Every once in a while we have an epic, multi-part Mormon Stories Podcast episode about a family who experiences a faith crisis together -- wherein multiple family members (including some of the children) participate in the re-telling of the story.

This is one of those episodes.

Sam and Sara Pinson were living the Mormon dream: raised in the LDS Church, married in the LDS temple, etc.  Sam obtained his “dream job” working 5 years for Microsoft, and later left Microsoft to start his own business.  The Pinson dream culminated in Sam and Sara moving to Ammon (Idaho Falls), Idaho, wherein Sam was called as a Mormon bishop.  Everything seemed perfect - except it wasn’t.

• Their teenage daughter, Olivia, was questioning both the church, and her sexuality.
• Their son, Sam Jr., was suffering with Scrupulosity (religious OCD)
• And both Sam and Sara were beginning to question their Mormon faith while Sam was serving as bishop.

Today’s episode tells the story of how a devout Mormon family in Ammon, Idaho, led by a Mormon Bishop, can end up losing their faith in Mormonism in 2020.  It also includes a full recounting of how Sam began to speak openly about his struggles with the church after losing his faith - leading to threats and ultimately a disciplinary council/excommunication.  And yes, Sam recorded and is now sharing here the full audio of his excommunication (Part 6).

Sam’s wife Sara, along with two of their brilliant children - Olivia and Sam Jr. - also participate in this super-thoughtful story/discussion.

You will not be disappointed in this episode.  HUGE thanks to Sam Sr., Sara, Olivia, and Sam Jr. for their willingness to join us on Mormon Stories Podcast and tell their epic story.

Yesterday afternoon I sat down with eight super-thoughtful Post-Mormons of color to discuss the unlawful killing of people of color by law enforcement officers and white citizens in the United States of America.

While these killings happen on a monthly basis in the United States, and have been occurring for centuries -- three of the 2020 killings that seem to be invoking particularly strong reactions are those of:

- George Floyd (46) - Killed in May in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin, while fellow officers watched.

- Ahmaud Arbery (25) - Killed in South Georgia by Travis McMichael, while his father watched.

- Breonna Taylor - Killed in March in Louisville by narcotics detectives after they knocked down her apartment door

We are aware the killings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery only because they were recorded by smart phones. As summarized by actor Will Smith, “Racism isn’t getting worse. It’s getting filmed.”

These killings have led to numerous public protests throughout the United States, including this past weekend in Salt Lake City. In some instances, it has been reported that white supremacists have infiltrated some of the protests to stoke violence and disorder.

We also discussed LDS Church president Russell M. Nelson’s recent statement in reaction to the killing of George Floyd, and the corresponding protests surrounding public awareness of Floyd’s death.

Our panelists included the following:

Cecile Shellman

Spencer Nugent

Darron Smith

Jason Ball

Kimilyn Poulson

Mark Nugent

Solange Renfroe

Victoria Denise

Yesterday afternoon I sat down with eight super-thoughtful Post-Mormons of color to discuss the unlawful killing of people of color by law enforcement officers and white citizens in the United States of America.

While these killings happen on a monthly basis in the United States, and have been occurring for centuries -- three of the 2020 killings that seem to be invoking particularly strong reactions are those of:

- George Floyd (46) - Killed in May in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin, while fellow officers watched.

- Ahmaud Arbery (25) - Killed in South Georgia by Travis McMichael, while his father watched.

- Breonna Taylor - Killed in March in Louisville by narcotics detectives after they knocked down her apartment door

We are aware the killings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery only because they were recorded by smart phones. As summarized by actor Will Smith, “Racism isn’t getting worse. It’s getting filmed.”

These killings have led to numerous public protests throughout the United States, including this past weekend in Salt Lake City. In some instances, it has been reported that white supremacists have infiltrated some of the protests to stoke violence and disorder.

We also discussed LDS Church president Russell M. Nelson’s recent statement in reaction to the killing of George Floyd, and the corresponding protests surrounding public awareness of Floyd’s death.

Our panelists included the following:

Cecile Shellman

Spencer Nugent

Darron Smith

Jason Ball

Kimilyn Poulson

Mark Nugent

Solange Renfroe

Victoria Denise

As part of our ongoing series on claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse within the Mormon Church, today we interview Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist and the author of some 70 books on religious pluralism and new religious movements.

Massimo is author of the article: A Rumor of Devils: Allegations of Satanic Child Abuse and Mormonism, 1985-1994, a paper read at the Mormon History Association in Park City, Utah on May 21, 1994. In today's episode we review the highlights of this article.

Dr, Introvigne was until 2016 professor of Sociology of Religions at Pontifical Salesian University in Torino, Italy. He has written articles inter alia for Dialogue and BYU Studies. In 2011, he served as the Representative for combating racism, xenophobia and religious intolerance of the OSCE, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, in which the USA and Canada are also participating states.

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we continue our series on the history of Repressed Memory Therapy and claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse within Utah Mormonism.  

Today’s interview is with “Kim,” who tells her experiences of being subjected to techniques of hypnosis and repressed/recovered memory in Provo/Orem Utah between 1988 and 1992.  In the interview Kim discusses her traumatic childhood - which led to her conversion to Mormonism, and left her vulnerable to Repressed/Recovered Memory techniques in adulthood while she was attempting to recover from childhood PTSD.

