Mormon Stories Podcast

In this series on Mormon Stories, we interview the fabulous Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT, CST — moderator of the Mormon Mental Health podcast — to finally hear her “Mormon story.” This interview covers: *Being raised in the Church with convert parents in Spain and her eventual move to the US *Natasha and her family’s concerns about the practice of polygamy and frustration that their questions never...

In this episode, we interview Brynne Thomas Gant -- the author of "They Can Leave the Church, But They Can't Leave the Church Alone"

In this episode, we interview Brynne Thomas Gant -- the author of "They Can Leave the Church, But They Can't Leave the Church Alone"

In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Savannah and her mother, Heather. In this episode of Mormon Stories we interview Savannah and her mother, Heather.  Savannah recently generated international media attention when she came out as gay to her Mormon ward (congregation) in Eagle Mountain, Utah during fast and testimony meeting (May 7, 2017).  Towards the end of her testimony, a presiding...

In this episode of Mormon Stories and Mormon Transitions, John and Margi reflect back on their 13 years of experience as semi- and non-believers and provide their advice on how to successfully navigate activity in the LDS Church.  Some of the topics discussed are: *Advice on how to determine whether church attendance is a healthy option for you and your family *Living the “Law of Tithing” in a way...

Continuing our series on “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Sarah Newcomb who descends from the Tsimshian of the NW Coastal Tribes. In this interview we cover: *How Sarah struggled as a youth knowing that she came from the ‘Lamanites,’ who had turned their backs on God. *How she worked her way through college in Rexburg, ID, acquired a degree in Communications/Journalism, and how her new knowled...

We are excited to release an interview with Jen Parkinson that has many fascinating components, including: *Her devout LDS upbringing and bout with perfectionism while a youth and as a missionary *Her first marriage to a gay man, unbeknownst to her *Experiences with LDS Family Services in addressing her husband’s sexual orientation *Her resulting divorce and intense feelings of guilt and shame *Th...

We are excited to release an interview with Jen Parkinson that has many fascinating components, including: *Her devout LDS upbringing and bout with perfectionism while a youth and as a missionary *Her first marriage to a gay man, unbeknownst to her *Experiences with LDS Family Services in addressing her husband’s sexual orientation *Her resulting divorce and intense feelings of guilt and shame *Th...

We are excited to release an interview with Jen Parkinson that has many fascinating components, including: *Her devout LDS upbringing and bout with perfectionism while a youth and as a missionary *Her first marriage to a gay man, unbeknownst to her *Experiences with LDS Family Services in addressing her husband’s sexual orientation *Her resulting divorce and intense feelings of guilt and shame *Th...

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Derrick Clements—a new contributor to “The Cheeky Mormon Movie Review” podcast series with Gina Colvin, avid podcaster, and reporter for Provo’s Daily Herald. In part 2, Derrick shares his beliefs and reasons for remaining active in the LDS Church and the important role personal honesty and integrity play in that decision. As a general rule, Derric...

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Derrick Clements—a new contributor to “The Cheeky Mormon Movie Review” podcast series with Gina Colvin, avid podcaster, and reporter for Provo’s Daily Herald. Derrick and John begin part 1 by discussing categories of people who remain active in the LDS Church, including those who are: Unaware of church “problems” Unable to leave without massive dis...

This episode is a recording of Dr. John Dehlin's goodbye presentation to Cache Valley Oasis - a secular support community formed in Fall of 2015 in Logan, Utah. In his presentation (recorded May 21, 2017), John shared reflections of "lessons" he has learned over the course of 13 years as a Mormon/Post-Mormon activist.

In this episode of Mormon Stories, Margi and John share and discuss their ideas in creating a family culture.  Margi uses the metaphor of a “tower” with 5 building blocks to show their cumulative effect.   These building blocks are:   Values — the foundational layer Embodiment — the living of those values Ritual — the framework that integrates those values into your schedule Tradition — opportunit...

Continuing our series entitled “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Mormons from Central and South America, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders — with the intent of exploring their faith transitions, and focusing (where relevant) particularly on their thoughts and feelings around having been handed the now questionable “Lamanite” identity. In this episode we interview Hyrum Joe, and cover the...

Continuing our series entitled “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Mormons from Central and South America, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders — with the intent of exploring their faith transitions, and focusing (where relevant) particularly on their thoughts and feelings around having been handed the now questionable “Lamanite” identity. In this episode we interview Hyrum Joe, and cover the...

This episode begins our series on “Losing the Lamanites” where we interview people from Central and South America, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders with the intent of exploring their faith transitions—especially their thoughts and feelings on the identity of “Lamanite” being given to them.   Vania Moore was raised in the LDS Church and has recently experienced a faith transition.  In this e...

This episode begins our series on “Losing the Lamanites” where we interview people from Central and South America, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders with the intent of exploring their faith transitions—especially their thoughts and feelings on the identity of “Lamanite” being given to them.   Vania Moore was raised in the LDS Church and has recently experienced a faith transition.  In this e...

In this episode John Dehlin (OSF Chief Executive Officer, Board Member) and Craig Woodfield (OSF Board Member, Finance Committee Chair) review the successes of the Open Stories Foundation for 2016.  Items discussed include: The OSF's longstanding commitment to financial transparency. The incredible growth of OSF podcasts in 2016. The emergence and success of a new retreats/workshops initiative to...

In this episode Margi Dehlin shares an essay she recently wrote named "Broken Open."

Concluding our series on Transgender/Intersex issues within Mormonism, we interview London Flynn.  London discusses her transition from male to female as a post-Mormon teen, including: *Her desires and behaviors she wanted to take part in as a child, but was not free to express *Achieving the Eagle Scout award as a teen, but feeling disconnected from the other boys *Her fears of “coming out” when...

In this episode, John, Margi, and Natasha Helfer Parker discuss guiding principles to maintaining successful relationships

In this episode, John, Margi, and Natasha Helfer Parker discuss forming a foundation for marriage that withstands change

In this episode of Mormon Stories, we continue our series on Transgender/Intersex education within Mormonism by interviewing Alex Autry.  Alex discusses his transition from female to male as a post-Mormon teen, including: His early feelings and experiences with gender as a child His upbringing in the LDS Church and feelings of disconnection while involved in Young Women’s activities The constant d...

In this episode John and Margi interview four individuals who are transgender and either active LDS or former LDS. Our panelists for this interview are Kimberly, Ann, Emmett, and Augustus. We discuss: *What it was like growing up in the LDS Church *What effect bullying and life in the “closet” had on them *How the panelists see transgender people fitting (or not) into LDS Church doctrine *“Trans-e...

Part 4: Kimberly shares the impact her transition had on her Mormon life, and shares her vision of the future Kimberly Anderson is a self-actualized woman who has made the change from living for 45 years as a Mormon man to living openly as a woman. Before her transition, she lived, worked, and thrived for decades as a spouse, parent of two children, faithful Mormon, professional photographer, and...