Mormon Stories Podcast

Join Dr. John Turner, a George Mason University professor and historian specializing in American religious history, as he tackles the complexities of Joseph Smith's life. He discusses the evolution of Mormon leadership, contrasting Smith with Brigham Young's humorous style. Turner highlights the significance of diverse interpretations in historical narratives and reflects on Lucy Mack Smith's autobiography. Delving into Joseph's family dynamics and influences, he emphasizes how these shaped his spiritual journey and the early Mormon narrative, all while advocating for greater transparency in scholarship.

Katherine Bernard (KB) Olsen is a never-mo (never Mormon) — but also one of the most devoted fans of Mormon Stories Podcast. A queer, secular journalist with deep Jewish roots and a high-fashion pedigree, Katherine has spent over 20 years captivated by the LDS Church — despite never being religious herself. In her first-ever full-length interview about her life story, she opens up about her lifelong curiosity with Mormonism, identity, belief, and American culture.KB's impressive journalism career includes work at Vogue, New York Times, and other top-tier New York publications. After moving from Maryland to attend NYU for journalism, she found herself drawn not only to art and culture — but also to spirituality, history, and the paradoxes of organized religion. Over the years, her interest in Mormonism became a deep and serious intellectual pursuit.What You'll Hear in This Interview:-Her upbringing in a secular household in Maryland-Her exploration of Jewish identity and eventual conversion-Her first exposure to Mormonism through South Park, Big Love, and The Book of Mormon musical-Her emotional journey coming out as gay in a non-supportive environment-Her reflections on shame, logic, identity, and community-Her nuanced take on Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Mormon reality TV-Her insights into conditioning, religious extremism, and spiritual seekingThis episode is a masterclass in curiosity — how someone with no personal ties to the LDS Church became one of its most thoughtful outside observers. KB explores Mormonism not as a critic or a believer, but as a seeker with a journalist’s eye.___________________YouTubeShow NotesMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠Our Platforms:⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Social Media:⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join Natasha Helfer, Chelsea Homer, and Alyssa Witbeck as we review Episodes 1-4 of Season 2 of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives...where we answer the questions: What is Mormon soft swinging, and is that really a thing?___________________Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Please join us Thursday evening at 6pm Utah time for a call-in show discussing the topic of "Are Mormons Christian?"This is part 2 of a weekly call-in show format that we are experimenting with.___________________Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Jennie Latham Johnson, a former Mormon raised in a strict household, shares her journey of breaking free from expectations while navigating profound loss. She opens up about the heart-wrenching experience of losing her daughter Izzy and how that trauma reshaped her views on faith and spirituality. Jennie discusses the toll of purity culture, her evolving beliefs, and the pursuit of healing and resilience amid grief. Her story is one of love, transformation, and the courage to redefine personal identity.

Neal Rackleff, a former LDS bishop and attorney, along with his wife Christa, a former Relief Society president, share their compelling journey of faith alongside their daughter Eve, who faced a faith crisis in their multi-generational Mormon household. They discuss the emotional toll of unresolved questions and historical church issues, how Eve's struggles led to their own deconstruction of beliefs, and the challenges of remaining connected amidst faith transitions. Their candid dialogue reflects on the complexities of leaving a high-demand religion and finding joy in newfound freedom.

Carah Burrell, a former Mormon missionary and the creative force behind the Nuance Hoe YouTube channel, joins John Dehlin to unpack the complexities of Joseph Smith's legacy. They dive into the invasive topic of polygamy, exposing hidden truths about Smith's marriages and the emotional fallout for followers. The discussion reveals the struggles of questioning deep-seated beliefs and the significance of transparency in faith. Carah's firsthand insights provide a unique lens into the evolving perceptions of church history and personal journeys of belief.

Join us for our first live video call-in show! The topic: "What do Mormons Believe About God?"We will be briefly reviewing my essay that can be found here: https://johndehlin.substack.com/p/what-do-mormons-believe-about-godThen we would love some of our audience to join us to discuss any of the following topics:What they were taught as Mormons about God.What they think about the Mormon version of God.What they believe about God.We will be joined by dear friends Kolby and Cam Reddish.___________________Show Notes⁠⁠YouTube ⁠Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Justine Jalaff is a Canadian ex-Mormon, sharing her heartfelt journey of faith crisis and healing. Ben Jalaff, her husband, provides insight into his Venezuelan roots and migration to Canada. Together, they discuss the emotional rollercoaster of early marriage, financial strains, and navigating gender roles within a faith-based context. They reflect on the pressure of conforming to societal expectations, the complexities of motherhood, and their quest for personal identity post-Mormonism. Their plea for empathy highlights the need for understanding amidst evolving beliefs.

In this episode, Ben and Justine share their powerful and emotional journeys through Mormonism, immigration, family trauma, and healing. They discuss Ben's family's escape from political turmoil, their struggles with loss, and the lure of the Mormon doctrine of eternal families.Ben faces racial and cultural challenges within the Church, battles self-worth issues, and grapples with the harm purity culture and missionary service caused.Justine recounts her own upbringing in a strict Mormon household, the pressure of modesty culture, and the way Mormon ideals shaped her relationships and sense of self. Together, they reflect on how they met, the impact of internalized racism, and their path toward authenticity, healing, and love — even as they confront the pain Mormonism left behind.This is part 1 of a very special two-part Mormon Stories interview.___________________Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord