All Out in the Open

Ben and Charlie are joined by psychologist Dr. Jeff Case to debunk myths about the origin of same-sex orientation. They have a conversation about early sexual abuse, social conditioning, and other factors that have historically been used to explain why people are gay. (This episode contains some mature content).

Ben and Charlie are joined by Sarah Langford to talk about deciding whether or not to serve a Church mission, and how being LGBTQ+ affected that decision.

Charlie's sister Anne Bird Rodman joins us for a conversation about what Anne did when she first suspected Charlie was gay. We talk about vulnerability and have a discussion on how to create a more safe, loving environment for others.

Ben and Charlie are joined by Michael Griffin, an openly gay BYU professor, to talk about their experiences at Brigham Young University. We talk dating culture, honor code, and past and present environment for LGBTQ+ students.

Collette Dalton, therapist and gay Latter-day Saint, joins us as we brainstorm ways to support the LGBTQ+ community even if you still don't feel comfortable being out publicly.

Charlie and Ben are joined by John Gustav-Wrathall, who describes himself as "the most active non-member in the Church." They have a conversation about The Family: A Proclamation to the World that evolves into a discussion about personal revelation and agency. 

Ben and Charlie are joined by their friend Deb Hutchins to talk about stories from dating the opposite sex and why they each decided to stop. 

Ben and Charlie are joined by Twitter legend Eli McCann to discuss how they came out to their loved ones.

Charlie and Ben discuss how they feel about being described as "celibate" and making the choice to stay single. They also discuss how to thrive as single people and how personal revelation has guided their life choices. 

Margaret Steward was surprised one Sunday morning when her husband of 30 years came out to her as gay. In this episode, Margaret and her husband Travis talk about what that experience was like and how they feel about their future. Charlie and Ben also share experiences of when they tried to date girls. 

LDS author Tom Christofferson joins us to discuss changes in Church policy. We cover the November 2015 policy that affected LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, as well as its reversal in 2019. We have a conversation about dealing with challenging teachings or topics in a church setting, and how we maintain faith when policies change. 

Suicidal ideation is very common and can surface in unexpected ways. This week we are joined by Taryn Hiatt, the Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We talk about myths surrounding suicide, warning signs, and practical steps anyone can take when life feels overwhelming. Please do not miss this important episode. For further education, extra resources, and advice on ho...

The month of June commemorates LGBTQ Pride. For many LGBTQ individuals, Pride events are a way to spread visibility, create a sense of belonging, and celebrate how far they have come. For some, however, Pride might seem dangerous or scary. This week we are joined by Erika Munson to talk about the decision of whether or not to go to Pride, as well how to make Pride a safe and memorable experience.

Attending church can sometimes be difficult for LGBTQ individuals. This week, Kelly Peterson, convert, return missionary, and college basketball player, joins us to talk about what she does when she feels uncomfortable or out of place at church. 

Ann Pack joined us this week to discuss the “T” in LGBTQ and how being transgender differs from being gay. She shares part of her journey of understanding her gender identity and why she chose to transition.

What happens when you're LGBTQ/SSA but your patriarchal blessing mentions temple marriage? Dr. Richard Bushman, author, professor, scripture historian, and stake patriarch, joins us this week for an important discussion on how to reconcile sexual orientation with promises mentioned in a patriarchal blessing. Don't miss this episode!

Bishop Carl Hull joins us to talk about what happened when he felt prompted to have an LGBTQ inclusion lesson with his ward. He shares stories about changing perceptions and how he has helped create a safe, open environment in his congregation. Carl's full story can be found on Ben's blog! (benschilaty.blogspot.com - "The Eyes of My Understanding Were Opened": A Bishop's J...

Becky Mackintosh, author of "Love Boldly," joins Ben and Charlie to talk about how she has supported her gay son through his coming out process, and beyond. They discuss tips for keeping open parent/child communication and what parents can do to support their LGBTQ children. Becky's story can be found at www.beckymackintosh.com

Ben and Charlie are joined by Jeff Case, a clinical therapist, to discuss when and why one might consider going to therapy. They share experiences about what it's like to be both a therapist and a client, and give practical advice to anyone seeking to improve mental health.

Ben and Charlie are joined by Rachel Alder, a Social Worker and Miss Utah 2019 contestant, to talk about belonging. They have a conversation about feeling different, and how they came to find authenticity, support, and a place where they belong.

Ben and Charlie are joined by Stacey Harkey from the popular comedy show "Studio C" to talk about how each of them have overcome shame surrounding their orientations. They have a conversation about internal positivity that includes funny stories about Cosmo, Studio C, and dating Stacey's best friend's old roommate. 

Recorded remotely from our actual closets! Ben and Charlie are joined by Vinnie Jones, a bisexual dancer and choreographer. Vinnie shares how she views her orientation and how being bisexual differs from being straight or gay. 

Ben and Charlie are joined by Travis Steward, an active gay Church member and former mission president. They discuss what it's like being in the closet and why they felt the need to begin "coming out" to people around them.

Charlie and Ben are joined by Daniel Spencer, a popular comedian and student at BYU. They have a conversation about how each of them came to the realization they are attracted to men.

Ben and Charlie introduce themselves and the podcast series.