Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler
Richard Ostler
Welcome to our podcast!
My name is Richard H. Ostler and I am a native of Salt Lake City, small business owner, married father of six with several grandchildren. I believe in and am deeply committed to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and want it to work for a wider group.
I am the author of three books:
“Listen Learn and Love: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints” published in 2020 available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/5248297.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462135773)
“Listen Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture” published in 2022. The book explores who we can do better to help all Latter-day Saints feel more welcome, needed and a feeling of belonging in our congregations. Available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/6003149.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462139566)
“Listen Learn and Love: Building the Good Ship Zion” released in Sept 2023. The book explores additional topics to help all Latter-day Saint feel welcome and needed on the Good Ship Zion. Available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/6026921.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462145280)
The purpose of all three books is to help us better create Zion by helping more feel welcome, a sense of belonging, and needed in our congregations.
Proceed from the books go the Stockton Power Memorial Scholarship (www.standingforstockton.com) in honor of Stockton Powers a gay Latter-day Saint teenager who died of suicide in 2016. Everything I do is a self-funded labor of love ❤️
I am the author of two Ensign articles:
‘How the Savior’s Healing Power Applies to Repenting from Sexual Sin’ (August 2020/YSA Digital Only) www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/08/young-adults/how-the-saviors-healing-power-applies-to-repenting-from-sexual-sin
‘7 Tips for Overcoming Pornography Use’ (October, page 72) www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/10/young-adults/7-tips-for-overcoming-pornography-use.
This podcast is designed to discuss some more complicated issues in our church to help all of us better “listen, learn and love” so we can minister in a more effective way to all of our Heavenly Parents’ children.
Podcasts are indexed by category at listenlearnandlove.org/podcasts
Thank you for joining us. You can't donate to this podcast. There are no sponsors. But you can leave a review/rate the podcast on the platform you are listening and/or leave a review at Deseret Book/Amazon on my books.
With love, Richard 'Papa' Ostler ❤
Twitter: twitter.com/Papa_Ostler
IG: www.instagram.com/papa_ostler
Facebook: facebook.com/richard.ostler.5
E-mail: richard@ostlergroup.com
My name is Richard H. Ostler and I am a native of Salt Lake City, small business owner, married father of six with several grandchildren. I believe in and am deeply committed to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and want it to work for a wider group.
I am the author of three books:
“Listen Learn and Love: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints” published in 2020 available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/5248297.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462135773)
“Listen Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture” published in 2022. The book explores who we can do better to help all Latter-day Saints feel more welcome, needed and a feeling of belonging in our congregations. Available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/6003149.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462139566)
“Listen Learn and Love: Building the Good Ship Zion” released in Sept 2023. The book explores additional topics to help all Latter-day Saint feel welcome and needed on the Good Ship Zion. Available at Deseret Book (deseretbook.com/product/6026921.html) and Amazon (amazon.com/dp/1462145280)
The purpose of all three books is to help us better create Zion by helping more feel welcome, a sense of belonging, and needed in our congregations.
Proceed from the books go the Stockton Power Memorial Scholarship (www.standingforstockton.com) in honor of Stockton Powers a gay Latter-day Saint teenager who died of suicide in 2016. Everything I do is a self-funded labor of love ❤️
I am the author of two Ensign articles:
‘How the Savior’s Healing Power Applies to Repenting from Sexual Sin’ (August 2020/YSA Digital Only) www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/08/young-adults/how-the-saviors-healing-power-applies-to-repenting-from-sexual-sin
‘7 Tips for Overcoming Pornography Use’ (October, page 72) www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/10/young-adults/7-tips-for-overcoming-pornography-use.
This podcast is designed to discuss some more complicated issues in our church to help all of us better “listen, learn and love” so we can minister in a more effective way to all of our Heavenly Parents’ children.
Podcasts are indexed by category at listenlearnandlove.org/podcasts
Thank you for joining us. You can't donate to this podcast. There are no sponsors. But you can leave a review/rate the podcast on the platform you are listening and/or leave a review at Deseret Book/Amazon on my books.
With love, Richard 'Papa' Ostler ❤
Twitter: twitter.com/Papa_Ostler
IG: www.instagram.com/papa_ostler
Facebook: facebook.com/richard.ostler.5
E-mail: richard@ostlergroup.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 28, 2022 • 1h 10min
Episode 569: Anne Easton (LDS Mother); Malcolm (Gay Son).
My friend Anne Easton (active LDS mother of four) and Malcolm Easton (age 29, web development, same-sex relationship) join us to share their story. The podcast starts with Anne’s talk in her Latter-day Saint congregation about her gay son Malcolm and what we can do to better support our LGBTQ family members. It is a powerful and needed talk. Anne also talks about all the subsequent needed conversations that resulted from her talk. It is a beautiful example of better creating Zion.
