Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

My friend Samuel Benson (2023 BYU grad, Boston RM, staff writer for the Deseret News), join us to talk more about his powerful BYU commencement speech call “Our Place in Zion”. Samuel (Sociology and Spanish major, pursuing a career in journalism, and author of an upcoming book about Latter-day Saint immigration) talks about creating Zion. A Zion where all belong. A Zion which is “one of diversity...

My friend Jeff Andersen (married father of three, active LDS) joins us to share his story to become an LGBTQ+ Ally and start his Instagram account @latter.day.stonecatchers . Jeff starts with his own journey in the Church through “reconstruction and expansion”—which has occurred twice through Jeff's journey, including once within the last few years—and why he remains a committed Latter-day Saint....

My friend Kaleb Cox joins us to share his journey to better understand and support our LGBTQ friends. Kaleb talks about how his Dad’s speech in June 2016 following the killing of 49 patrons at the Pulse club in Orlando (a gay nightclub) moved him to reconsider his assumptions about queer people (https://www.ksl.com/article/40209267/lt-gov-cox-speaks-at-vigil-for-orlando-my-heart-has-changed). Kale...

My friend Cole Conner joins us to share his remarkable story. Cole talks about being bullied and realizing his same-sex-attraction. Cole talks about coming out to his parents/bishop and finding support—but also feeling some anger towards the Church. That led to Cole leaving the Church, returning to the Church, again leaving the Church and returning again. Cole talks about his life outside the Chur...

My friend Dr. Julie Fraumeni-McBride (married LDS mother of six children) joins us from her home in Temecula, CA to talk about helping women solve porn use. Julie (who got her PhD in Education and Disabilities Studies and now is a Researcher and Education Program designer at the Steadfast Institute) helps us understand the latest research to end porn use. Julie talks about why the addiction/recove...

My friend Josh Sabey (married father of two, noted documentary filmmaker) joins us to talk about his new book called “Ali, The Iraqi”. It is a story (both factual and fictional) of a 16 year old Iraqi exchange student named Ali moving to the United States and staying with Josh and his family. When Ali runs away from the program, it takes some Mormons, a Non-denominational Christian, and an Atheist...

My friend Michele Portlock (married mother of 4) joins us to share her story. Michele talks about parenting neurodivergent children (e.g. ADHD, Autism) which led her to go back to college to get a Masters Degree in special education and start an LLC called Navigating the Spectrum—which also includes a podcast. Michele brings her experience as a parent, academic training, and professional work to b...

My friend Debra Coe (active LDS mother of 5) and longtime LGBTQ Ally joins us to share the latest research on Gen Z (the loneliest generation), their mental health and what we can do to help them feel needed and a clear feeling of belonging. This is the focus of her latest Op-Ed in the Deseret News in March 2023 (see show notes for link). Debra talks what we can do to be a “trusted adult” and what...

My friends Richard Turley and Barbara Jones Brown, noted Latter-day Saint historians, join us to talk about their powerful new book about the Mountain Meadows Massacre of an Arkansas wagon train in 1857. Through their extensive research, they answer questions about why it happened, who was responsible, Bigham Young’s understanding/involvement, descendants of victims stories/interactions, and recon...

My friends Aaron and Julie Bujnowski (married parents of two; living North of Dallas, Texas), join us to talk about their love of the Temple and its ability to connect us with Jesus and personal revelation, which led to writing a book called “Discovering Your Temple Insights.” The book is different than most Latter-day Saint books about the Temple. As one reader called it, “Come follow me for the...

My friend Ben Ferney (Australia Sydney RM, Former Weber State LDS Institute President, and Weber State Student Body President) joins us to share his story. Ben talks about the hope and happiness that is ahead for LGBTQ people. He talks about trying to date women and dodging questions about his apparent lack of interest in dating. After a brake up, Ben concluded she was the last girl he would date....

My friend Jim Kasen (active LDS, mid 60’s, Same Sex Attraction) shares his story of his deep religious conversion/conviction; his anxiety; and his same sex attraction. Jim talks about how his Savior has been his constant rock in navigating the realities of his life including navigating difficult church experiences around his sexual orientation and why he stays a member of the Church. Jim has writt...