While living in Provo/Orem, UT and struggling in her early marriage, Kim was referred to Mormon therapists Rex Kocherhans and Ruth Kilpack - both of whom were practitioners of Repressed/Recovered Memory therapy.  Interestingly, Ruth Killpack was referred to Kim by her LDS bishop, and was also a therapist to Martha Beck, who controversially claimed that her late father, Mormon scholar and apologist Hugh Nibley, sexually abused her.  Martha Beck has acknowledged that her memories of abuse were recovered through these same Repressed/Recovered Memory techniques. 

As Ruth engaged in therapy with Mormon therapists Rex Kocherhans and Ruth Kilpack, Ruth was pressured in therapy using hypnosis to “remember” being sexually abused during her childhood, which resulted in her accusing several family members of sexual abuse - even though she was never convinced that the “memories” produced under hypnosis were real.  As these accusations left Kim increasingly paranoid, ostracized from her family, and ultimately re-traumatized - and as Kim grew increasingly uncomfortable with her therapists’ lack of appropriate boundaries and unethical therapeutic ethics -- Kim determined that her “memories” of family abuse were in fact implanted or manipulated by her therapists. 

“Kim” was later directly interviewed by Mormon General Authority Glenn Pace as a part of his investigation into Satanic Ritual within Mormonism, and eventually Kim spoke out as an advocate against “”Repressed or Recovered Memory” Techniques in newspapers, and on TV.

This is Kim’s story.

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we continue our series on the history of Repressed Memory Therapy and claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse within Utah Mormonism.  

Today’s interview is with “Kim,” who tells her experiences of being subjected to techniques of hypnosis and repressed/recovered memory in Provo/Orem Utah between 1988 and 1992.  In the interview Kim discusses her traumatic childhood - which led to her conversion to Mormonism, and left her vulnerable to Repressed/Recovered Memory techniques in adulthood while she was attempting to recover from childhood PTSD.

While living in Provo/Orem, UT and struggling in her early marriage, Kim was referred to Mormon therapists Rex Kocherhans and Ruth Kilpack - both of whom were practitioners of Repressed/Recovered Memory therapy.  Interestingly, Ruth Killpack was referred to Kim by her LDS bishop, and was also a therapist to Martha Beck, who controversially claimed that her late father, Mormon scholar and apologist Hugh Nibley, sexually abused her.  Martha Beck has acknowledged that her memories of abuse were recovered through these same Repressed/Recovered Memory techniques. 

As Ruth engaged in therapy with Mormon therapists Rex Kocherhans and Ruth Kilpack, Ruth was pressured in therapy using hypnosis to “remember” being sexually abused during her childhood, which resulted in her accusing several family members of sexual abuse - even though she was never convinced that the “memories” produced under hypnosis were real.  As these accusations left Kim increasingly paranoid, ostracized from her family, and ultimately re-traumatized - and as Kim grew increasingly uncomfortable with her therapists’ lack of appropriate boundaries and unethical therapeutic ethics -- Kim determined that her “memories” of family abuse were in fact implanted or manipulated by her therapists. 

“Kim” was later directly interviewed by Mormon General Authority Glenn Pace as a part of his investigation into Satanic Ritual within Mormonism, and eventually Kim spoke out as an advocate against “”Repressed or Recovered Memory” Techniques in newspapers, and on TV.

This is Kim’s story.

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we continue our series on the history of Repressed Memory Therapy and claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse within Utah Mormonism.  

Today’s interview is with “Kim,” who tells her experiences of being subjected to techniques of hypnosis and repressed/recovered memory in Provo/Orem Utah between 1988 and 1992.  In the interview Kim discusses her traumatic childhood - which led to her conversion to Mormonism, and left her vulnerable to Repressed/Recovered Memory techniques in adulthood while she was attempting to recover from childhood PTSD.

While living in Provo/Orem, UT and struggling in her early marriage, Kim was referred to Mormon therapists Rex Kocherhans and Ruth Kilpack - both of whom were practitioners of Repressed/Recovered Memory therapy.  Interestingly, Ruth Killpack was referred to Kim by her LDS bishop, and was also a therapist to Martha Beck, who controversially claimed that her late father, Mormon scholar and apologist Hugh Nibley, sexually abused her.  Martha Beck has acknowledged that her memories of abuse were recovered through these same Repressed/Recovered Memory techniques. 

As Ruth engaged in therapy with Mormon therapists Rex Kocherhans and Ruth Kilpack, Ruth was pressured in therapy using hypnosis to “remember” being sexually abused during her childhood, which resulted in her accusing several family members of sexual abuse - even though she was never convinced that the “memories” produced under hypnosis were real.  As these accusations left Kim increasingly paranoid, ostracized from her family, and ultimately re-traumatized - and as Kim grew increasingly uncomfortable with her therapists’ lack of appropriate boundaries and unethical therapeutic ethics -- Kim determined that her “memories” of family abuse were in fact implanted or manipulated by her therapists. 

“Kim” was later directly interviewed by Mormon General Authority Glenn Pace as a part of his investigation into Satanic Ritual within Mormonism, and eventually Kim spoke out as an advocate against “”Repressed or Recovered Memory” Techniques in newspapers, and on TV.

