Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

** Trigger Warning: This podcast talks about suicide. If you are suicidal, please call/text/chat 988 ** My friends Dave and Kimi Martin join us to talk about their transgender son Levi who died of suicide in December of 2022 at the age of 17. Dave and Kimi (active LDS, Parents of 7, Live in Massachusetts) share their story of the journey to understand and then support their son. They do this to ho...

My friend McKenna Goodrich joins us via Zoom from her home in Georgia to bravely share her story in hopes of helping others. McKenna talks about coming out to herself knowing she was different and then coming out to others. McKenna talks her personal relationship with Jesus and love from her Heavenly Father that is helping her on her journey. McKenna (whose Mom Alicia Hall was on Episode 596) talk...

My friend Emily Robinson Adams (married mother of three, appellate attorney) join us to talk about her new book called “Divine Quietness: Fining Meaning When Heaven is Silent”. In the book, Emily bravely shares her journey with prayers met with silence. She talks about why a loving God would not answer her prayers. Emily shares her experience—which occurred over a couple of years—to deconstruct an...

My friends Allison Dayton (founder of Lift and Love) and Ben Schilaty (co-host of Questions From The Closet and Author) join us to talk about a new LDS/LGBTQ event called “Gather: Christ-centered support for Latter-day Saint LGBTQ individuals and those who love them”. The conference is on Sept 15th and 16th, 2023 at Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo, Utah. Allison and Ben talk about why they (a...

My friend Mary Alice Hatch (married mother of 2) joins us from her home in San Clemente, California to share her story. Mary Alice talks about her son coming home from his mission early after receiving personal revelation it was the right thing to do. She talks about her support of her son and honoring his personal revelation and the need for our culture to do the same. This experience of seeing f...

My friends Hunter Steele (Age 24, BYU Journalism Major, Kennewick Washington RM) and his mother Amie Steele (married mother of three) join us to share their story. Hunter starts with his story growing up in Nephi, Utah (student body president of his high school) trying to reconcile his sexual orientation in a very heteronormative environment. Hunter talks about his mission (good experience) and th...

My friend Mitchell Harris (any/all) joins us to share their story as a pansexual non-binary Latter-day Saint. Mitchell is a committed Latter-day Saint, served a mission in Mexico City, and is a Math Education major at BYU. Mitchell talks about their early experience and realizing they are queer and their decision to come out in 2019. Mitchell talks about Transmedicalism (something new to me) and h...

My friend Katherine Herrmann (divorced, father of 7) joins us to talk about her newly published book called “TransLucent: How I put off my natural man and found a spiritual woman” which is focused on her life experiences as an active Latter-day Saint. In the podcast, Katherine shares how she was compelled to write the book and why it’s important. The book explores a twofold journey of understandin...

My friend Madi Davis (Age 19, BYU Student, Pre-Business) courageously shares her journey with pornography use that started at age 13. Madi (who is the first woman on our podcast talking about her own porn use) shares about how this came into her life and the immense shame she encountered, which was further magnified as this is framed as a male problem. She shares feeling as though she is the only...

My friend Paul Reeve (active Latter-day Saint, Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies at University of Utah, author, married father of six) joins us to talk about his new book (published by Deseret Book) called “Let’s Talk about Race and Priesthood.” This book (forward written by Darius A. Gray) shares the historical facts and personal stories around this important topic. Paul has divided the book into t...

Dr. Melissa Inouye, someone I deeply admire and respect, joins us to talk about a new book she and Kate Holbook (who died in August 2022) edited called “Every Needful Thing: Essays on the Life of the Mind and the Heart.” The book is a collection of twenty-two essays from accomplished academic and professional Latter-day Saint women. Melissa talks about why she and Kate decided to create this book,...

My friend Taylor Smith (married father of 5, active LDS, born in Canada, lives in Maryland) joins us to share an extended version of a talk he gave in Church back in September 2022 about his journey to better see, mourn and support those in our Church who may have a harder road to walk (women, black members, LGBTQ members, those with honest questions, etc). Taylor talks about how in recent years h...