My friend Skyler Sorensen joins us to talk about his new book called “Exclude Not Thyself: Thriving as a Covenant-Keeping, Gay Latter-day Saint”. In the podcast Skyler talks about why he wrote the book, principals to love LGBTQ Latter-day Saints in a faith-centered way, and some of his story including finding his wife Amanda and starting a family (a beautiful love story). Skyler also talks about h...

Noted Latter-day Saint authors McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding (who have co-authored 7 LDS books) join us to talk about their latest book called “In the Image of our Heavenly Parents: A Couples Guide to Creating a More Divine Marriage.” Celebrating restoration theology of Heavenly Parents, this guidebook offers twelve principles for creating more divine marriages–filled with prophetic...

My friend Loren G. Dalton (former LDS Mission President) joins us to talk about his new book called “You ARE Receiving Revelation - Now Act on It”. In the podcast, Loren shares both the theology of this doctrine and practical application (including powerful stories) to make this real in our lives. Brother Dalton spoke on this subject at an Ensign College devotional (see link below). I encourage ev...

My friends Ashli Carnicelli, Trina Caudle, and McArthur Krishna join us to talk about their new book “Cherish: the Joy of Our Mother in Heaven.” The book is organized around the Gospel Topics essay on Heavenly Mother. The book authors talk about why they wrote the book, their thoughtful and moving feelings about Heavenly Mother, and the spiritual benefits in our lives of having a Heavenly Mother....

My friend Richie Steadman (active LDS, podcaster, DJ, great human) joins us to share some of his story. Richie talks about how life, following his successful mission in Cleveland, took some unexpected turns which included Richie being out of the Church for several years. Richie is open about that and how he navigated not only the mistakes he made but painful church experiences around those mistake...

My friend Emily Evans (UVU grad, San Antonio/Austin, RM, plans to marry her girlfriend) joins us to share her story. Emily talks about her years prior to her mission trying to figure out her sexuality. Part of that journey was being in a relationship with her boyfriend and also falling in love with a female friend. Emily talks about the difference in these experiences helping to clarify her sexual...

My friend Thomas Auseuga joins us from Brisbane, Australia (my first LGBTQ guest from Australia) to share his story. Thomas (who is in his 20's and served a mission in the Philippines) talks about realizing he was different around age 12 and then processing that alone until he came out as gay to his mother at age 16. Thomas talks about believing he was the only Latter-day Saint with these feelings...

My friends Dr. Jordon and Liz Sharp (LDS parents of five children) join us from St George, Utah to share their story of hope and healing. Jordon (VP of Marketing at Utah Tech University) and Liz (Registered Hospice Nurse) share their unexpected journey as a traditional LDS family who experienced everything from trauma, confusion, and loss to miracles, enlightenment, and overwhelming joy as they be...

My friend Thomas Swain joins us from New Zealand to share his story. Thomas (who grew up in England) starts with knowing at an early age he had feelings for someone of the same gender but put that away and moved forward. Thomas talks about his wonderful mission experience (West Indies 2006-2008), teaching at the New Zealand MTC for 5 years and working for church media productions. These were deepl...

My friend Aubrey Dabel joins us to share bravely share her story hopes others do not feel alone. Aubrey starts her story in High School (Southern Oregon) realizing she is attracted to girls and unexpectedly falling in love. That led Aubrey to a lot of shame and self-loathing. Aubrey talks turning to her Heavenly Father and Temple attendance to find peace and hope. She also talks about her supporti...

My friend Sarah Carter (active LDS, mother of three, Masters of Social Work) shares her journey growing up with abuse and trauma—and her story of not fitting the mold of a typical LDS youth. Sarah talks about how that abuse and trauma was tied to her three marriages that ended. After those marriages, Sarah looked inward with new clarity about the work she needed to do to heal and overcome over 20...

My friend Julie Cluff joins us from her home in Tennessee to share the story of being the driver of the vehicle, when she fell asleep, resulting in a rollover car accident that claimed the lives of her 10-year-old daughter Carrie and her 8-year-old son David. The accident happened on Mother’s Day in 2007. It is a parent’s worst nightmare. Julie bravely shares her story of grief/darkness and then h...

My friend Stephen Monsen (Richfield Utah native, Wichita Kansas RM) joins us to bravely share his story. Stephen divides his story into four parts: The early years: Figuring out at age 17 he is gay and the immense shame he felt about his attractions. College freshman year: Intense loneliness, depression, some self-harm and coming out to this Bishop (good experience). Stephen talks about how his se...