Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler

Episodes

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Nov 22, 2021 • 1h 1min

Episode 480: Steve Haworth, Convert, Gay Latter-day Saint

My friend Steve Haworth, who joined the church in Sept 2020 at age 41, shares his story. Steve, who came out at age 17, has been looking for a church that provides the best path for Steve’s desire to find a home as a gay believer in Heavenly Father and Jesus. Steve shares his positive experience with his missionaries (told them he was gay early in the teaching process), why our restored doctrine resonates with him, how he is navigating being gay and LDS, and how we can better support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints. Steve has started a website at http://www.zionlgbtq.net to support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints. Thank you Steve for being on the podcast and sharing your remarkable and faith building story. You are helping us build Zion. Your story and ministry is helping many! ** Please Check Out My 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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Nov 19, 2021 • 1h 33min

Episode 479: Pedro Munoz, Convert, RM, Gay Latter-day Saint

My friend Pedro Munoz, age 35, joins us from his home in Colombia to share his remarkable story. Pedro shares knowing he was attracted to men during his teenage years, trying to date girls, and feeling broken and damaged. During this difficult years where Pedro worried if he really was gay he would be forced to live his life on the street in this life and in hell in the next life. Pedro talks about finding hope through his relationship with Heavenly Father and then finding the missionaries at age 24 where he gained a testimony of unique and hopeful doctrine that came through the restoration (especially the plan of salvation that have him purpose). A year after his baptism, Pedro served a mission in Mexico (great experience). Following his mission, Pedro shares moving to BYU-Idaho and trying to date women. That led to more feelings of being damaged and broken all while being active in the Church and attending the Temple weekly. Pedro talks about surviving a suicide attempt and then getting the clinical help that allowed him to be more honest with himself and others about his sexuality. Pedro, then talks about moving back to Colombia and feelings that he would resign his church membership. However, Pedro felt impressed to give his local Ward a try and is having a good experience including coming out to his current Bishop (very good experience). Pedro does a remarkable job on sharing his experience which includes consistently reaching out to his Heavenly Father for a path forward when he felt there was no way forward. If you are LGBTQ and want more hope for your future, please listen to Pedro’s story. It will help you. If you an ally and want to better support our LGBTQ friends, Pedro story will give you insights. Thank you my friend Pedro for being on the podcast and sharing your story. You are a great man, human and the world is a better place with you in it. Thank you for sharing your story! ** Please Check Out My 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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Nov 16, 2021 • 1h 4min

Episode 478: Brock Bevell, Solving Opioid and Pornography Addictions

My friend and podcast host Brock Bevell (married active Latter-day Saint) shares his long journey to end his pornography and opioid addictions. Brock, a retired Mesa Arizona Police Officer, shares how pornography use and then opioid use came into his life. Brock then shares the hard work (along with Christ) to put these addictions behind him. Brock is honest, direct, candid with his story --- which is full of hope and real-life principles to help others. Brock hosts a podcast called Chase the Vase (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chase-the-vase/id1543306831) with stories of others putting addictions behind them. Brock (along with Max Hall and Blu Robinson) co-host Agents of Recovery podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-agents-of-recovery-podcast/id1550462911). Please check out these podcasts. You can connect with Brock on IG at https://www.instagram.com/brockbevell/ and on FB at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014854295625. To learn more about Brock’s approach to killing your pornography addiction, check out www.striplingwarriorchallenge.com. If you are working to solve a porn or opioid addiction and may have lost hope, please listen to Brock’s podcast. He will give you tools and vision to move forward. If you are a parent of local leader working to help others, Brock’s podcast/work with help you. Thank you Brock for being on the podcast and your life mission to help others through your story. Respect for being you and your great work.
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Nov 13, 2021 • 1h 17min

Episode 477: Shayla Slaymaker, Lost Two Brothers to Suicide

My friend Shayla Slaymaker (Lawyer, Married, Age 29) shares her story about losing both her brothers to suicide. Her younger brother Chance died by suicide at age 14 in 2013, and her older brother Travis died by suicide at age 26 in 2016. Shayla, who has been on this immensely painful road for 8 years, is sharing her story in hopes of helping others who have lost a loved one to suicide. Shayla is also sharing her story to give hope and more tools/perspective for those who are struggling and may be considering suicide. If you have lost a loved one to suicide, are suicidal, or want to help someone who has lost a loved one to suicide, please listen to this podcast. It will give you tools, perspectives and ideas to help. Thank you Shayla for your courage to share your story and be on the podcast. You are helping so many!
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Nov 10, 2021 • 1h 25min

Episode 476: Eli Wood, Recent BYU-Idaho Graduate, Gay Latter-Day Saint

My friend Eli Wood shares his story for the first time publicly. Eli talks about growing up in an active Idaho LDS family and navigating his way as a gay Latter-day Saint. Eli talks about being happy but knowing he was different from other boys. Eli, who is currently a flight attendant, talks about trying to date girls and the emotional challenges of that road. Eli talks about his time at BYU-Idaho, including great experiences and very difficult experiences (hearing difficult experiences helps us do better). Here he learned part of the reason why he wasn't meant to serve a proselytizing mission and how God will use you where you are to accomplish your life mission. Eli talks about his deep, helpful and meaningful relationship with his Heavenly Parents and the personal revelation and hope he is receiving. Eli, who is planning on being a marriage and family therapist, talks about his hopes for the future and how we can better come together as the same human family. This is a powerful podcast. If you are an LGBTQ Latter-day Saint looking for hope, Eli's story will help you! If you are a parent or local leader, Eli's insights will help you--when we know better we do better. Thank you Eli for being on the podcast. You are a great man with a wonderful future. ** Please Check Out My 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: ** https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143
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Nov 7, 2021 • 1h 7min