This is Kim’s story.

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we continue our series on the history of Repressed Memory Therapy and claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse within Utah Mormonism.  

Today’s interview is with “Kim,” who tells her experiences of being subjected to techniques of hypnosis and repressed/recovered memory in Provo/Orem Utah between 1988 and 1992.  In the interview Kim discusses her traumatic childhood - which led to her conversion to Mormonism, and left her vulnerable to Repressed/Recovered Memory techniques in adulthood while she was attempting to recover from childhood PTSD.

While living in Provo/Orem, UT and struggling in her early marriage, Kim was referred to Mormon therapists Rex Kocherhans and Ruth Kilpack - both of whom were practitioners of Repressed/Recovered Memory therapy.  Interestingly, Ruth Killpack was referred to Kim by her LDS bishop, and was also a therapist to Martha Beck, who controversially claimed that her late father, Mormon scholar and apologist Hugh Nibley, sexually abused her.  Martha Beck has acknowledged that her memories of abuse were recovered through these same Repressed/Recovered Memory techniques. 

As Ruth engaged in therapy with Mormon therapists Rex Kocherhans and Ruth Kilpack, Ruth was pressured in therapy using hypnosis to “remember” being sexually abused during her childhood, which resulted in her accusing several family members of sexual abuse - even though she was never convinced that the “memories” produced under hypnosis were real.  As these accusations left Kim increasingly paranoid, ostracized from her family, and ultimately re-traumatized - and as Kim grew increasingly uncomfortable with her therapists’ lack of appropriate boundaries and unethical therapeutic ethics -- Kim determined that her “memories” of family abuse were in fact implanted or manipulated by her therapists. 

“Kim” was later directly interviewed by Mormon General Authority Glenn Pace as a part of his investigation into Satanic Ritual within Mormonism, and eventually Kim spoke out as an advocate against “”Repressed or Recovered Memory” Techniques in newspapers, and on TV.

This is Kim’s story.

As part of a multi-part series on claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse within Mormonism, today we are interviewing Dr. David Frankfurter - author of "Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Satanic Abuse in History."

David Frankfurter holds the William Goodwin Aurelio Chair of the Appreciation of Scripture at Boston University. He joined the faculty of B.U. in the fall of 2010. A scholar of ancient Mediterranean religions with specialties in Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature, magical texts, popular religion, and Egypt in the Roman and late antique periods, Frankfurter’s particular interests revolve around theoretical issues like the place of magic in religion, the relationship of religion and violence, the nature of Christianization, and the representation of evil in culture.

After earning his B.A. in Religion from Wesleyan University, M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and M.A./Ph.D. from Princeton University, Frankfurter taught at the College of Charleston and the University of New Hampshire, and he held fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study (1993-95) and the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study (2007-8), as well as research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (1992) and the Guggenheim Foundation (2007-8).

A HUGE thank you to Rick Phillips for making this episode possible.

As part of a multi-part series on claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse within Mormonism, today we are interviewing Dr. David Frankfurter - author of "Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Satanic Abuse in History."

David Frankfurter holds the William Goodwin Aurelio Chair of the Appreciation of Scripture at Boston University. He joined the faculty of B.U. in the fall of 2010. A scholar of ancient Mediterranean religions with specialties in Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature, magical texts, popular religion, and Egypt in the Roman and late antique periods, Frankfurter’s particular interests revolve around theoretical issues like the place of magic in religion, the relationship of religion and violence, the nature of Christianization, and the representation of evil in culture.

After earning his B.A. in Religion from Wesleyan University, M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and M.A./Ph.D. from Princeton University, Frankfurter taught at the College of Charleston and the University of New Hampshire, and he held fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study (1993-95) and the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study (2007-8), as well as research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (1992) and the Guggenheim Foundation (2007-8).

A HUGE thank you to Rick Phillips for making this episode possible.

In today's episode I will provide a brief introduction to the history of Satanic Ritual Abuse Claims Within Mormonism. My intention is to follow up a few more episodes from experts and others who are able/willing to give first-hand accounts relating to this topic.

In today's episode we sit down with Hannah Comeau, who shares her story about struggling with Scrupulosity (Religious OCD) and feminist inclinations as a Mormon teenage girl in Rexburg, Idaho.

In today's episode we sit down with Hannah Comeau, who shares her story about struggling with Scrupulosity (Religious OCD) and feminist inclinations as a Mormon teenage girl in Rexburg, Idaho.

In today's episode we sit down with Hannah Comeau, who shares her story about struggling with Scrupulosity (Religious OCD) and feminist inclinations as a Mormon teenage girl in Rexburg, Idaho.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Five years years ago, upon completing my Psychology Ph.D., I began holding retreats and workshops to support Mormons in faith crisis, and specifically to help reduce anxiety, depression, suicidality, family strife, and unnecessary divorce for those experiencing a Mormon Faith Crisis.  For many of these workshops and retreats, I was fortunate to co-present with Natasha Helfer Parker and Margi Dehlin.

In August of 2019 we decided to hold a weekend retreat and record the entire experience ,including the attendee participation.  This is that retreat, which was held from 8/30 to 9/1/2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 40 audience members participated.  The following topics were addressed:

• Understanding and Navigating a Religious Transition
• Fundamentals of Mental Health in a Religious Transition
• The Key to Healthy Relationships: Emotional Intimacy
• Healthy Sexuality After a Faith Transition
• Conscious Parenting
• Communicating with Believing Family and Friends

We hope you enjoy this content.  It is the best insight we can share to help you navigate your religious transition.