I asked my friends at HXP (formerly HEFY) to come on the podcast and introduce this non-profit providing Latter-day Saint youth trips around the world. We joined by: Amy Antonelli: CEO Kelsi Christensen: Chief Innovations Officer Hannes Du Randt: Program Designer/Trip Leader The HXP teams introduces HXP, its worldwide trips (288 scheduled for the Summer of 2023; almost all full), the needs for par...

My friend (and former YSA) joins us to bravely talk about the pain and trauma experienced as a nanny in Germany. Emily later returned to Germany and served in the same area—and had a chance encounter with those responsible for her pain/trauma and talks about feelings of God’s love for them. However, feeling God’s love for them and forgiveness, didn’t fully resolve the trauma as Emily was still rej...

My friend Geri Broadbent joins us to share the story of her husband Dan who died at age 43 after an 6-year battle cancer. Geri talks about the years (some during COVID) of his cancer treatments and his passing in December of 2021. She talks about the things she did to find hope and support during his battle and after his passing. She talks about the courage of her husband Dad and how she found to...

My friend Bonnie Young (active Latter-day Saint, LMFT, married mother of two) joins us to talk about her groundbreaking new book, "Sex Educated: Letters from a Latter-day Saint Therapist to Her Younger Self." While Bonnie wrote this book mainly for Latter-day Saint women who desire to maturely and compassionately reflect on their own sexual journeys, it can also be used as a tool and resource for...

My friend Emma Edwins (Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy; Licensed Clinical Counselor, who was on Episode 598) joins us to update her story. Emma, a convert and active Latter-day Saint, shares answers to questions she is receiving. Emma talks about a thoughtful and balanced approach to supporting others who experience gender dysphoria and are considering transitioning. Emma also talks...

My friend Jacob Guy, (RM, FSY Counselor, Weber State Student) joins us to share his story. Jacob talks about his spiritual journey and temple attendance to come out to himself and others about 18 months ago. That included breaking off a serious relationship with a woman. Jacob shares a powerful visual analogy of being locked out of the house of happy married straight people and not having a key to...

** Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault** My friend Sherry Cassel bravely shares her story of being a survivor of sexual assault (from infancy until after her mission) and ongoing verbal and physical assault well into adulthood. Further, Sherry talks about how she became sexually active after her mission (partly because it was the only way she had been programed to feel loved) and having three children...

My friend Bonnie Lyman (active LDS, life coach, lives in Spokane, two of five children not participating in the Church) joins us to share her story. Bonnie (who is her 70’s and has been on this road for more than two decades) shares her story of finding peace and hope—and love for all her family. Bonnie has powerful gospel insights to find joy, peace, love for all her kids and how her dreams for h...

My friend Kali Olsen (RM, BYU-I student, married to a man) shares her story as a bisexual Latter-day Saint. Kali talks about her journey to understand and then accept her sexual orientation. Kali also shares coming out to her fiancé McKay and his support (they were married in April 2022). Kali goes on to discuss why she decided to come out more broadly on social media to help support other LGBTQ p...

My friend Chris Kimball (married father of three, grandfather of eleven, and as he says, a 'retired' bishop, a 'retired' professor, and a 'retired' lawyer) joins us to share his unique Latter-day Saint journey. Chris shares some of his personal story which includes deciding more than 25 years ago to no longer sit for worthiness interviews and as a result to not hold a temple recommend, and neverth...

My friend Zach and Darcy Spafford (who were on Episode 376) join us to talk about solving pornography use as a couple. Zach talks about opening up to his wife about his pornography use and how they worked together to address and solve it. It is a powerful story that helps others walking this road find hope and healing. Both Zach and Darcy share insights, principles, and strategies to address, and...

My friend Will Edgel (who was on Episode 78 recorded nearly four years ago) joins us to update listeners on his life journey and his professional work as a gay man’s wellness coach. Will talks about having a boyfriend and also being an active Latter-day Saint and how he is navigating this road. Will then talks about his professional work as a wellness coach to release shame and help individuals mo...

My friend Susan Siddoway (active LDS, married, mother of 6 and grandmother to 13) shared story of her daughter Holly who left the church, identified as bisexual, struggled with addiction, was single and pregnant and died at age 33 in 2019. Susan shares gospel principles, doctrinal insights and church leader statements that strengthened her love and support for her daughter. She talks of the light...