Mormon Stories Podcast

Is there space in the Mormon church for non-literal believers? Mormon Stories is joined today by Jon Westover, professor and former church apologist with FAIR Mormon to help us discover if the non-orthodox  “middle way” is still a tenable path. We hope you enjoy hearing Jon’s story!  ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate mont...

Sarah Edmondson and Nippy Ames are our guests for this epic Mormon Stories interview where we discuss their escape from the NXIVM cult. We discuss the similarities between NXIVM leader Keith Raniere and Joseph Smith, including secret societies existing within the larger group, and the similar tactics used to control so many people. Sarah and Nippy share which vulnerabilities led them to become inv...

Mormon Stories is honored to sit down with Cody Alan, host and producer of CMT Radio in Nashville, TN. In this fun and heartfelt interview, we discuss Cody's conversion to the LDS church as well as his suppression and acceptance of his gay identity. Cody shares so much wisdom with us and we hear some fun stories about his life in country radio and the musical artists who have supported him through...

Recently in a speech given at the University of Virginia, Mormon apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks denied that Electroshock Therapy as a form of gay conversion therapy was used/studied during his tenure as president of Brigham Young University in the 1970s. Join us on 11/18/2021 at 3pm (mountain) where we will discuss the history of Electroshock Therapy at BYU - and determine whether or not Dallin H. O...

Recently in a speech given at the University of Virginia, Mormon apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks denied that Electroshock Therapy as a form of gay conversion therapy was used/studied during his tenure as president of Brigham Young University in the 1970s. Join us on 11/18/2021 at 3pm (mountain) where we will discuss the history of Electroshock Therapy at BYU - and determine whether or not Dallin H. O...

What happens when two closeted lesbian Mormon women marry men, have children, then cross paths and fall in love? In this very special Mormon Stories 2 part episode, we are honored to share one of the most important interviews in the history of the podcast. This is the story of Lena Schwen and Sal Osborne. In part 1, Sal describes dating in high school, feeling as though part of her died as she mar...

What happens when two closeted lesbian Mormon women marry men, have children, then cross paths and fall in love? In this very special Mormon Stories 2 part episode, we are honored to share one of the most important interviews in the history of the podcast. This is the story of Lena Schwen and Sal Osborne. In part 1, Sal describes dating in high school, feeling as though part of her died as she mar...

Join us this Wednesday at noon as Luna Corbden, Marc Oslund, Gerardo, and John discuss the Mormon Church's efforts to use the psychological theory of inoculation to pre-expose the youth to weakened versions of the troubling history through an updated CES and Sunday School curriculum.   "... Please, before you send them into the world, inoculate your students by providing faithful, thoughtful, and...

James Jesse Strang (March 21, 1813 – July 9, 1856) was an American religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed monarch. In 1844 he claimed to have been appointed to be the successor of Joseph Smith as leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite),[a] a faction of the Latter Day Saint movement. Strang testified that he had possession of a letter from Smith naming him as...

THRIVEDAY is 11 days away!   The speaker lineup and music are epic.   Also, we have added a reception/open bar/karaoke night on 11/13 at 7pm.   I'd love to party with you all! Our only goals are to: 1) Inspire and give Ex-Mormons hope and healing, and 2) Help Ex-Mormons find friends and community.   Please come if you are seeking any of this.   Would love to see you there! Registration is here!  ...

John Dehlin has never been so lucky! He’s joined today by the folks who have been dubbed “The Britvengers”, a collection of progressive and post Mormons who all have one thing in common, they’re British!   They will be discussing what is being called “The British Rescue”. On Halloween Weekend 3 Senior Apostles are coming and addressing the UK membership. Is this a rescue? The Britvengers are: Nemo...

Mormon Stories is honored to welcome American historian and author Newell Bringhurt on the podcast to discuss the life of Fawn Brodie, author of “No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith”. We discuss Newell’s biography of Fawn Brodie, her life as niece of LDS prophet David O. McKay, her faith, her influences to write one of the most influential books in Mormon history, and its reception b...

Join us with Australian geneticist Simon Southerton as we break down with Australian geneticist Simon Southerton the Heartland model of Book of Mormon geography which proposes that the events described in the Book of Mormon took place, primarily, in the heartland of North America. The main proponent of this model, Rodney Meldrum, and his followers have been described as a "movement" that could tra...

Join us today for an important discussion! In this special Mormon Stories live stream, Carah Burrell is honored to talk with excommunicated Mormon sex therapist Natasha Helfer to discuss the criticism of her found in Cwic Media’s video about her disciplinary council. Natasha and Carah plan to go point by point to address various accusations about her intentions and hopefully foster a better unders...

Join Margi, John, and Carah as Margi discusses the Conscious Parenting model, and how it can help with parenting “when all else fails.” ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— Show notes and links: The Conscious Parent book The Awakened Family: How to Raise Empowered, Resilient, and Conscious Children...

Please join us as John and Gerardo respond to a recent interview on the Mayim Bialik's Breakdown podcast where David Archuleta shared his experience being Mormon and gay. ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— Show notes: David's interview with Mayim Bialik A Little Book of Ace  by Clara Dehlin Let’s...

McKay ‘Spartacus’ Johnson is our guest today for this fantastic two-part Mormon Stories interview. Carah Burrell takes the reins again as lead interviewer as we talk to McKay about battling a “Nephi complex” growing up, early exposure to pornography, and his mission to Brasil where he describes being groomed by his mission companion and sexually assaulted. It’s an intense and undercover topic and...

McKay ‘Spartacus’ Johnson is our guest today for this fantastic two-part Mormon Stories interview. Carah Burrell takes the reins again as lead interviewer as we talk to McKay about battling a “Nephi complex” growing up, early exposure to pornography, and his mission to Brasil where he describes being groomed by his mission companion and sexually assaulted. It’s an intense and undercover topic and...

Today we discuss Mormon Temples, the prosperity gospel, and the Mormon church's use of social media influencers to promote its temple work. Feel free to post your comments, experiences, and questions below! Show Notes: Graph showing temple growth under Russell M. Nelson Racially insensitive murals inside the Mesa, Arizona, temple Mormon Stories' interview with Laura Schnell Jenny Komenda's Instagr...

What questions are on your mind this week? Do you have something you've been wanting to ask? What queries have you, our dear Mormon Stories listeners? Tell us! Join John and Carah for a live stream as we chat, answer your questions, and hit the hot topics of the week in the Mormon/post-Mormon realm. Show notes: Register for upcoming Thrive events Mormon Stories' interview with Marc Oslund Mormon S...

On September 12 Franklin Richards, a member of the 12 and his travel companions caught up with the Willie handcart company. They held a conference in which they insulted and ridiculed the company for their lack of faith. The GAs then said they wanted fresh meat. They made the company slaughter their "fattest calf" which they did and the GAs took the meat with them. A member of the 12 literally too...

As Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow face indictments and/or allegations for multiple murders (e.g., Chad's wife Tammy, Lori's husband Charles, Lori's brother Alex, Lori's children JJ and Tylee) - many believing LDS church members (i.e. "Mormons") have taken issue with the suggestion that Mormon beliefs played any role in these murders.   Today we conclude our 2-part series exploring the Mormon influen...

As Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow face indictments and/or allegations for multiple murders (e.g., Chad's wife Tammy, Lori's husband Charles, Lori's brother Alex, Lori's children JJ and Tylee) - many believing LDS church members (i.e. "Mormons") have taken issue with the suggestion that Mormon beliefs played any role in these murders. Today we begin Part 1 in a series exploring the Mormon influences...

Join us for this extra special Mormon Stories Podcast interview with Thomas & Cici Stokes ( @big.crick.music on TikTok) as we hear the story of their faith journey, and listen to some of Thomas' original music that helped them heal throughout their faith transition. Show notes: Thomas and Sierra's TikTok Thomas' songs on his Bandcamp page Thomas' Instagram Thomas' Spotify : Thomas' Apple Music Sie...

Join us for this extra special Mormon Stories Podcast interview with Thomas & Cici Stokes ( @big.crick.music on TikTok) as we hear the story of their faith journey, and listen to some of Thomas' original music that helped them heal throughout their faith transition. Show notes: Thomas and Sierra's TikTok Thomas' songs on his Bandcamp page Thomas' Instagram Thomas' Spotify : Thomas' Apple Music Sie...