Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler

Episodes

Mentioned books

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Oct 24, 2021 • 56min

Episode 470: Dr. Mark White, LDS/LGBTQ Research Request

My friend Dr. Mark White (active Latter-day Saint, Director, MFT Doctoral Programs, Department of Marriage and Family Sciences, Northcentral University [NCU]) joins us to talk about a research study designed to better understand the experience of current/former LGBTQ Latter-day Saints). Dr. White is joined by the other members of the research team, Dr. Beth Patrick (Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Sciences at NCU) and Tyra Williams (PhD student in Marriage and Family Therapy). Beth (lesbian/queer identified) and Tyra (queer identified) share some of their journey and how they are navigating their faith communities with wonderful insights. All three talk about the purpose and scope of the study. If you are LGBTQ and a current/former Latter-day Saint, I encourage you to spend 30-40 minutes to complete the online research project at MyCoreTruths.org (anonymous) and please share this link with others. Good research helps us know how to better meet the needs of our LGBTQ friends. Thank you Mark, Beth and Tyra for being on the podcast and your great work. ** 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
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Oct 22, 2021 • 1h 6min

Episode 469: Joseph Stith, Gay Latter-day Saint, Married Father of Two, Former Bishop

My friend Joseph Stith (active LDS, Convert, Former Marine, RM from Houston, Former President of Northstar, early 60s) shares his story as a gay Latter-day Saint. Joseph talks about his healing journey with his Savior that first started with a desire to change his sexual orientation and later changed to accepting his sexual orientation. Joseph shares knowing he was gay while serving in the military and throughout his mission, his marriage and during his service as a Bishop. Joseph shares the deeply spiritual road resulting in eventually fully coming out to himself and then his dear wife. It is a deeply moving and powerful story centered on the Savior and the Temple that ultimately strengthened his marriage and his discipleship. If you are a LGBTQ Latter-day Saint or someone wanting to better support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints, I believe you will enjoy this podcast. Joseph, having traveled this road for decades, has the long-view to help others new to this road. Thank you Joseph for being on the podcast and your unique life mission to bring hope and healing to others. Honored to have you on the podcast. ** 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
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Oct 17, 2021 • 1h 14min

Episode 467: Spencer Cottle, Gay BYU Student

My friend Spencer Cottle joins us to share his story as a gay Latter-day Saint. Spencer, who grew up in Williamsburg Virginia, talks about coming out in 2018 to his bishop and parents (good experience) prior to his successful mission to Madagascar. Once home from his mission, Spencer talks about needing to face and address the realities of figuring out his future as a gay Latter-day Saint. That led to deeply spiritual experience that Spencer shares on the podcast and feelings about his best path forward. Spencer, who sang in the BYU Choir at October General Conference, also talks about the excellent support he is receiving from parents, family and roommates. Thank you Spencer for being on the podcast. You are a remarkable talented man with a wonderful future. Thank you for sharing your story and helpful insights to help bring us together. You have a great life ahead of 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
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Oct 14, 2021 • 1h 17min

Episode 466: Scott and Molly Hixson

My friends Scott and Molly Hixson (married for 28 years, parents of five children, and one grandchild) join us to share their story. About 15 years ago, Scott came out to Molly with his same-sex attraction. Scott and Molly talk about the things they did during the last 15 years to keep their marriage together. The effort significantly accelerated over the past year as they did the hard work needed to bring their marriage into a very healthy and sustainable place. Their story is a beautiful love story. Scott and Molly talk about the personal revelation they received on why to share their story in a broad way to give hope, perspective and healing for others. If you are looking to improve your marriage (straight or mixed-orientation), or improve your relationships with others, please listen to this podcast. They share helpful and valuable insights. If you are looking to better support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints or are LGBTQ, this podcast will help you. Thank you Scott and Molly for being on the podcast and your courage to share 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
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Oct 12, 2021 • 1h 19min

Episode 465: Spencer Thompson, Author Liahona Article

My friend Spencer Thompson joins us to talk about his insightful recent Liahona Article which talks about his journey from shame to joy. Here is a link to the article: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/10/digital-only/same-sex-attraction-and-my-journey-from-shame-to-joy?lang=eng) Spencer, a married father of four, has some of the most unique, practical and helpful insights into the role of the Savior and His Atonement to bring hope and healing. I learn so much listening to Spencer and his honest and thoughtful insights. Spencer also talks about the valuable role of therapy, importance of being vulnerable and how to better minister to each other. Spencer gave two keynotes at NorthStar (Spencer is the current President https://www.northstarlds.org/) that are two of the finest talks I’ve heard about how the Savior wants to take on our burdens (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zPYSoDk1kQ) and how to better trust in God (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjL35kZaHA). I encourage everyone to listen to this podcast. It will give you better tools to find more hope and healing—and to better serve others. Thank you Spencer for being on the podcast and your unique life mission to help others. ** 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
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Oct 10, 2021 • 1h 4min

Episode 464: Patrick Mason (Utah State) and David Pulsipher (BYU-Idaho): New Book