Finally, a HUGE thanks goes to Clint and Jeni Martin for underwriting this event.

Clarissa Winter is a direct descendant of Brigham Young (on her father’s side) and a Guatemalan Mormon convert (on her mother’s side). Clarissa was raised in Orderville, Utah as a devout Mormon, but during her teenage years began to “fall away” from orthodox Mormonism as she explored her own sexuality and struggled with anxiety, depression, and suicidality. After being labeled by her Mormon peers with terms like “bad,” “slut,” “crazy,” “whore,” “unworthy” - and after being threatened with excommunication by two Mormon bishops for sexual exploration - Clarissa left Mormonism and spent many years as a young adult trying to heal from her Mormon upbringing, and develop her own sense of self-worth and self-empowerment. Today’s episode is about rising strong as an ex-Mormon adult after being deemed “unworthy” and experiencing rejection from one’s conservative Mormon community. Clarissa is also a model, a big fan of scary movies, and does scary movie-themed boudoir shoots. You can find her Instagram account at callmemrskrueger.

Clarissa Winter is a direct descendant of Brigham Young (on her father’s side) and a Guatemalan Mormon convert (on her mother’s side). Clarissa was raised in Orderville, Utah as a devout Mormon, but during her teenage years began to “fall away” from orthodox Mormonism as she explored her own sexuality and struggled with anxiety, depression, and suicidality. After being labeled by her Mormon peers with terms like “bad,” “slut,” “crazy,” “whore,” “unworthy” - and after being threatened with excommunication by two Mormon bishops for sexual exploration - Clarissa left Mormonism and spent many years as a young adult trying to heal from her Mormon upbringing, and develop her own sense of self-worth and self-empowerment. Today’s episode is about rising strong as an ex-Mormon adult after being deemed “unworthy” and experiencing rejection from one’s conservative Mormon community. Clarissa is also a model, a big fan of scary movies, and does scary movie-themed boudoir shoots. You can find her Instagram account at callmemrskrueger.

Clarissa Winter is a direct descendant of Brigham Young (on her father’s side) and a Guatemalan Mormon convert (on her mother’s side). Clarissa was raised in Orderville, Utah as a devout Mormon, but during her teenage years began to “fall away” from orthodox Mormonism as she explored her own sexuality and struggled with anxiety, depression, and suicidality. After being labeled by her Mormon peers with terms like “bad,” “slut,” “crazy,” “whore,” “unworthy” - and after being threatened with excommunication by two Mormon bishops for sexual exploration - Clarissa left Mormonism and spent many years as a young adult trying to heal from her Mormon upbringing, and develop her own sense of self-worth and self-empowerment. Today’s episode is about rising strong as an ex-Mormon adult after being deemed “unworthy” and experiencing rejection from one’s conservative Mormon community. Clarissa is also a model, a big fan of scary movies, and does scary movie-themed boudoir shoots. You can find her Instagram account at callmemrskrueger.

Clarissa Winter is a direct descendant of Brigham Young (on her father’s side) and a Guatemalan Mormon convert (on her mother’s side). Clarissa was raised in Orderville, Utah as a devout Mormon, but during her teenage years began to “fall away” from orthodox Mormonism as she explored her own sexuality and struggled with anxiety, depression, and suicidality. After being labeled by her Mormon peers with terms like “bad,” “slut,” “crazy,” “whore,” “unworthy” - and after being threatened with excommunication by two Mormon bishops for sexual exploration - Clarissa left Mormonism and spent many years as a young adult trying to heal from her Mormon upbringing, and develop her own sense of self-worth and self-empowerment. Today’s episode is about rising strong as an ex-Mormon adult after being deemed “unworthy” and experiencing rejection from one’s conservative Mormon community. Clarissa is also a model, a big fan of scary movies, and does scary movie-themed boudoir shoots. You can find her Instagram account at callmemrskrueger.

Given the high demand for coaching support right now and the cash crunch being felt by everyone, I am putting together two weekly online Mormon faith transition support groups: one for individuals, and one for couples.

I am limiting the individual group to 8 people, and the couples group to 4 couples.

There are three main benefits to support groups:
1) They are more effective, mostly because you get input/support/ideas/motivation from an entire group.
2) They last longer (1.5 hours/week instead of 1 hour/week).
3) They are cheaper.

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art.

Important themes for this episode include:

• Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth.
• Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult.
• Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis.
• Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church.
• An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty).
• Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality.
• Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview.
• Learning to choose love over ideas.

• Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions.
• Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood.
• Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem."
• Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art.

Important themes for this episode include:

• Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth.
• Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult.
• Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis.
• Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church.
• An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty).
• Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality.
• Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview.
• Learning to choose love over ideas.

• Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions.
• Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood.
• Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem."
• Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art.

Important themes for this episode include:

• Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth.
• Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult.
• Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis.
• Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church.
• An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty).
• Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality.
• Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview.
• Learning to choose love over ideas.

• Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions.
• Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood.
• Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem."
• Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art.