Malcolm talks about deciding to attend church that day and the healing experience it was for him to hear his mother talk about him in such a positive way and the kind responses from ward members.
Malcolm then shares his story including dealing with the anger and pain he felt towards the Church and how he got over that anger and is now in a place of greater peace. He talks about his loving and supportive family and how that has helped him move forward. He also shares his hope for more peace and understanding in the world and his kind thoughts back towards the church of his youth. It is a remarkable segment of grace.
If you are looking for a ‘real-life’ family love story, please listen to this podcast. Anne and Malcolm—in a very real way—help bring us together as the same human family.
Thank you, Anne and Malcolm, for being on the podcast. Honored to provide a platform for more to hear your story.
** Please Check Out My LGBTQ Book At: **
Deseret Book: www.deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1462135773
** Want to develop church-supported LGBTQ activities in your local area? Please join our FB group below **
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143
Sep 25, 2022 • 27min
Episode 568: Aubrey and Tim Chaves: Upcoming Faith Matters Conference on Oct 7-8
My friends Aubrey and Tim Chaves join us to talk about “Restore: A Faith Matters Gathering” on October 7-8 in Salt Lake City. In this episode they talk about the purpose of the conference, who is speaking, who is performing, and who is invited to this groundbreaking inaugural event.
For more information and to register, please go to https://faithmatters.regfox.com/restore
Also, Faith Matters is offering a discount to Listen, Learn and Love listeners. Please enter LISTEN when registering.
Thank you to everyone at Faith Matters for your efforts to make this conference possible and all the good you are doing in our community.
I encourage everyone to check out this event, consider attending, and share it with others. I plan to be there with you.
Sep 22, 2022 • 1h 18min
Episode 567: Ben Delmoe, OCD
Our long-time family friend Ben Delmoe (married father of three, active LDS, age 31) joins us to share his story with OCD. Ben starts with how undiagnosed OCD ended his MTC experience causing him to return home. After 13 months, Ben returned and completed his mission pushing through OCD without full understanding of his mental illness.
Ben shares several examples of how he coped with OCD—without having the tools (exposure response therapy)—to fully learn how to live with OCD.
Ben, who has been married for over 7 years, talks about how he realized a couple of years ago that he needed to fully address his OCD (instead of pushing through) and how that led him on a path of understanding and healing. It’s a brave and remarkable story. And a beautiful love story with his dear wife Anny.
If you feel you might have OCD and dealing with it by seeking reassurance, please listen to Ben’s story. It is ERP—not constant reassurance—that is the path to healing and moving forward. And if you are working to help others, please listen to Ben’s story.
In the podcast, Ben encourages you to also listen to Noah Walker’s podcast (episode 557).
Thank you, Ben, for sharing your story. Respect. It will help so many.
Sep 19, 2022 • 1h 12min
Episode 566: Richard Ostler Conversation with Younger Unmarried LGBTQ Latter-Say Saints
This is a solo podcast for my younger unmarried LGBTQ Latter-day Saints friends—including a segment for transgender Latter-day Saints. This recaps the general principles and advice I give to younger unmarried LGBTQ Latter-day Saints. I hope and pray this is helpful. Much love, Richard
Links mentioned in the podcast:
Facebook Group to Minster to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143
Elder Rasband quote on doctine: https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/9/1/23218781/elder-rasband-finding-answers-to-questions-california-institute-devotional
Richard Ostler’s LGBTQ Book: deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints and amazon.com/dp/1462135773
Free download of Chapter 7 about Ministering to LGBTQ Latter-day Saint from Richard Ostler's LGBTQ book: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0tpa24d5exiabd5/Chapter%207%2C%20Ministering%20To%20LGBTQ%20Latter-Day%20Saints.pdf?dl=0
Sep 16, 2022 • 1h 5min
Episode 565: Suzette Halterman, Mixed-Faith Marriages
My friend Suzette Ward Halterman (relationship and couples coach specializing in LDS mixed-faith marriages) joins us to talk about how to keep marriages and families strong and together when different perspectives and beliefs enter the relationship.
Suzette shares how those differences can be a good thing as it deepens emotional connection to create a better relationship.
If you are in relationships which started out with sameness, but now have differences—please listen to this podcast. Suzette (who has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy) has tools to help you. And if you want to help others, please listen to this podcast.
I learned much listening to Suzette and believe you will find nuggets in the podcast to help you. Thank you Suzette for being on the podast and your good work.
You can find Suzette on Instagram @suzettehalterman and at suzettehaltermancoaching.com
** Please Check Out My New Book called "Listen, Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture" Chapter 10 is on Ministering to those with questions **
Sep 14, 2022 • 1h 5min
Episode 564: Shawn Moon, LDS Author, Leadership
My friend Shawn Moon (noted writer, business leader and community member) joins us to talk about his new book called Learning Leadership From the Scriptures: 12 Practices for Building Leadership Effectiveness Based on Timeless and Eternal Principles.
