Mormon Stories Podcast

Today we welcome on Randy Bell, well known expert on real estate damages and friend of the podcast on to hear his Mormon Story. Raised in Fullerton, CA, we discuss Randy’s relationship with the Fender family, the effects of his profession on his Mormon faith including stories about how the Pulse Night Club shooting transformed his LGBTQ beliefs. In part 2 we dig deeper and discuss Randy’s incredible, thoughtful journey from Mormonism to Progressive Christianity. ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— Show Notes: Randy’s wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randall_Bell Link to youtube viewers poll: https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonStoriesPodcast/community Shawn McCrany’s church: https://hotm.faith/ Rick Warren church: https://pastorrick.com Carah’s Mormon Stories interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW1uWu_DnPc Pulse Night Club: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_nightclub_shooting OJ Simpsons Made in America: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5275892/ OJ Simpson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson Todd Compton - In Sacred Loneliness: http://www.toddmcompton.com/ Gospel Topic Essay on Polygamy: https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng Year of Polygamy: https://www.yearofpolygamy.com/ Steven Hassan: https://www.amazon.com/Steven-Hassan/e/B000APQYV4%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Sunstone: https://sunstone.org/ Simon Southerton interview: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/rod-meldrums-heartland-model/ Joseph Smith Criminal Record: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smith_and_the_criminal_justice_system#Chronology_of_charges Laura Roper Andreasen interview: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/laura-roper-andreasen-granddaughter-m-russell-ballard/ Randy’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Post-Traumatic-Thriving-Randall-Bell-PhD/dp/0996793178 A Thoughtful Faith Podcast by Gina Colvin: https://www.athoughtfulfaith.org  Bill Reel Mormon Discussions Podcast: https://mdpodcast.org  Johnathan Streeter - Thoughts on things and stuff: https://thoughtsonthingsandstuff.com/ Radio Free Mormon: https://radiofreemormon.org  Sandra Tanner  - https://youtu.be/W64Ntsea6uw Mormon Sex Info - Natasha Helfer: https://mormonsex.info/about/  Real Estate Damages: An Analysis of Detrimental Conditions Textbook: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Estate-Damages-Detrimental-Conditions/dp/0922154554  Me We Do Be: The Four Cornerstones of Success by Randall Bell, PhD: https://www.amazon.com/Me-We-Do-Be-Cornerstones/dp/0996793119  Leo Fender: The Quiet Giant Heart Around the World by Phyllis Fender & Randall Bell, PhD: https://www.amazon.com/Leo-Fender-Quiet-Giant-Around/dp/0996793143  Post-Traumatic Thriving by Randall Bell, PhD: https://www.amazon.com/Post-Traumatic-Thriving-Randall-Bell-PhD/dp/0996793178

Mormon Stories listeners are in for a treat today as we’re joined by Mark Phillips and his daughter Zelle as they share their family’s fascinating Mormon journey. Mark is a clinical and counseling psychologist by profession who has spent part of his career working in LDS Family Services and was first inspired on his mission as a trainer to become a psychologist when working with difficult companions. Zelle discusses with us what it was like as a missionary during Covid, coming home early, coming out to her family, and coming into her own authentic self. A few of the themes we cover in this episode are around how growing up in the US Midwest and South shapes Mormon experiences, focusing on what’s inside instead of outside appearances, and coming to terms with Mormon truth claims as a family. We know you’ll love this amazing father-daughter duo and enjoy listening to Carah as host and Gerardo as co-host on this episode! Show Notes: Mark's Facebook post explaining why they left the church Thrive Unite Mormon Stories interview with Gerardo Sumano Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmadge "The case of a fallen mission president: When the Mormon Church promptly removed a leader who 'deceived and victimized' young female missionaries," by Peggy Fletcher-Stack, Salt Lake Tribune, April 26, 2018 Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman Saints Vol.1 published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Joseph Smith Papers March 2021 Africa Area Devotional, in which Jeffrey Holland inadvertently admits that the rest of the world is always ahead of the Church "Be One: A Celebration of the Revelation on the Priesthood," the Church's June 2018 celebration on the 40th anniversary of letting black people in the temple "Issues and Ideas Leading People Away from the Gospel," a 2015 proprietary Church graphic released by MormonLeaks "The Ally Within," John Dehlin's TED Talk ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! *MormonStories@gmail.com *PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

After 16 years of podcasting, John has seen a few highs and lows. With transparency for our supporters in mind, John is joined by Mormon Stories co-host and producer Carah Burrell to discuss what they love and hate about podcasting in this space. Show Notes: Mormon Stories response to Jacob Hess part 1 Please support Bill and RFM! Mormonism LIVE! 021: Sexual Allegation Against John Dehlin Goes Down In Flames Carah’s TikTok Please support Lost and Found Club Please support Sunstone! Please support Johnathan Streeter - Thoughts on things and stuff Please support Zelph on the Shelf! ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! *MormonStories@gmail.com *PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join us live for a discussion with Margi and John about alternative approaches to New Year's Resolutions. ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— Show Notes: Thrive Unite Thrive St. George A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle "Small Things Often" podcast by John and Julie Gottman The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert by John M. Gottman Ana Mardoll's Instagram "Secular Buddhism" by Noah Rasheta "Christmas After a Mormon Faith Crisis" with Margi Dehlin Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples by Harville Hendrix Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed Untamed by Glennon Doyle The Awakened Family: How to Raise, Empowered, Resilient, and Conscious Children by Shefali Tsabary The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children by Shefali Tsabary Out of Control: Why Disciplining Your Child Doesn't Work and What Will by Shefali Tsabary One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg "The Hidden Brain" podcast Relationship Intelligence by Esther Perel Flourish Therapy (Utah-specific) LGBTQ+-Affirmative Therapist Guild (Utah chapter of nationwide guild) Symmetry Solutions Margi Dehlin blog and life coaching

