us unified as Latter-day Saints. Julie (a season journalism veteran with over has a 20+-year of work—including stints in California and Charlotte, NC) br...
Episode 681: Dan Link (Gay), Kristin Sokol (Ally), Miki Eberhardt (Ally)
August 10, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 118 MBMy friends, this is one of the most unique and powerful podcasts we’ve ever done. I encourage ward councils, local leaders, and families to listen to this podcast to better understand how to love and support our LGBTQ neighbors and friends—and really anyone different than us. Dan Link, Kristin Sokol, and Miki Eberhart join in this episode to share a remarkable story of a ward family who learn to love and then truly show up for two gay dads in their very homogenous Herriman neighborhood. It...
Episode 680: Tiffany Mỹloan, Decades of Trauma, Questions of Faith journey
August 07, 2023 21:18 - 1 hour - 120 MBIn one of our most moving episodes, my friend Tiffany joins us to share her story for the first time on a public platform. Tiffany talks about her extremely difficult journey to find joy in the Church and in her life throughout many life events that made her question herself, her faith, and even a belief in God. She discusses some of the traumatic events in her life, including multiple sexual assaults, racism, generational trauma, homelessness and alcoholism that broke her spirit and an...
Episode 679: Brandon Cardenaz (Gay) and Elizabeth Cardenaz (Straight); Wonderful Marriage
August 06, 2023 03:52 - 1 hour - 105 MBMy friends Brandon and Elizabeth Cardenaz (mid 30s, active LDS, married 12 years, 4 children with twins on the way) join us to share their story. Brandon talks about growing up in conservative communities with unkind and unhelpful things said about gay people and learning to separate that from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Brandon talks about how there were really no resources for a gay Latter-day Saint and doing the best he could to make his way forward concurrent with feelings a deep sham...
Episode 678: Ashley Dyer, LDS Author, LGBTQ Ally, Age 30
August 04, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBMy friend @ashley.c.dyer (active LDS RM, nurse, author, living in Boston) joins us to talk about her new book called “Women at the Well: Mini Devotionals for Women of Faith” that covers a range of important questions, like: - Am I truly enough just as I am? - Is there a way to make scripture study more fun? - How do I navigate a faith crisis? - What is grace? - Is it possible to share the gospel without feeling awkward? - How do I feel the Lord’s love in times of trial? Ashley shares some...
Episode 677: Dr. Brian Willoughby, Professor BYU, Solving Porn Use
August 01, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 110 MBMy friend Dr. Brian Willoughby (PhD in Family Social Science from University of Minnesota, LDS Convert, Noted Researcher and BYU Professor) joins us to talk about understanding and solving porn use. Dr. Willoughby (a frequent speaker on this subject) talks about what the research is teaching us about porn use and insights/principles to solve it. This is a unique podcast on this subject because Dr. Willoughby brings understanding from his own research (and other research) to better under...
Episode 676: Shannon Sears, Gay, Age 51, Recently Out
July 30, 2023 03:02 - 1 hour - 132 MBMy friend Shannon Sears (age 51, out in 2022, father of three, lifelong church member with decades of church service, divorced, no longer active LDS) joins us to share his story. Shannon hopes that sharing his story will “help younger queer people see themselves as God sees them.” Shannon talks about how he felt not only broken, but “irreparably broken” and how he “never really thought of himself as gay—just terribly flawed”. Shannon shares 35 years of feeling this way (from being a you...
Episode 675: Jessop Oliver, Gay Latter-day Saint
July 27, 2023 04:23 - 1 hour - 102 MBMy friend Jessop Oliver (age 25, starting a Master’s Program at Duke, Active LDS, RM, plans to marry a man) joins us to share his story. Jessop talks about growing up in Davis County (oldest of three) in a solid and loving family. Jessop bravely shares how porn use started out of curiosity because of his same-sex attraction. Jessop talks about being “proud of overcoming porn but lost with his sexuality” during his high school years. Jessop talks about how his “gay panic” led him to be a p...
Episode 674: Gregory Layton, Scrupulosity
July 24, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 102 MBMy long-time friend Gregory Layton (RM, Former Student Body President at Dixie State University, MBA University of Utah, early 30s, single, active LDS) joins us to share his journey with crippling anxiety and scrupulosity. Gregory shares how “for the last five years of my life, I lived in a mental torture prison called scrupulosity”. Gregory talks about how this is a mental health issue and not a spiritual weakness and needs to be solved experts in this area and the right kind of therap...
