Unpacking our Different Reactions to General Conference (with Ben & Charlie)

THE Exclusive: In this episode, Charlie and Ben reflect on their contrasting experiences at the most recent General Conference. Charlie had a positive and hopeful experience, while Ben felt deeply hurt and ostracized by certain messages. As they discuss the positives and negatives, the conversation shifts away from the conference itself and becomes more focused on personal pain and frustration. Ben shares his struggles with feelings of exclusion, while Charlie tries to validate his pain but struggles to fully connect with its source.

This leads to a tense moment between the two, as they try to understand each other’s emotions but find it hard to see eye to eye. The episode sheds light on how, as LGBTQ members of the church, things that may seem harmless or unremarkable to others can be deeply triggering. It’s an honest exploration of how two people can have different emotional responses to the same event and the complexities of supporting one another through those differences.