Answering follow-up questions from the Salt Lake Tribune about the Open Stories Foundation and THRIVE given to us by Peggy Fletcher Stack and Tony Semerad. ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— Show Notes: Thrive Unite Mormon Stories Transparency Q&A in response to the Salt Lake Tribune Forms 990 Open Stories Foundation Forms 990 Thrive Foundation, Inc. "LDS Personal Faith Crisis," a leaked proprietary Church document prepared for Dieter Uchtdorf in 2013 about why members are losing their faith and leaving the Church "Come Join With Us," Dieter Uchtdorf, October 2013 Jeffrey R. Holland's "Musket Fire" talk at BYU, August 2021 Dallin H. Oaks lies about LGBTQ students at BYU being subjected to electroshock and vomiting aversion The "Mormon British Rescue" The Next Mormons: How Millennials are Changing the LDS Church by Jana Reiss The Gospel Topics Essays The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement by Matthew L. Harris Mormon Stories interview with Matt Harris John Dehlin and Hans Mattson discuss the Gospel Topics Essays on The Line Why Mormons Question "Letter to an IRS Director," by Lars Nielsen Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, published by the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints LDS Discussions Annotation of Saints Mormon Stories interview with Roger Hendrix Ex-Mormon Reddit Mormonism Live with Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon Year of Polygamy podcast Mormon Mental Health podcast The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis Mormons on Mushrooms Zelph on the Shelf Nemo the Mormon Jordan and McKay Ex-Mo Lex Mormon Mental Health Association Utah Valley PostMormons Faith Journey Meetups Women of a Certain Age MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! *MormonStories@gmail.com *PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Wrapping up Gerald and Makenzie’s Mormon story, we talk in-depth about how their desire to raise healthy children changed their views on Mormon teachings as well as Gerald’s possible regrets around his baptism. Thanks for joining us on this epic three-part interview with the Benzi’s! Show Notes: Talking with the Benzis podcast by Makenzie and Gerald Makenzie's Instagram Makenzie's lifecoaching and speech therapy The CES Letter The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis Untamed by Glennon Doyle Brene Brown ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! *MormonStories@gmail.com *PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

In part 2 of Makenzie and Gerald’s Mormon Story, we dive into Makenzie’s life, what it was like with interracial parents, reconciling racist past church teachings, and studying under Mormon Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein. Among some of the topics we cover are gender disparities in the church, dating and temple marriage, and becoming a nuanced believer. Come back for part 3 as we wrap up Gerald and Makenzie’s Mormon Story and we hope you love this amazing couple as much as we do! Show Notes: Talking with the Benzis podcast by Makenzie and Gerald Makenzie's Instagram Makenzie's lifecoaching and speech therapy The CES Letter The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis Untamed by Glennon Doyle Brene Brown ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! *MormonStories@gmail.com *PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Mormon Stories is proud to welcome our first Mormon convert from Zimbabwe, Gerald Benzi, and his wife Makenzie Benzi to the podcast for an epic three part series of their story. In part one, we discuss Gerarld’s life being raised in Zimbabwe, what it was like moving to the US, and deciding to take religion seriously and taking the missionary discussions. Among some of the topics we cover are gender roles, racism, and whether or not missionaries target immigrants. Please join us for this three part series to also learn about Makenzie and how their faith as a couple progressed through the years. Show Notes: Talking with the Benzis podcast by Makenzie and Gerald Makenzie's Instagram Makenzie's lifecoaching and speech therapy The CES Letter The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis Untamed by Glennon Doyle Brene Brown ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord   Contact Us! *MormonStories@gmail.com *PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join John and Carah at 10am mst for a special live interview with Austin Archer as we discuss the Mormon to alcoholic pipeline, sobriety, and his success on TikTok. Follow Austin @yourpal_austin on TikTok ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— Show Notes: Mindhunter on Netflix AA “the big book” AA website Alanon “The Night Clerk” movie Me and Me Comedy Instagram channel  TikTok Cringe subreddit London Laz on TikTok Austin video about vaccines and “the test answers” “The Righteous Mind” book

Join John and Carah for a special live interview with Austin Archer as we discuss the Mormon to alcoholic pipeline, sobriety, and his success on TikTok. Follow Austin @yourpal_austin on TikTok ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— Show Notes: Clark Johnsen MS Interview Nan McCulloch MS interview Tyler Glenn MS interview Wayne Sermon MS interview Jebediah Springfield Simpsons episode King Richard Prophet’s Prey documentary “Doubt your doubts” conference talk "Anti-mormon Literature: Essays They Warned You About" by Christopher Shenefelt Turtleneck and Blazer tiktok from Austin