Faith Matters

A conversation with Astrid Tuminez, President of Utah Valley University, explores her journey from the Philippines to the US, her Catholic upbringing, conversion to Mormonism, and incorporation of Buddhism. Topics include staying connected to the church community, navigating faith in young adulthood, and finding belonging while embracing personal beliefs.

Therapist and podcaster Valerie Hamaker discusses faith evolution, complexity in relationships, and overcoming fear-inducing theology. Insightful exploration of navigating faith transitions, parenting challenges, and supporting loved ones' diverse spiritual paths.

Esteemed author and Institute teacher Michael Wilcox shares wisdom on embracing the marginalized, promoting acceptance over judgment, and seeking truth in conversations. He emphasizes compassion, forgiveness, and respect for all, advocating for inclusivity and understanding in building a more compassionate community.

Michael Wilcox shares a compelling narrative about his father's life as a gay LDS man in the mid-20th century. The story delves into family struggles, acceptance, and the release from judgment. It highlights love without agendas and the celestial nature of relationships. The podcast explores themes of devotion, personal struggles, forgiveness, and embracing love. It emphasizes the importance of letting go of judgment and focusing on acceptance for transformative experiences.

Rabbi Sharon Brous, author of 'The Amen Effect', discusses the importance of deep connections and solidarity in healing communities. She shares personal stories and practical advice on building relationships, exploring creation stories, the practice of presence in grief, agenda-less love, the power of prayer, angels among us, and the meaning of rituals in religious settings.

Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith America, discusses embracing religious diversity, promoting interfaith cooperation, and the benefits of religious pluralism in refugee resettlement. The conversation highlights the importance of building bridges across beliefs for a harmonious world.

Neylan McBaine and Bethany Brady Spalding discuss the future of women in the church, addressing social issues, patriarchal structures, and the evolving role of women. They explore tensions, spiritual gifts, empowering women, theological doctrines versus practices, and the importance of unity in religious beliefs.

Bob Rees, a seasoned Latter-day Saint scholar, shares his deep love for the Book of Mormon, emphasizing the power of its message of love. He discusses imaginative ways to engage with scripture, such as through midrash, and highlights the importance of allowing the text to transform us. Bob's insights on the Book of Mormon's literary value and his efforts in combating child malnutrition globally make for a fascinating and inspiring conversation.

Computer scientist and entrepreneur Josh Coates discusses the survey results of active and former Latter-day Saints, highlighting two distinct belief clusters within the community. The survey integrates Moral Foundations theory, revealing differences in ethical perspectives. The conversation explores the values each cluster brings to the Church and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives.

Sarah and Josh Sabey, writers, filmmakers, and spouses, discuss their latest project adapting 50 Book of Mormon stories for children, focusing on the characters' humanity and core doctrinal principles. They explore shame, fear, and trauma in the lives of Book of Mormon characters, highlighting broader story arcs on vilification, polarization, and tribalism. The emphasis is on portraying characters as complex and relatable individuals, conveying messages of hope and unity through storytelling.