Episode 673: Landon Phillips (Transgender) and his Parents (Monica and James Phillips)
July 22, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 102 MBMy friend Landon Phillips and his parents Monica and James Phillips join us to update listeners on Landon’s journey (check out Episode 230 for their earlier podcast). Landon talks about getting, as a Christmas gift from his parents, a full genome sequencing kit. Landon, who was assigned female at birth but who transitioned over 5 years ago, got his results in June and learned that he is genetically male with XY chromosomes. The family discusses the impact of receiving these DNA results....
Episode 672: Laurel Greathouse, Left Church, Returned
July 20, 2023 02:02 - 1 hour - 82.7 MBMy friend Laurel Greathouse (RM, same-gender attraction, early 30s) joins us to share her story. Laurel talks about her decision to serve a mission (San Diego, California) and coming home twice for health reasons. She shares what was helpful and not helpful as an early release missionary. Laurel then talks about leaving the Church and dating women for about 4 years. She then talks about spiritual impressions and people showing pure love that led her to reconnect with God, her true hope...
Episode 671: Richelle, Transgender LDS shares her story as a faithful LDS and a transgender woman.
July 18, 2023 04:34 - 1 hour - 90.4 MBRichelle begins by sharing some of the observations of her childhood and how these no doubt trying experiences helped to shape her life and strengthen her personal testimony as well as develop a strong relationship with the Savior—her experience and her journey have helped her to just “trust in the Lord” seek to find joy in your life and accept that all will be made right in the end. Richelle shares how she came to know that her long held feelings needed not be a source of shame and that em...
Episode 670: Dr. Chelom Leavitt, Associate Professor at BYU, Sexual Mindfulness
July 16, 2023 04:43 - 1 hour - 95.2 MBMy friend Dr. Chelom Leavitt (JD from BYU Law School; Masters in Marriage, Family and Human Development BYU; PhD in Human Development and Family Studies Penn State) joins us to talk about research in sexual function, sexual mindfulness and the connection between sex and relationship well-being. Dr Leavitt—who teaches on this subject in the BYU School of Family Life and is a married mother of nine—talks about the research and this subject and how to teach it to improve sexual mindfullness...
Episode 669: Andrew D. White, Gay Latter-day Saint, Convert, Left Church, Rebaptized
July 14, 2023 05:57 - 2 hours - 174 MBMy friend Andrew White (age 29, finishing up dental school, living in the Kansas City area) starts with knowing he was attracted to the same gender around age 5 and recognizing he was gay around 15. Andrew talks about the events that led him to join the Church at age 15 (including a powerful dream) and then doing everything to ‘become straight’ including being active in the Church (becoming an Elder, going to BYU, temple endowment, and serving a mission)—all with the hope of “rewarded with b...
Episode 668: Nigel Bull, Gay, Age 62, Lives in London
July 12, 2023 19:01 - 59 minutes - 82.4 MBMy friend Nigel Bull (who joined the Church at age 16, left, rebaptized at age 40, currently not active) joins us to share some of his story (complicated at times) as a gay Latter-day Saint. Nigel takes us back to like what it was to be gay in the '80's in the Church. Some of his story is painful to hear--but it helps us understand the realities of the road Nigel was walking. Nigel also shares his health challenges which led to being in a wheel chair starting in his late '20s and also being...
Episode 667: Bekki Hood and Emily Cushing New Book: “She Did: Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Faith”
July 10, 2023 15:52 - 1 hour - 91.2 MBMy friends Bekki Hood and Emily Cushing joins us to talk about their new book (published by Deseret Book in May 2023) about 23 remarkable Latter-day Saint women called “She Did: Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Faith.” Bekki and Emily share some of their own stories (education, careers) and the reasons for writing this book—which highlights the stories of 23 women. Most of these women are largely unknown to a broad Latter-say Saint audience—but typify the faithfulness of millions of Latter-d...