My friends Patrick Mason and David Pulsipher join us to talk about their new book called Proclaim Peace: The Restoration's Answer to an Age of Conflict that is co-published with the Maxwell Institute's Living Faith series and Deseret Book. Here is a description of the book: Proclaim Peace is an extended meditation on what it means to follow the Prince of Peace in a world of violence. The book seeks not to promote any particular ideology, but rather to invite readers, especially the rising generation, to reflect seriously on the interpersonal, ethical, and social dimensions of Christian discipleship. As such, it represents a spiritual journey by two believing scholars of peace—a journey of scriptural exegesis and hermeneutics that breathe new life into familiar and beloved Restoration texts. Patrick and David talk about the unique doctrine in our restored Church that helps us lead with peace both within our Church and the world and how this implementing this doctrine is so needed to reduce divisiveness and help build Zion. You can learn more about Patrick here (https://history.usu.edu/faculty/faculty-directory/patrick-mason) and David Pulsipher here (https://www.byui.edu/devotionals/david-pulsipher) You can order the book here https://deseretbook.com/p/proclaim-peace-a-restoration-approach-for-times-of-contention-maxwell-institute?variant_id=194870-paperback Thank you Patrick and David for your work to reduce divisions and bring us together as the same human family.
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Oct 8, 2021 • 1h 1min

Episode 463: Tim Wright, Gay Latter-day Saint

My friend Tim Wright (RM from Spain, Age 29, Utah State Graduate) shares his story as a gay Latter-day Saints. Tim, who grew up in Morgan Utah, shares what led him to come out in May of 2021 and why coming out significantly improved his relationship with his Heavenly Father and his family. Tim, who is active in his LDS Ward, shares why he feels so much happier and a greater sense of belonging since coming out. If you are working through anger at God and/or wondering if it is time for you to come out, please listen to Tim’s story as he uses gospel principles and personal revelation to make his way forward full of hope. Thank you Tim for being on the podcast. You are a great man. Your story will help so 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
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Oct 6, 2021 • 1h 15min

Episode 462: Cheryl Hill, Lesbian, Out of the Church for 30 Years, Returned.

My friend Cheryl Hill shares her remarkable journey to be rebaptized into the Church in 2017 after nearly 30 years out of the Church. Cheryl talks about her relationship with Jesus which led her back into the Church in Georgia through many miraculous experience and incredible Church members. Cheryl is joined by her therapist, Jennifer Kuck, from Georgia (who flew to Utah for the podcast) and shares insights into Cheryl’s courage to deal with the pain/trauma of prior Church experiences that needed to be addressed to help Cheryl come back into the Church. Cheryl, who moved to Utah, is joined by her current Bishop, Nate Manning, who talks about helping Cheryl feel loved and welcome in the Ward. Bishop Manning and Cheryl talk about returning to the Temple and all the friends who supported Cheryl that day. This is a remarkable story of Cheryl's courage to rejoin the Church and the many people who love, believe in, and support Cheryl. Thank you Cheryl for being on the podcast. You are awesome. Your story will help so many. Keep being you. We all love 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
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Oct 4, 2021 • 57min

Episode 461: Chad Cannon, Ended Pornography Use, LGBTQ kids, Has Leukemia

My friend Chad Cannon (married father of four, active LDS, age 45) join us from near Idaho Falls to share his story. Chad talks about his 30 year journey with pornography use and how the 12-step addiction recovery program (focused on the Savior) was is path to hope and healing. Chad also shares insights into being the father of two LGBTQ children and also battling a life and death illness with leukemia. If you need hope in your life to end pornography use, please listen to Chad’s story and the role of our Savior and His atonement. Chad also had helpful insights in raising LGBTQ kids and also dealing with a serous illness. Thank you Chad for being on the podcast and sharing your story as you story will help so 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
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Oct 2, 2021 • 57min

Episode 460: Jason Conforto, Producer of Dog Valley, Murder of Gordon Church, Gay Utahn in 1988

My friend Jason Conforto, producer at Avalanche Studios, talks about why he and director, Dave Lindsay, decided to produce the documentary film Dog Valley, about the brutal murder of Gordon Church in Millard County, Utah in 1988. Jason shares the role his friend, Chad Anderson, played in researching and bringing this story to Avalanche Studios and producing the film with them. The movie honors the life of Gordon Church and brings awareness to his horrific death. It opens the door to what we can do to better support our fellow LGBTQ friends and create positive messages. Jason, who is an active LDS father with a gay son, also talks about how much better things are for his son 30+ years later and how much he loves and supports his son. You can purchase the film at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/dog-valley/id1582528103 Or you can find more information about the film at dogvalleymovie.com or Avalanche-studios.com Thank you Jason for being on the podcast. Thank you to Chad Anderson, Dave Lindsay, the Millard County Sheriff Department, Avalanche Studios, and everyone who put this needed documentary together to honor Gordon Church. Facebook links: https://www.facebook.com/Dog-Valley-101075248315548 https://www.facebook.com/AvalancheStudios https://www.facebook.com/jason.conforto.1/

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