Living Beyond the Shadow of Doubt™

A few months ago, as I was listening to the ALSSI podcast, Episode 113, I determined a spiritual wound that I have experienced personally and I believe we have collectively as conservative faith communities. Susan Hinkley and Cynthia Winward interview guest Kathryn Knight Sonntag author of The Mother Tree: Discovering the Love and Wisdom of Our Divine Mother.  In the preface of the book, Kathryn s...

In this episode, Monica Phillips shares how being an LGBTQ+ parent has been a significant influence in her faith journey. Monica tells the story of her child coming out as transgender while preparing for a mission for the LDS Church and the subsequent struggles she and her husband faced. Monica also discusses another child, a daughter, coming out as gay and how their family as a whole has navigate...

In this episode, Monica Phillips shares how being an LGBTQ+ parent has been a significant influence in her faith journey. Monica tells the story of her child coming out as transgender while preparing for a mission for the LDS Church and the subsequent struggles she and her husband faced. Monica also discusses another child, a daughter, coming out as gay and how their family as a whole has navigate...

"I think for a lot of us who... like kind of peeking behind the curtain to see and say . . . I have some questions, I want to know more about that. Then you start almost like pulling a thread of all these thoughts and ideas that you didn't even know you believed. And now you're willing to look at it and say, do I still believe this? This? --is that something that I want to continue to...

Today I want to speak to this concept of each of us having “spiritual wounds.”  It has lingered with me ever since listening to episode 113 on ALSSI podcast in Dec, when Susan Hinkley and Cynthia Winward chat with Kathryn Knight Sonntag author of “The Mother Tree: Discovering the Love and Wisdom of Our Divine Mother.”  In the preface of “The Mother Tree: Discovering the Love and Wisdom of Our Divi...

CW/TW: In this episode, there are discussions of child sexual abuse, an LDS disciplinary council and subsequent trauma as related to both.  There is also reference to suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised. Today author Emily Taylor joins me on the podcast. Raised LDS, Emily lives in the Dallas area with her husband and 2 sons. In our interview we talk about Emily's faith journey an...

CW/TW: In this episode, there are discussions of child sexual abuse, an LDS disciplinary council and subsequent trauma as related to both.  There is also reference to suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised. Today author Emily Taylor joins me on the podcast. Raised LDS, Emily lives in the Dallas area with her husband and 2 sons. In our interview we talk about Emily's faith journey an...

CW/TW: Episode includes discussion of substance use and death by accidental fentanyl overdose. Heather Ross is a mother who was willing to do whatever it took to have a healthy relationship with her daughter who struggled with Substance Use Disorder.  She is a Family Recovery Coach who is CRAFT trained, Invitation to Change Certified, and hosts the popular podcast Living With Your Child’s Addictio...

Self-actualization isn't linear. Creating this list takes courage, unbridled permission to be you, radical self-love, uncaged thought and sincere effort.  It may require even more bravery to move forward, letting go of preconceived notions of who you “should” be, ignoring external input while keeping your feet firmly planted in this identity. - Meagan Skidmore Episode 47, BTSOD podcast _______...

CW: Although not discussed in detail, in this piece, there are mentions of child abuse, sexual abuse and trauma as related to recent LDS church litigation.  Listener discretion is advised. ⁠Charlotte Condie⁠ is an artist/illustrator/designer based in the Atlanta metro area. She spends a good chunk of time raising her four children, attending school for dental hygiene, and designing/creating. Raise...

Charlotte Condie is an artist/illustrator/designer based in the Atlanta metro area. She spends a good chunk of time raising her four children, attending school for dental hygiene, and designing/creating. Raised LDS, much of her work focuses on the spiritual, religious, and personal. She has spent a lot of past work exploring the internal world of the mind and the heart, where the seats of spiritua...

"If we (society) could be a little more willing to allow other people to learn in the ways that are most effective for them--even as they're reaching conclusions we whole-heartedly disagree with--if we can suspend the need to force them or change them into what we want to see, I think we have an opportunity to be a vibrant diverse society." T. Christofferson. I welcome Brother Tom Ch...