Episode 665: Dr. Dan McClellan, Biblical Scholar, Data over Dogma
July 08, 2023 14:37 - 1 hour - 115 MBMy friend Dan McClellan (married father of three, active LDS, @maklelan) joins us to share his story how his long academic road (two masters and a PhD) has opened unexpected doors for him to bring his biblical expertise and pastoral heart to bless others. Dan talks about how scripture should not be weaponized and how good scholarship helps us reduce vitriol and bring us together. Dan shares how he started a TikTok account in 2021 and how his work has grown to a major social presence on all ...
Episode 664: Dr. Julia Bernards, BYU Dissertation on Transgender Latter-day Saints Families
July 06, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 102 MBMy friend Dr. Julia Bernards (LDS married mother of 4, PhD from BYU, LMFT) joins us to talk about her 2022 BYU Dissertation called “This Whole Journey was Sacred: Latter-day Saint Parents’ Process in Coming to Accept a Transgender Child.” In her groundbreaking dissertation Julia shares the key findings of the research as well as a brief history of gender diversity, key terms to understand, perspectives on identity, grief and resiliency, and her research methodology (analyzing data from ove...
Episode 663: Marci McPhee, Active Divorced LDS, editor to Steve Young, Ostlers, Fatimah Salleh
July 04, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 85.1 MBMy friend Marci McPhee (active LDS, now single, mother of six, grandmother of sixteen, writer & editor) joins us to talk about life lessons learned since joining the Church at age 16, being single after two temple marriages (with a cancellation of sealing between), raising a stepfamily in a duplex, her career in higher education, and now editor to folks like Steve Young, Fatimah Salleh, David Ostler, & two of my three books. Marci is dear personal friend, remarkable person, and gifted edito...
Episode 662: Ashly Stone, Solved Drug Addictions, Host of “Come Back Podcast”
July 02, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 89.8 MBMy friend Ashly Stone (married mother of two) joins us to share her remarkable journey of battling additions (which included heroin and jail time) and her journey to recovery. It is a remarkable story of courage, faith and “surrendering”. A key part of Ashly’s recover was her path to reconnect with the Church and access the healing power and hope of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Ashly shares powerful concepts like “I decided to create the person I wanted to be”, and “let your past em...
Episode 661: Dr Jacob Rugh, Dr Michael Wood, Grace Soelberg; New BYU Research On Black LDS.
June 30, 2023 03:49 - 1 hour - 120 MBMy friends Jacob Rugh, Michael Wood and Grace Soelberg (all from the Department of Sociology at BYU) join us to talk about their new peer-reviewed and scholarly published research to better understanding the experience of Black Latter-day Saints. The research article is called “Making Space Behind the Veil: Black Agency within a Predominantly White Religion” in the Journal of Scientific Study of Religion (see show notes to access the article). In the podcast Jacob, Michael and Grace gi...
Episode 660: Melissa Dalton-Bradford, Noted LDS Author, 18-Year-Old Son Parker Died in 2007
June 27, 2023 13:18 - 1 hour - 140 MBMy friend Melissa Dalton-Bradford (married mother of four raised over 30 years across nine countries; author of books, articles and poetry; public speaker; MA in Comparative Literature from BYU; co-founder of two non-profits—TSOSrefugees and Mormon Women for Ethical Government), joins us during her trip from her home in Germany to Utah to talk about loss, grief, and living onward. That’s actually the title of one of her books: On Loss and Living Onward: Collected Voices for the Grieving an...
Episode 659: Don and Jenny Hong and Their Gay Son Isaac
June 24, 2023 15:47 - 1 hour - 110 MBMy friends Don and Jenny Hong (married parents of 4) and their gay son Isaac (age 30, RM, has boyfriend) join us to share their family story. Isaac starts with his story of coming out to his parents about 8 years ago following his successful mission and doing everything he knew to be straight. Jenny and Don then share their journey to love and support their gay son and his long-term boyfriend Brock. It’s been a journey for the Hong family with some ups and downs—but a beautiful family ...
Episode 658: Patrick Risk, LDS Author, “One Day at a Time”
June 22, 2023 02:35 - 1 hour - 111 MBMy friend Patrick Risk (who was most recently on Episode 297) joins us to talk about his new book “One Day at a Time: Daily Hope for Those Navigating Their Own Path of Healing.” Patrick bravely shares his own life story (including being a survival of sexual abuse, having an eating disorder, and being gay) to bring practical advice and insights for those looking to find peace, healing, and hope. Patrick talks about going from “what if to what now” and going from “victim to victor.” If ...