The book is available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Leadership-Scriptures-Effectiveness-Principles/dp/1462142931/
Shawn talks about how to apply principles of leadership in our personal life (chapters 5-8); in our family (chapters 9-12) and in our calling (chapters 13-16). Shawn also talks about how Jesus is the perfect leader.
I encourage everyone to listen to this podcast and read his book. It will give you new insights into gospel principles to help you in your life and in your circle of influence.
Sep 10, 2022 • 1h 5min
Episode 563: Mark Morgan, Long-Term Recovery From Addiction
My high school friend Mark “Mini” Morgan joins us to talk about his journey into and then out of addiction. Mark bravely shared his story in this June 8, 2022, Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/mark.morgan.5439/posts/pfbid02ToW5aoKvuKzohpyCMd2CJqhgd3jXWGGu11AmEGWFVJigTxmocEGLueZByd6FjjHil
In this post Mark writes: “21 years ago, today my life was at rock bottom. Arrested for a second time with a whopping .62 cents to my name and homeless. Estrangement and despair come to mind. Divorce, heartbreak, disappointments, and darkness all seemed relevant back then. Today, I am a person in long term recovery.”
Mark is now in a good place and works Valley Behavior Health as a licensed substance use disorder counselor. In his work, Mark is able to help others to recovery.
If you are working to address and solve addiction, Mark’s story will help you. And if you are working to help others, perhaps Mark’s insights will be helpful.
Thank you Mark for being on the podcast. You have my continued love, support and respect. Just like during our high school days, you continue to bring light, unity, connection, and hope.
Sep 7, 2022 • 1h 9min
Episode 562: Jody England Hansen, Navigating Dissonance and Paradox
My friend Jody England Hansen (married mother of three, active Latter-day Saint) shares her story growing up in family that valued critical thinking, activism, looking out for the most marginalized and moving forward with the complexities/beauties of being a Latter-day Saints.
Jody also shares insights about her father, Eugene England, who was one of the most influential Latter-day Saints in our lifetime. Two biographies about Eugene England were published in 2021:
Eugene England: A Mormon Liberal by Kristine Haglund: https://www.amazon.com/Eugene-England-Liberal-Introductions-Thought/dp/0252086007
Stretching the Heavens: The Life of Eugene England and the Crisis of Modern Mormonism by Terryl Givens: https://www.amazon.com/Stretching-Heavens-Eugene-England-Mormonism/dp/B09NMQ43M3/
You can read more about Eugene England and his work at https://www.eugeneengland.org/
If you are looking for tools to move forward as a Latter-day Saint with the dissonance/paradox that can be part of your journey, please listen to Jody’s insights. She has a long view of being on this road and has remarkable insights to help you.
Thank you, Jody, for being on the podcast. Your soft heart, gospel insights, and love for all of our Heavenly Parents’ children is deeply moving to me. Thank you for your beautiful life ministry.
Sep 4, 2022 • 36min
Episode 561: Affirmation’s International Conference Church Leaders Sessions: October 8th
My friends Tyler Lefevor, Cynthia and Paul Winward join us to share about and invite listeners to the church leader sessions at Affirmation’s International Conference (attend in-person or virtual). If you register, you view and discuss the church leader sessions later as each session is recorded.
Here are links mentioned in the podcast:
Affirmation conference overview: https://affirmation.org/events/55412/
Affirmation signup (free for church leaders): https://affirmation.org/event-registration/?eventid=55412
Tyler Lefevor church leader survey: https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZhMEAFxcoHFvrE
At Last She Said It Podcast: https://atlastshesaidit.org/
Thank you, Tyler, Cynthia, Paul and all involved in Affirmation to better support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints.
Sep 1, 2022 • 1h 11min
Episode 560: David Cook, Latter-day Saint Democrat
My friend David Cook joins us to share his journey as a life-long Democrat. David isn’t on the podcast to recruit for new Democrats, but rather to help create space in our congregations for different political perspectives to be welcomed and valued.
David, who has been on this road his whole life, has the long view for younger liberal Latter-day Saints looking for voices and their needed perspectives. David shares his own journey (including a commitment to civil rights for over 35 years and putting politics aside during his church service) and suggestions for younger Latter-day Saints in their sometimes-difficult journey about where we are as a Church on issues close to their hearts.
If you are a politically liberal Latter-day Saint, David’s podcast will help you. If you are not a liberal Latter-day Saint, perhaps David’s podcast will also help you and give you added tools and insights to help create Zion—where we bring our differences together so our “hearts are knit together as one.”
Thank you, David, for being on the podcast. Your words and insights helped me. Thank you for all your work in many circles.
** Please Check Out My New Book called "Listen, Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture" David wrote Chapter 9 **
Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-love
Amazon: amazon.com/dp/1462139566