Important themes for this episode include:

• Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth.
• Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult.
• Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis.
• Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church.
• An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty).
• Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality.
• Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview.
• Learning to choose love over ideas.

• Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions.
• Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood.
• Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem."
• Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art.

Important themes for this episode include:

• Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth.
• Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult.
• Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis.
• Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church.
• An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty).
• Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality.
• Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview.
• Learning to choose love over ideas.

• Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions.
• Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood.
• Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem."
• Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art.

Important themes for this episode include:

• Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth.
• Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult.
• Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis.
• Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church.
• An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty).
• Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality.
• Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview.
• Learning to choose love over ideas.

• Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions.
• Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood.
• Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem."
• Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art.

Important themes for this episode include:

• Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth.
• Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult.
• Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis.
• Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church.
• An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty).
• Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality.
• Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview.
• Learning to choose love over ideas.

• Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions.
• Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood.
• Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem."
• Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

The “THRIVING after Mormonism” project is an effort to profile thriving post-Mormons and progressive Mormons with the intent of providing tips, tricks, inspiration, and hope to those who are questioning and/or leaving Mormonism.

If you are a newly questioning/doubting Mormon, we want you to know know that:

- You are not crazy.
- You are not alone.
- You should not be afraid to doubt/question Mormonism.
- You CAN find healing, joy, and growth beyond orthodox Mormonism.

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule.

Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism:

• Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings.
• She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children.
• She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes.
• Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy.
• Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission.
• Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt.
• After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.”
• Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children.
• Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward.

This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process.

You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule.

Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism:

• Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings.
• She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children.
• She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes.
• Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy.
• Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission.
• Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt.
• After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.”
• Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children.
• Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward.

This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process.

You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule.

Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism:

• Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings.
• She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children.
• She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes.
• Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy.
• Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission.
• Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt.
• After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.”
• Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children.
• Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward.

This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process.

You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule.

Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism:

• Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings.
• She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children.
• She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes.
• Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy.
• Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission.
• Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt.
• After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.”
• Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children.
• Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward.

This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process.

You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule.

Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism:

• Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings.
• She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children.
• She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes.
• Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy.
• Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission.
• Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt.
• After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.”
• Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children.
• Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward.

This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process.

You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

URGENT! I am currently being flooded by parents and family members of Mormon missionaries, elderly senior missionaries, patriarchs, temple workers, workers at Deseret Industries, etc. about the Mormon church's tragically inadequate response to the COVID-19 / Coronavirus outbreak. It appears as though many church leaders, mission presidents, and missionaries are seeing the Corona virus pandemic as an opportunity to corner people in their homes, with hopes of spreading the gospel. It has also come to my attention that Mormon church patriarchs, temple workers (most of whom also fit into the high risk category), and workers at Deseret Industries are still being asked to travel from home to home to give patriarchal blessings, and/or to show up at the temples or at Deseret Industries to work.

Did you ever struggle with your identity as a Mormon? Did you ever feel like who you were inside didn't fit the Mormon mold? 

Have you ever been estranged from family over religious differences? Are you suffering with the idea that reconciliation will never happen?

Join us now for this epic and inspiring Mormon Stories Podcast episode which covers so many essential topics including:

- Faith, family, commitment.

- Divorce. Estrangement.

- Excommunication and re-baptism.

- Faith crisis issues.

- Family reconciliation after 17 years of estrangement.

These are thoughtful, wise, and inspiring humans - and you will not regret time spent on this episode. It will restore your faith that relationships can be reconciled after estrangement from a faith crisis.

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we are interviewing Anastasia Bigun.  Anastasia was born in Ukraine.  She and her mother met the Mormon missionaries when she was 10, and she began attending the Mormon church then, though she was not allowed by her father to be baptized until age 18.  After joining the Mormon church, Anastasia moved to the United States at age 21 to attend BYU.  The themes for today’s interview will include: 1) Learning more about living in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s relationship to Russia, 2) what it is like to be Mormon in Ukraine, 3) Anastasia’s own faith journey, and 4) Anastasia’s perspective on the U.S./Ukraine/Russia news stories this year.

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we are interviewing Anastasia Bigun.  Anastasia was born in Ukraine.  She and her mother met the Mormon missionaries when she was 10, and she began attending the Mormon church then, though she was not allowed by her father to be baptized until age 18.  After joining the Mormon church, Anastasia moved to the United States at age 21 to attend BYU.  The themes for today’s interview will include: 1) Learning more about living in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s relationship to Russia, 2) what it is like to be Mormon in Ukraine, 3) Anastasia’s own faith journey, and 4) Anastasia’s perspective on the U.S./Ukraine/Russia news stories this year.

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we are interviewing Anastasia Bigun.  Anastasia was born in Ukraine.  She and her mother met the Mormon missionaries when she was 10, and she began attending the Mormon church then, though she was not allowed by her father to be baptized until age 18.  After joining the Mormon church, Anastasia moved to the United States at age 21 to attend BYU.  The themes for today’s interview will include: 1) Learning more about living in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s relationship to Russia, 2) what it is like to be Mormon in Ukraine, 3) Anastasia’s own faith journey, and 4) Anastasia’s perspective on the U.S./Ukraine/Russia news stories this year.

