Mormon Stories Podcast Not So Secret Lives of Not So Mormon Wives - Season 3 Pt. 2 | Ep. 2093
Dec 12, 2025
In this discussion, Alyssa Whitbeck, a writer and producer focused on Mormon culture, joins Samantha Shelley, a faith transition coach and content creator, to dive into the dynamics of relationships showcased in a popular series. They explore the complexities of Mikayla and Jace's struggles, the pervasive effects of sexual trauma in the Mormon community, and the challenges of growing up with purity culture. The dialogue also covers sexual education, marital intimacy, and the consequences of fame within the cast, highlighting cultural tensions and shifting norms in contemporary Mormonism.
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Purity Culture Fuels Hidden Sexual Trauma
- Sexual trauma and untreated purity-culture effects are widespread in Mormon communities and often drive long-term sexual dysfunction in marriages.
- John Dehlin and guests link systemic hush practices and lack of sexual education to pervasive untreated trauma.
Historical Roots Shape Modern Patriarchy
- Historical patterns in early Mormon polygamy contribute to modern patriarchal norms and age-disparate relationships.
- Alyssa and John argue that cultural legacies shape Utah laws and social tolerance for older men with teenage partners.
Purity Culture Silences Female Sexual Agency
- Purity culture often denies women sexual knowledge and agency, leaving eroticism unexplored and outsourced to husbands.
- Samantha and guests note this creates lifelong sexual dysfunction and identity confusion.
