Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler

Episodes

Mentioned books

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Aug 29, 2022 • 1h 12min

Episode 559: David Butler, Co-Host of “Don’t Miss This” Podcast, LDS Speaker and Author

My friend David Butler joins us to talk about the beautiful doctrine of our restored Church and how it applied to our lives. David also shares a gospel principles framework to manage the complexities of life’s questions. David also shares how our Heavenly Father will always be there to help and support us and the role of Jesus in our lives. If you are looking for a steady gospel voice to give you hope, perspective and more tools to make you way forward as a Latter-day Saint please listen to this episode. And if you want more tools to help others, David’s insights will help you. And please check out David Butler and Emily Belle Freeman’s Come Follow Me YouTube/Podcast called “Don’t Miss This” at dontmissthisstudy.com. And please follow David on Instagram @mrdavebutter for inspirational and hopeful messages. Thank you, Dave, for your needed and wonderful work in our Latter-day Saint community. You are blessing many lives!
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Aug 26, 2022 • 1h 14min

Episode 558: Preston Jenkins, New Book “This Boy and His Mother”

My friend Preston Jenkins (who was on Episode 237) joins us to talk about his new book, “This Boy and His Mother: Healing from Trauma as a Gay Latter-day Saint.” The book talks about how Preston found hope and healing through Christ after sexual and emotional abuse during his mission. The abuse resulted in PTSD and would be triggered by things related to The Church (such as reading scriptures). Preston talks about how he and his mother addressed, worked through, and solved this trauma with guiding help from the Godhead. If you have experienced church-generated pain and/or trauma, this book and podcast will help you. For Preston, this isn’t theoretical, but a real-life application of the doctrine of Christ and therapy to heal. Preston has a powerful understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal our hearts and souls and his story will help you. Preston is joined on the podcast with his new bride, Taryn (married January 2022). They talk about their beautiful and authentic love story, being open and honest about everything in their lives, and answer typical questions they receive as a couple in a mixed-orientation marriage. I was deeply moved to hear their story. Please listen to this podcast. It will help you and give you better tools to help others. It is a real-life application of the doctrine of Christ. Thank you, Preston and Taryn, for being on the podcast. Thank you for your courage, faith, and vulnerability. You two are awesome. Thanks for helping so many by sharing your story. Links: Paperback or Kindle Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B57V2P14/ Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/This-Boy-and-His-Mother-Audiobook/B0BB3DZ7BM Cover artist’s Instagram: @hymalayah (Hyrum Thompson) Cover artist’s website: society6.com/hymalayahart Sit Down with Sky and Preston Instagram: @Sitdownwithsky Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sit-down-with-sky-preston/id1574970502 You can reach Preston at: thisisprestonjenkins@gmail.com
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Aug 23, 2022 • 1h 8min

Episode 557: Noah Walker, OCD Subsets

My friend Noah Walker (age 20, active LDS, college student) shares his story with OCD with a focus on some of the “taboo” subsets including harm OCD and pedophilic OCD. Noah talks about egosyntonic (line up with values) and egodystonic (don’t line up with values)—a critical difference in understanding these subsets. Noah also talks about this path to hope and healing—and how he pulled out of feeling suicidal. Noah also talks about Alma’s seed experiment and how this applies to his journey. Noah concludes with seeing God’s hand in the whole process. If you are working to understand and solve OCD, Noah’s podcast will help you. If you want better tools to help others, Noah’s story and insight will help you. Thank you, Noah, for sharing your story. It will help so many. You are a good man. You can find Noah on Instagram @noahwalker0315 ** Please Check Out My New Book (Listen, Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture; link below) which has a chapter on this subject ** Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-love Amazon: amazon.com/dp/1462139566
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Aug 20, 2022 • 1h 14min

Episode 556: Dr. Matthew Wickman, BYU Professor, Wonderful New Book

My friend Dr. Matthew Wickman (BYU Professor of English and Founding Director, Emeritus, of the BYU Humanities Center) joins us to talk about his new book called “Life to the Whole Being, The Spiritual Memoir of a Literature Professor”. The great book (published by the BYU Maxwell Institute) is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Whole-Being-Spiritual-Literature/dp/0842500618/ In the podcast, Dr. Wickman tells us why he wrote the book, who is hopes will read it and how he hopes it will help readers. If you are in a faith crisis, wondering where God is in the complexities of mortality, want to develop more faith and/or want better tools to help others, this book/podcast will help you. If you have loved ones no longer in the Church, this podcast will help you feel more peace. I was deeply moved during the podcast with Dr. Wickman’s wonderful insights and soft heart. I feel more peace and have more hope. Thank you, Matt, for being on the podcast and your great and needed work in our faith community. I encourage everyone to read your book.
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Aug 17, 2022 • 56min

Episode 555: Renee Davis, Convert, Returning to Being Active

My friend Renee Davis (married mother of two, CPA, lives in Knoxville TN) joins us to share her story. Renee starts with her remarkable conversation story into the Church about 30 years ago—with many people in her life against her decision. Renee also talks about her Patriarchal blessing helping her to better understand her future. Renee shares being kind and supportive to gay people in her life and their impact for good in society and in her life. At the end of the podcast, she shares a deeply moving song her friend Levi wrote called “Stained Glass Window”. Renee has felt like a “fringe member” and is also someone who at times is a “foyer sitter”. But as we listen to Renee’s story, I believe we are hearing from someone deeply committed to the Gospel and being like Jesus. If you feel like a “fringe member” who may not belong at Church, please listen to Renee’s story. It will help you. And if you want to do a better job of helping everyone feel welcome, needed, and have a sense of belonging in our Church, please listen to Renee’s story. Thank you, Renee, for being on the podcast. You are a remarkable woman blessing many lives! ** Please Check Out My New Book (Listen, Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture; link below) ** Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-love Amazon: amazon.com/dp/1462139566
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Aug 14, 2022 • 1h 9min

