Mormon Stories Podcast

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art. Important themes for this episode include: Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth. Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult. Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis. Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church. An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty). Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality. Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview. Learning to choose love over ideas. Additional Resources mentioned in the episodes: Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions. Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood. Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem." Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art. Important themes for this episode include: Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth. Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult. Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis. Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church. An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty). Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality. Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview. Learning to choose love over ideas. Additional Resources mentioned in the episodes: Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions. Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood. Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem." Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

For today’s Mormon Stories Podcast episode we interview Ryan Nielsen and Holly Parson Nielsen, who were both raised as devout Mormons in Rexburg, Idaho. After marriage, Ryan worked as full-time BYU-Idaho faculty for twelve years in the Department of Music, while Holly taught middle school art. Important themes for this episode include: Ryan's perfectionism and guilt/shame as a Mormon youth. Holly's closeted feminism as a Mormon youth and adult. Holly and Ryan learning to listen to their own inner voices, which also involved navigating a religious faith crisis. Navigating BYU-Idaho while one is full time faculty, and in a mixed-faith marriage. This story includes harassment from bishopric over maintaining continuing faculty endorsement (mostly related to Holly’s resignation from the Mormon church. An insider’s view of BYU-Idaho administration, including difficulties dealing with BYU-Idaho executives related to Title IX issues (e.g., sexual misconduct of Mormon ecclesiastical leaders towards BYU-Idaho students and faculty). Navigating and healing from religion-based depression, including suicidality. Deconstructing Mormon literalism and reconstructing a nuanced worldview. Learning to choose love over ideas. Additional Resources mentioned in the episodes: Ryan's AMAZING faith crisis/transition Reading/Podcast list can be found here, and has also been included below, after the video and audio links.  This is probably the most impressive and thoughtful resources list I've ever seen for Mormon/religious faith transitions. Holly's Art: https://www.artbyholly.com/abstract.html  -- This link goes straight to the art Holly has done related to her faith transition, and her reclamation of motherhood. Ryan's Music: http://www.ryannielsenmusic.com/music -- This link goes straight to the music portion of Ryan's website. Several pieces there are related to my faith transition, including "Prayer for Peace" and "Requiem." Support Ryan!  Ryan has written a 9 movement suite that explores his experience of a faith crisis, through the lens of the life of Elijah Abel.  It's time to get this recorded. Ryan has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.  Please support this worthy project!

The “THRIVING after Mormonism” project is an effort to profile thriving post-Mormons and progressive Mormons with the intent of providing tips, tricks, inspiration, and hope to those who are questioning and/or leaving Mormonism. If you are a newly questioning/doubting Mormon, we want you to know know that: - You are not crazy. - You are not alone. - You should not be afraid to doubt/question Mormonism. - You CAN find healing, joy, and growth beyond orthodox Mormonism. It is also a way for you to “bear testimony” of your truths and life choices as they stand today. WHO: I am looking for a set of 100 post-Mormons and progressive Mormons to interview on Mormon Stories Podcast who would consider themselves to be thriving after leaving Mormonism (or Mormon orthodoxy). Not flawless….not perfect…..just thriving. When I say thriving, I mean overall healthier and happier than when you were active in the church. HOW: I have put together 20 questions for THRIVING post-Mormons and progressive Mormons to reflect upon, and to answer. I have had numerous people tell me that the simple process of reflecting upon and answering these questions has been deeply therapeutic for them. Some have even wept joyful or grief-filled tears as they’ve gone through the process of answering the questions. I hope to release at least a few profiles a week over the next 6-12 months. Candidates for future Mormon Stories Podcast episodes will be culled from these profiles. I hope to include these profiles in an upcoming book that I hope to write entitled: THRIVING: The Gift of the Mormon Faith Crisis. Please submit your questions/answers if you are able/willing to do so!!!! I know that this project is going to help many people.

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule. Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism: Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings. She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children. She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes. Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy. Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission. Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt. After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.” Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children. Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward. This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process. You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule. Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism: Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings. She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children. She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes. Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy. Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission. Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt. After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.” Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children. Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward. This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process. You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule. Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism: Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings. She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children. She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes. Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy. Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission. Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt. After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.” Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children. Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward. This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process. You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule. Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism: Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings. She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children. She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes. Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy. Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission. Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt. After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.” Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children. Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward. This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process. You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

Periodically on Mormon Stories Podcast I try to interview “normal” or everyday Mormons about their faith journey – and in every case these “normal” Mormons turn out to be extraordinarily thoughtful and courageous. Today’s interview is no exception to this rule. Today on Mormon Stories podcast I am interviewing Kalin Orgill Organ. Aside from Kalin being a super thoughtful and courageous human, Kalin’s story includes several important themes in modern Mormonism: Kalin was raised in an orthodox Mormon home in California and in Highland, Utah – with seven siblings. She was sexually abused as a child, which possibly awakened her to her own sexuality early than other children. She began masturbating as a girl, before she even knew what the term meant.  This instigated a multi-year effort between herself, her parents, and her Mormon bishop to try to stop the behavior, and to become “worthy” in God’s eyes. Kalin “lost her virginity” as a Mormon teen, which, along with her inability to stop masturbating, only made her feel less worthy. Kalin had doubts/questions as a Mormon teen, and even listened briefly to Mormon Stories podcast PRIOR to serving her mission.  She fought hard to gain a testimony while on her mission. Over time, three of Kalin’s siblings came out to her as LGBTQ, which multiplied her confusion and doubt. After returning from a successful Mormon mission, Kalin married her husband Aaron in a Mormon temple, wherein they became to onlookers the “perfect Mormon couple.” Over time, after a lifetime of struggling to feel worthy, Kalin’s doubts began to consume her, and she began to contemplate suicide as a Mormon wife and mother of two children. Kalin is currently navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and remains an active non-literal believer in her Salt Lake City ward. This is Kalin’s story – how she lost her orthodox Mormon faith, but found herself (and her own voice) in the process. You will not be disappointed with this interview. I hope you will join us. And please spread the word if you can!

URGENT! I am currently being flooded by parents and family members of Mormon missionaries, elderly senior missionaries, patriarchs, temple workers, workers at Deseret Industries, etc. about the Mormon church's tragically inadequate response to the COVID-19 / Coronavirus outbreak. It appears as though many church leaders, mission presidents, and missionaries are seeing the Corona virus pandemic as an opportunity to corner people in their homes, with hopes of spreading the gospel. It has also come to my attention that Mormon church patriarchs, temple workers (most of whom also fit into the high risk category), and workers at Deseret Industries are still being asked to travel from home to home to give patriarchal blessings, and/or to show up at the temples or at Deseret Industries to work. Please spread the word so we can help the Mormon church keep its members safe.