Episode 475: Stephanie Snell Povey, Active LDS Mother of Gay Daughter

My friend Stephanie Povey (married mother of three daughters and two granddaughters) joins us to share her story. Stephanie starts with her own childhood and not fitting the cultural norms while growing up in a small Utah town. She was called a "tomboy" because she wanted to take part in activities that were considered only for boys. Being told she couldn't and shouldn't want to, led to feelings of shame and not belonging. Stephanie reveals some of her personal "anchoring experiences" that allowed her to find her way forward. She is sharing her story in her upcoming book entitled, "You Can't Play, You're a Girl". Stephanie goes on to tell the story of her gay daughter Hannah, who came out to her six years ago at age16 who now at age 22 has a steady girlfriend. Stephanie talks about what she is learning, the personal growth she has experienced and insights of being a parent of a gay daughter. She and her husband Reed are deeply committed to both the church and keeping their family circle strong and together. Stephanie has shared her story on her sister Tammy Hill's website who is a LFMT at https://www.tammyhill.com/responding-to-your-childs-coming-out/ If you are a parents of a LGBTQ child, please listen to this podcast. Stephanie’s message will fill your heart with peace and hope. This podcast will also help you better love and support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and be a better disciple of Christ. Thank you Stephanie for being on the podcast and your steady/faith filled voice. The Povey family is awesome. ** Please Check Out My 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: ** https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143
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Nov 5, 2021 • 56min

Episode 474: Wes Haws

My friend Wes Haws shares his story. Wes talks about coming out as gay after serving a mission to his future wife. They decided to get married and that marriage lasted 11 years. During these years, Wes survived a brutal attached in Ethiopia which resulted in difficult health and financial challenges. Wes rebuilt his career and now owns Blue Zoon (https://bluezoo.us/). Wes also talks about finding a way to move forward and the work he has done (including therapy) to accept and love himself. Wes talks about how/why his married ended and his subsequent excommunication (positive and loving experience for Wes). Wes talks about his hopes for the future and his respect and support for all path that LGBTQ Latter-day Saints take. Wes also talks about being your best personal self before deciding the best path if you are LGBTQ and LDS. Thank you for being on the podcast Wes. I think it helps LGBTQ Latter-day Saints to hear a variety of stories. I invite each LGBTQ Latter-day Saint to write their own story—and hearing a variety of stories provides principles and insights to better write your story. You are a good man Wes doing your best on a complicated road. Thanks for sharing your story. It helps bring us together as the same human family.
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Nov 2, 2021 • 1h 15min

Episode 473: Meghan Peters Decker, Age 60, Gay Latter-day Saint

My friend Meghan Decker(from High School) shares her story as a gay Latter-day Saint. Meghan and her husband David are the parents of 5 daughters and 15 grandchildren. Meghan is active in the Church and is a wonderful marriage. Meghan shares her journey to come out to herself and then her husband and family in her 50’s. Meghan talks about how coming out reduced shame, helped her be authentic and improved her emotional health. Meghan shares how her marriage works, why she decided to come out, her family response, and her relationship with the Church. Meghan wrote Reaching for Hope: An LDS Perspective on Recovering from Depression 22 years ago. She is releasing a new book in April 2022 called Tender Leaves of Hope: Finding Belonging as LGBTQ Latter-day Saint Women, which shares her experience as a gay women in the Church and also includes insights from 40 other gay or bisexual LDS women. You can find her website at meghandecker.com Meghan's story is unique because of her long-view of so many aspects of being LDS and LGBTQ, including being grounded in her relationship with her Heavenly Father and the Savior. If you are LGBTQ, Meghan’s insights will help you. If you are looking to be a better LDS parent or local leader, Meghan’s insights and observation will help you. I encourage everyone to listen to and share this podcast. Also, check out Megan’s insightful talk at the North Star Fireside on "Peace in Christ" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM4dXybUAaY Thank you Meghan for being on the podcast. Your work is helping so many. Honored to call you friend. ** Please Check Out My 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: ** https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143
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Oct 30, 2021 • 1h 10min

Episode 472: Peter Fillerup, Gay Latter-day Saint

My friend Peter Fillerup (age 31, RM, Architectural & Interior Designer), shares his story. Upon returning home from his successful mission in Los Angeles, Peter spent about ten years trying to date women. Peter talks ‘waiting for the attraction to happen’ and concludes with feeling ‘I’m screwed up”. In late 2020, Peter started to consider he is gay. That journey involved his family, personal revelation, and deep reflection. Peter shares his story of coming out in 2021 and how much better he feels in all aspects of his life. He no longer feels “screwed up” and has a better relationship with his Heavenly Parents. This is a deeply moving and insightful podcast. Peter’s story will help so many. You are a good man Peter and I’m honored to have you. ** Please Check Out My 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: ** https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143
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Oct 27, 2021 • 1h 13min

Episode 471: Colby Majors, Gay Latter-day Saint

My friend Colby Majors (mid 30’s, convert, RM, going through a divorce, father of one) shares his journey. Colby talks about knowing he was gay in his teenage years, joining the Church at age 17 and serving a mission, and then getting married. Colby talks about why, after 15 years of marriage, he felt he needed to finally come out as gay to his wife and family. That reality has led Colby and his wife to separate and are headed to a divorce Colby talks about his love for his Heavenly Parents and the Savior in his life as he moved forward. Colby talks about doing his best to be honest and make the best decisions possible as a gay Latter-say Saint. Colby story (like many LGBTQ Latter-day Saints) is still unfolding. But Colby has hopes for his future and have wonderful insights to help other LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and to help keep us together as the same human family. Thank you my friend Colby for being on the podcast and sharing your story. You are brave and courageous. Hearing your story helps us better understand and support each other. ** Please Check Out My 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: ** https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143

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