Episode 554: Gene Grant, Life-Long Liberal Latter-day Saint

My friend Gene Grant (late 60s, served two missions, married father of four, former Mayor, Attorney ) shares his sometimes-painful journey as a liberal Latter-day Saint. Gene has the long view of being on this road and has seen a lot of positive change and improvements. He has also had some very difficult experiences—including the threat (after his second mission) of having his temple privileges removed. If you are a liberal Latter-day Saint looking for tools, perspectives, and reasons to stay in the Church—this podcast will help you. And if you are a conservative leader/member looking to build Zion where we are stronger using our diversity to bless and lift others, this podcast will help you. This is not a podcast to change your political views—rather Gene sharing his 5 decades of experience to help us better love, see and support each other as Latter-day Saints working to Gather Israel and build Zion. Thank you, Gene, for being on the podcast. Your story personally blessed and help me and will do the same for many others! ** Please Check Out My New Book (Listen, Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture; link below) which has a chapter on this subject ** Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-love Amazon: amazon.com/dp/1462139566
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Aug 11, 2022 • 1h 39min

Episode 553: Dr. Scott Baldwin, BYU Professor, Early-Release Missionary

My friend Scott Baldwin (BYU Professor, Clinical Psychology, Married Father of 5) shares the experience of his mission in 1997 ending after 8 days. Scott talks about the shame and sadness he felt leaving the MTC and not completing a mission. Now 25 years from that experience, Scott shares insights, principles, and perspectives to help other early-release missionaries feel hope in the moment and for their future. Scott’s wife Autumn joins us to share why she married Scott and loves this part of his journey because of the his gifts and Christlike attributes to help others. If you are an early-release missionary, this podcast will help you as Scott has the long-view of this road. And if you are a local leader, parent or friend, please listen to this podcast to help the current (or future) early-release missionaries in your circle. Thank you, Scott, for sharing your story—along with your academic and clinical insights into this space. Combining all those perspectives helps us better support early-release missionaries. Honored to have you on the podcast! References: Dr. Burden-Stelly resilience quote is at: https://twitter.com/blackleftaf/status/1539737405091110912 Dr. Scott Baldwin’s clinical practice is at: https://scott-baldwin.clientsecure.me ** Please Check Out My New Book (Listen, Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture; link below) which has a chapter on this subject ** Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-love Amazon: amazon.com/dp/1462139566
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Aug 8, 2022 • 1h 20min

Episode 552: Deeanna Chappell Price, Gay High School Boyfriend Ryan, Died May 2022

My friend Deeanna (divorced, mother of 4, active LDS) joins us to share growing up in a rural community in the 1990s with her dear best friend/boyfriend Ryan. It is a beautiful high school romance—but one that Ryan seemed to know wouldn’t work long-term and Deeanna came to understand and accept. Deeanna talks about Ryan’s support during High School and her mission—but how they started to separate when Ryan stepped away from the Church. Deeanna talks about learning Ryan was gay and how their relationship stayed strong as they got on with their respective lives. It is a beautiful love story—one that is very different than Deeanna envisioned in High School. Deeanna shares her Facebook post when she learned that Ryan died. The podcast concludes with Deeanna’s talk at Ryan's graveside service. Thank you, Deeanna, for being on the podcast. Your story honors Ryan and helps bring us together as the same human family. ** 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
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Aug 5, 2022 • 1h 9min

Episode 551: Justin Traasdahl, Gay, Age 34, Conversion/Reparative Therapy

My friend Justin Traasdahl (Ukraine RM, BYU Grad) joins us to bravely share his story. Justin starts with opening up at age 13 to his parents about possibly being gay which led to a long and painful road with conversion therapy that lasted around 15 years. Justin’s hope in sharing his story helps “change hearts and trajectories”. Around age 29, Justin went to a new LDS therapist who told him “Justin, you know reparative therapy doesn’t work, right?” Justin shares questioning conversion therapy along the way —that this is who he is—but needed to hear this from a different therapist. Justin shares the pain, trauma and betrayal of conversion/reparative therapy and his road to healing and hope. It is a remarkable story of courage. One of the reasons Justin agreed to do this podcast is to help younger queer youth and parents avoid this type of therapy which is still legal in some states. Justin, who is no longer an active Latter-day Saint, talks about his hope for the future that includes sharing his life with his future husband. In a closing segment Justin talks to his 13-year-old self using language very different than conversion therapy. It is a beautiful segment on how I feel our Heavenly Parents see all Their children. Thank you, Justin, for being on the podcast. Sharing your story helps us all do better, and you are “changing hearts and trajectories”. You are a great man and have a wonderful life ahead of you. ** 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
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Aug 2, 2022 • 1h 4min

Episode 550: Kathryn Knight Sonntag, Author “The Mother Tree”

My friend Kathryn Sonntag joins us to talk about her new book called “The Mother Tree: Discovering the Love and Wisdom of Our Divine Mother” (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XG49WH8/) published by our friends at https://faithmatters.org/. Kathryn (active LDS, mother of two, MLA in landscape architecture and environmental planning) shares her spiritual insights about “The Mother Tree” and the hope, perspective and meaning this brings into her life. I was deeply moved listening to and learning from Kathryn. Her voice and insights are so needing in our community to better create Zion which includes Mother Earth and the Divine Mother. I encourage everyone to listen to this podcast and read Kathryn’s book. Thank you, Kathryn, for being on the podcast. I hope we continue to hear your insights and perspectives—you are a wonderful gift to our faith community to bring more hope, understanding and healing. You can read more about Kathryn at https://www.kathrynknightsonntag.com/

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