Today on Mormon Stories Podcast we are interviewing Anastasia Bigun.  Anastasia was born in Ukraine.  She and her mother met the Mormon missionaries when she was 10, and she began attending the Mormon church then, though she was not allowed by her father to be baptized until age 18.  After joining the Mormon church, Anastasia moved to the United States at age 21 to attend BYU.  The themes for today’s interview will include: 1) Learning more about living in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s relationship to Russia, 2) what it is like to be Mormon in Ukraine, 3) Anastasia’s own faith journey, and 4) Anastasia’s perspective on the U.S./Ukraine/Russia news stories this year.

February 2020 marks the 5 year anniversary of my excommunication from the Mormon church.

In a desire to protect myself against the possibility of slander or misinformation from the church or its apologists (as was experienced by former church members such as Fawn Brodie, Simon Southerton, and Kate Kelly during their disciplinary councils), I recorded all of the interviews I had with my bishops (James Stephenson and Brian Hunt) and stake presidents (Mark Jensen and Bryan King) leading up to my disciplinary council/excommunication.

As I have been opposed to Mormon Disciplinary Councils from my childhood on, it was always my intention to publish these interviews as a matter of public record - but I decided to hold off on publishing them for several years.

In light of the recent changes made to the Mormon church's disciplinary council process, and on the 5th anniversary of my excommunication, I am publishing them now.

February 2020 marks the 5 year anniversary of my excommunication from the Mormon church.

In a desire to protect myself against the possibility of slander or misinformation from the church or its apologists (as was experienced by former church members such as Fawn Brodie, Simon Southerton, and Kate Kelly during their disciplinary councils), I recorded all of the interviews I had with my bishops (James Stephenson and Brian Hunt) and stake presidents (Mark Jensen and Bryan King) leading up to my disciplinary council/excommunication.

As I have been opposed to Mormon Disciplinary Councils from my childhood on, it was always my intention to publish these interviews as a matter of public record - but I decided to hold off on publishing them for several years.

In light of the recent changes made to the Mormon church's disciplinary council process, and on the 5th anniversary of my excommunication, I am publishing them now.

February 2020 marks the 5 year anniversary of my excommunication from the Mormon church.

In a desire to protect myself against the possibility of slander or misinformation from the church or its apologists (as was experienced by former church members such as Fawn Brodie, Simon Southerton, and Kate Kelly during their disciplinary councils), I recorded all of the interviews I had with my bishops (James Stephenson and Brian Hunt) and stake presidents (Mark Jensen and Bryan King) leading up to my disciplinary council/excommunication.

As I have been opposed to Mormon Disciplinary Councils from my childhood on, it was always my intention to publish these interviews as a matter of public record - but I decided to hold off on publishing them for several years.

In light of the recent changes made to the Mormon church's disciplinary council process, and on the 5th anniversary of my excommunication, I am publishing them now.

February 2020 marks the 5 year anniversary of my excommunication from the Mormon church.

In a desire to protect myself against the possibility of slander or misinformation from the church or its apologists (as was experienced by former church members such as Fawn Brodie, Simon Southerton, and Kate Kelly during their disciplinary councils), I recorded all of the interviews I had with my bishops (James Stephenson and Brian Hunt) and stake presidents (Mark Jensen and Bryan King) leading up to my disciplinary council/excommunication.

As I have been opposed to Mormon Disciplinary Councils from my childhood on, it was always my intention to publish these interviews as a matter of public record - but I decided to hold off on publishing them for several years.

In light of the recent changes made to the Mormon church's disciplinary council process, and on the 5th anniversary of my excommunication, I am publishing them now.

February 2020 marks the 5 year anniversary of my excommunication from the Mormon church.

In a desire to protect myself against the possibility of slander or misinformation from the church or its apologists (as was experienced by former church members such as Fawn Brodie, Simon Southerton, and Kate Kelly during their disciplinary councils), I recorded all of the interviews I had with my bishops (James Stephenson and Brian Hunt) and stake presidents (Mark Jensen and Bryan King) leading up to my disciplinary council/excommunication.

As I have been opposed to Mormon Disciplinary Councils from my childhood on, it was always my intention to publish these interviews as a matter of public record - but I decided to hold off on publishing them for several years.

In light of the recent changes made to the Mormon church's disciplinary council process, and on the 5th anniversary of my excommunication, I am publishing them now.

February 2020 marks the 5 year anniversary of my excommunication from the Mormon church.

In a desire to protect myself against the possibility of slander or misinformation from the church or its apologists (as was experienced by former church members such as Fawn Brodie, Simon Southerton, and Kate Kelly during their disciplinary councils), I recorded all of the interviews I had with my bishops (James Stephenson and Brian Hunt) and stake presidents (Mark Jensen and Bryan King) leading up to my disciplinary council/excommunication.

As I have been opposed to Mormon Disciplinary Councils from my childhood on, it was always my intention to publish these interviews as a matter of public record - but I decided to hold off on publishing them for several years.

In light of the recent changes made to the Mormon church's disciplinary council process, and on the 5th anniversary of my excommunication, I am publishing them now.

This is Part 2 of our review of the recently announced changes to the LDS Church's General Handbook of Instructions. Major changes include:

- Major changes to the church's Disciplinary Council and Exommunication processes.

- Major changes for LGBTQ Mormons, and specifically for Transgender Mormons.

- Some minor changes for women/feminists.

- Other changes to general policy.