"If we (society) could be a little more willing to allow other people to learn in the ways that are most effective for them--even as they're reaching conclusions we whole-heartedly disagree with--if we can suspend the need to force them or change them into what we want to see, I think we have an opportunity to be a vibrant diverse society." T. Christofferson. I welcome Brother Tom Ch...

Join me as I dissect the "anatomy of connection," the role of people pleasing, and the 5 phases of being in PART 3 of my three episode series exploring vulnerability. I draw from the wisdom of three wise coaches/therapists Brene' Brown , Brooke Castillo and Jody Moore . ____________________________________________ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Beyond the Shadow of Doubt™⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcast is a proud m...

"If they (LGBTQIA2S+ individuals) don’t have a place in my faith, I don’t think my faith is where it needs to be yet." -Elizabeth Bingham Thomas, PhD Candidate Southern Methodist University Department of Anthropology, Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences I seriously CANNOT wait for you to meet Liz! BIO: Liz hails from Northern Utah where she received her Bachelors in Cultural Anth...

"If they (LGBTQIA2S+ individuals) don’t have a place in my faith, I don’t think my faith is where it needs to be yet." -Elizabeth Bingham Thomas, PhD Candidate Southern Methodist University Department of Anthropology, Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences I seriously CANNOT wait for you to meet Liz! BIO: Liz hails from Northern Utah where she received her Bachelors in Cultural Anth...

"We need to normalize the word doubt and questions and faith journeys and destigmatize it...so we can talk about it in our families and congregations." Richard "Papa" Ostler. Richard Ostler known as "Papa" Ostler works to build bridges with LGBTQ members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is a former bishop of a young single adult ward and the host...

"We need to normalize the word doubt and questions and faith journeys and destigmatize it...so we can talk about it in our families and congregations." Richard "Papa" Ostler. Richard Ostler known as "Papa" Ostler works to build bridges with LGBTQ members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is a former bishop of a young single adult ward and the host...

In Episode #30, I started a three part series on vulnerability.  I believe there’s too much at stake when we hide our true selves.  It takes concerted conscious effort. I approached it more in the context of vulnerability with others and that a large part of being authentic is allowing yourself to be and feel vulnerable.  And in order to FEEL vulnerable, we have to be able to see feelings as not f...

In continuation of Pride month and bringing increased awareness to the LGBTQ+ space, I invited Councilmember Julie Spilsbury to share her transformation from a conservative religious mother of 6 to a fierce ally of the LGBTQ+ community.  In addition to sharing her background and beliefs about politics and representation, Councilmember Spilsbury also talks about the importance of conflict transform...

In continuation of Pride month and bringing increased awareness to the LGBTQ+ space, I invited Councilmember Julie Spilsbury to share her transformation from a conservative religious mother of 6 to a fierce ally of the LGBTQ+ community.  In addition to sharing her background and beliefs about politics and representation, Councilmember Spilsbury also talks about the importance of conflict transform...

It's June and Pride month! I'm dropping a series of amazing interviews with some AWESOME guests this month! If you haven't subscribed to my podcast, now is the time so you don't miss a single one! First off is Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas who currently serves as lead pastor at the Cathedral of Hope , an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Neil talks abo...

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Oxford languages defines mental health as a person’s condition w/ regard to their psychological and emotional well being. Although not “clinically diagnosable” loneliness often accompanies and even exacerbates many mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and dementia as well as physical health challenges like heart disease, high blood pr...

Heather Rackham is the Director of The Latter-day Saint Life Coach Directory and host of Latter-day Life Coaches Podcast .  In this episode Heather shares a major a-ha moment she had when working with a life coach.  “While learning…the coaching tools…[I realized this] was the way to experience Christ-like love for people on this earth.  This felt like the ‘how-to’ or the roadmap to actually get pa...

Annie Joy shares her experiences growing up in the LDS church and what that taught her about judgement, grace and making room for everyone at The Table. She learned to be aware of judgmental thoughts, give grace to others and invite people to consider different perspectives and experiences in discussions among members of the LDS faith or any faith community. In the home, she suggests parents exami...