Tonight our panel includes Natasha Helfer Parker, Gina Colvin, Anthony D. Miller, Kyle Ashworth, Samantha Taylor, and Jana Johnson Spangler.

This is Part 2 of our review of the recently announced changes to the LDS Church's General Handbook of Instructions. Major changes include:

- Major changes to the church's Disciplinary Council and Exommunication processes.

- Major changes for LGBTQ Mormons, and specifically for Transgender Mormons.

- Some minor changes for women/feminists.

- Other changes to general policy.

Tonight our panel includes Natasha Helfer Parker, Gina Colvin, Anthony D. Miller, Kyle Ashworth, Samantha Taylor, and Jana Johnson Spangler.

This is Part 2 of our review of the recently announced changes to the LDS Church's General Handbook of Instructions. Major changes include:

- Major changes to the church's Disciplinary Council and Exommunication processes.

- Major changes for LGBTQ Mormons, and specifically for Transgender Mormons.

- Some minor changes for women/feminists.

- Other changes to general policy.

Tonight our panel includes Natasha Helfer Parker, Gina Colvin, Anthony D. Miller, Kyle Ashworth, Samantha Taylor, and Jana Johnson Spangler.

Today we will be reviewing the recently announced changes to the LDS Church's General Handbook of Instructions. Major changes include:

- Major changes to the church's Disciplinary Council and Excommunication processes.

- Major changes for LGBTQ Mormons, and specifically for Transgender Mormons.

- Some minor changes for women/feminists.

- Other changes to general policy.

For part 1 of this series I will be reviewing the changes. For parts 2 - ? of this series I will bring on a panel to discuss the changes.

On today’s episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Dr. Chris Thomas as we discuss his book “A Pentecostal Reads The Book of Mormon.” We begin by discovering Dr. Thomas’ religious background and perspective, then delve into how and why Dr. Thomas decided to apply his perspective to the Mormon faith. 

On today’s episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Dr. Chris Thomas as we discuss his book “A Pentecostal Reads The Book of Mormon.” We begin by discovering Dr. Thomas’ religious background and perspective, then delve into how and why Dr. Thomas decided to apply his perspective to the Mormon faith. 

On today’s episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Dr. Chris Thomas as we discuss his book “A Pentecostal Reads The Book of Mormon.” We begin by discovering Dr. Thomas’ religious background and perspective, then delve into how and why Dr. Thomas decided to apply his perspective to the Mormon faith. 

For today's Mormon Stories Podcast interview we will speak with Sian Wall Coombs. Sian is a mother of 5 who lives in Wales (U.K.). We will be discussing:

- Her life as the 7th of 9 children in a Welsh Mormon family,
- Her parents' very public divorce,
- Dealing with the difficulties of teenage pregnancy and church discipline,
- Her marriage to a church convert and life as an orthodox Mormon,
- Her faith crisis, and
- Her process of navigating life after Mormonism.

For today's Mormon Stories Podcast interview we will speak with Sian Wall Coombs. Sian is a mother of 5 who lives in Wales (U.K.). We will be discussing:

- Her life as the 7th of 9 children in a Welsh Mormon family,
- Her parents' very public divorce,
- Dealing with the difficulties of teenage pregnancy and church discipline,
- Her marriage to a church convert and life as an orthodox Mormon,
- Her faith crisis, and
- Her process of navigating life after Mormonism.

For today's Mormon Stories Podcast interview we will speak with Sian Wall Coombs. Sian is a mother of 5 who lives in Wales (U.K.). We will be discussing:

- Her life as the 7th of 9 children in a Welsh Mormon family,
- Her parents' very public divorce,
- Dealing with the difficulties of teenage pregnancy and church discipline,
- Her marriage to a church convert and life as an orthodox Mormon,
- Her faith crisis, and
- Her process of navigating life after Mormonism.

For today's Mormon Stories Podcast interview we will speak with Sian Wall Coombs. Sian is a mother of 5 who lives in Wales (U.K.). We will be discussing:

- Her life as the 7th of 9 children in a Welsh Mormon family,
- Her parents' very public divorce,
- Dealing with the difficulties of teenage pregnancy and church discipline,
- Her marriage to a church convert and life as an orthodox Mormon,
- Her faith crisis, and
- Her process of navigating life after Mormonism.

It has been five years since "Mormon Stories" podcast host John Dehlin was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It was a very difficult episode for him and his family, who also either left the church or are no longer active.

The podcast began 15 years ago and has become a place where Latter-day Saints having a faith crisis can go for support and understanding.

Now it has sparked a community of both former and current believers who look to Dehlin for camaraderie.

Today we speak with sociologists Rick Phillips and Ryan Cragun about "Why the Mormon Church has Declining Growth Rates in Utah and the World."

Today we speak with sociologists Rick Phillips and Ryan Cragun about "Why the Mormon Church has Declining Growth Rates in Utah and the World."

Rob from the Normon Podcast interviews John Dehlin about Mormon Stories Podcast, why he started it, and his excommunication. They also discuss changes in society and religion on homosexual marriage.

Today we are interviewing Lila Tueller - daughter of prominent Mormon General Authority, Hartman Rector Jr. Today we will discuss Lila’s story, which includes:

- Her parent’s story joining the church and becoming church leaders.

- What it was like to grow up in the family of a prominent Mormon General Authority.

- Lila’s own faith journey as a Mormon, which includes her own faith crisis.

- Lila’s beliefs and perspective now about Mormonism, and about life.

Today we are interviewing Lila Tueller - daughter of prominent Mormon General Authority, Hartman Rector Jr. Today we will discuss Lila’s story, which includes:

- Her parent’s story joining the church and becoming church leaders.

- What it was like to grow up in the family of a prominent Mormon General Authority.

- Lila’s own faith journey as a Mormon, which includes her own faith crisis.

- Lila’s beliefs and perspective now about Mormonism, and about life.

Today we are interviewing Lila Tueller - daughter of prominent Mormon General Authority, Hartman Rector Jr. Today we will discuss Lila’s story, which includes:

- Her parent’s story joining the church and becoming church leaders.

- What it was like to grow up in the family of a prominent Mormon General Authority.

- Lila’s own faith journey as a Mormon, which includes her own faith crisis.

- Lila’s beliefs and perspective now about Mormonism, and about life.

Today we are interviewing Lila Tueller - daughter of prominent Mormon General Authority, Hartman Rector Jr. Today we will discuss Lila’s story, which includes:

- Her parent’s story joining the church and becoming church leaders.

- What it was like to grow up in the family of a prominent Mormon General Authority.

- Lila’s own faith journey as a Mormon, which includes her own faith crisis.

- Lila’s beliefs and perspective now about Mormonism, and about life.

On January 16, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that a newly approved and launched Utah HIV/Condom campaign is in jeopardy as Governor Gary Herbert has expressed discomfort with the "offensive" packaging.

Today we briefly interview Sampson Utley who is a volunteer on the project, and who has insider information about the story.

Join us now as we continue our interview with Joe Tippetts about returning to Mormon Church Activity as a Non-Traditional Believer.

Join us now as we continue our interview with Joe Tippetts about returning to Mormon Church Activity as a Non-Traditional Believer.

Join us now as we continue our interview with Joe Tippetts about returning to Mormon Church Activity as a Non-Traditional Believer.

In today’s episode we interview Dave, Keri, and Alyssa Witbeck as they discuss their navigation through Mormonism as a family of very conscientious members. Themes in today’s episode include parent/child dynamics, perfectionism, religious orthodoxy, spousal abuse, eating disorders, divorce, depression, and faith crises. We will also discuss the basic THRIVE questions around healing and growth beyond Mormonism.

In today’s episode we interview Dave, Keri, and Alyssa Witbeck as they discuss their navigation through Mormonism as a family of very conscientious members. Themes in today’s episode include parent/child dynamics, perfectionism, religious orthodoxy, spousal abuse, eating disorders, divorce, depression, and faith crises. We will also discuss the basic THRIVE questions around healing and growth beyond Mormonism.

In today’s episode we interview Dave, Keri, and Alyssa Witbeck as they discuss their navigation through Mormonism as a family of very conscientious members. Themes in today’s episode include parent/child dynamics, perfectionism, religious orthodoxy, spousal abuse, eating disorders, divorce, depression, and faith crises. We will also discuss the basic THRIVE questions around healing and growth beyond Mormonism.

In today’s episode we interview Dave, Keri, and Alyssa Witbeck as they discuss their navigation through Mormonism as a family of very conscientious members. Themes in today’s episode include parent/child dynamics, perfectionism, religious orthodoxy, spousal abuse, eating disorders, divorce, depression, and faith crises. We will also discuss the basic THRIVE questions around healing and growth beyond Mormonism.

In today’s episode we interview Dave, Keri, and Alyssa Witbeck as they discuss their navigation through Mormonism as a family of very conscientious members. Themes in today’s episode include parent/child dynamics, perfectionism, religious orthodoxy, spousal abuse, eating disorders, divorce, depression, and faith crises. We will also discuss the basic THRIVE questions around healing and growth beyond Mormonism.

Join us today as we interview Joe Tippetts, who resigned from the Mormon church in 2014 after losing his faith. In 2019 Joe was re-baptized into the church again. His passion now is building bridges between Mormons and post-Mormons.

Join us today as we interview Joe Tippetts, who resigned from the Mormon church in 2014 after losing his faith. In 2019 Joe was re-baptized into the church again. His passion now is building bridges between Mormons and post-Mormons.

Join us today as we interview Joe Tippetts, who resigned from the Mormon church in 2014 after losing his faith. In 2019 Joe was re-baptized into the church again. His passion now is building bridges between Mormons and post-Mormons.

John provides an overview for the plans and vision of THRIVE in 2020

In our first in a series of condensed interviews where we interview mixed-faith couples and get right to the heart of the issues they face, we meet with Polly and Justin Brown. Polly and Justin were recently featured on an episode of the Marriage on a Tightrope Podcast and today we are excited to hear their story.

In our first in a series of condensed interviews where we interview mixed-faith couples and get right to the heart of the issues they face, we meet with Polly and Justin Brown. Polly and Justin were recently featured on an episode of the Marriage on a Tightrope Podcast and today we are excited to hear their story.

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Live at THRIVEDAY Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 11/17/19

Our follow-up interview with author Amber Scorah of the book "Leaving the Witness" at the Community of Christ in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this interview, we solicit comments and questions from our live audience.