Why We Stay: Recent Episodes
Kalyx Christensen
Spirituality & religion are controversial topics around the world but specifically in the States, it's become outdated according to modern culture. As a follower of Christ I seek to increase faith in Jesus Christ, His gospel, & His church. In doing so, I hope to instill confidence w/in listeners that they can be spiritually resilient & Christ-reliant before, after & even during a crises of faith through stories shared by fellow members of the Church (including myself) who have, at times, experienced a crisis of faith. Especially as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
SummaryBrothaz in the Foyer is a podcast created by a group of black men who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They share their experiences as black members of the LDS church in Utah and aim to create a space where black men can gather and discuss their faith. The podcast is inspired and supported by the Lord, and the members of the group have seen positive reinforcement and impact on individuals through their discussions. Their diverse backgrounds and cultures contribute to their ability to reach and connect with a wide range of people. In this conversation, 2 of 7 hosts of their podcast, William Kennedy and Isiah Gray share their personal experiences and perspectives as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They discuss their journeys of faith, the challenges they faced, and the importance of cultural diversity within the Church. They emphasize the need for individuals to come to know their personal identity and develop a strong relationship with their Savior. They also address the messy history of the Church and the importance of acknowledging past injustices. Overall, they encourage listeners to seek God, embrace their unique gifts and talents, and work towards unity in the family of God.This is Why They Stay.
Jayden Laursen shares his journey of leaving and returning to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He talks about his experience serving on church Seminary Council and the difficulty of leaving that calling. Jayden reflects on his life before coming back to the Church and the negative influences he had. He emphasizes the importance of repentance and finding true happiness in Christ. Jayden also discusses the challenges of being the only one in his family living the gospel standards and the support he has found in his ward family and stake presidency. Jayden Laursen shares his experience with anxiety, depression, and finding comfort in Jesus Christ. He talks about feeling the pressure to always be happy and strong in his faith, but realizing that it's okay to struggle with mental health. He emphasizes the importance of having a support system and reaching out for help. Jayden also discusses the need to be vulnerable and open about our struggles, as it can inspire and uplift others. He encourages listeners to be intentional in their actions, aligning them with Christ's teachings, and to serve and love others as He would. This is Why He Stays.
Jayden Laursen shares his journey of leaving and returning to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He talks about his experience serving on church Seminary Council and the difficulty of leaving that calling. Jayden reflects on his life before coming back to the Church and the negative influences he had. He emphasizes the importance of repentance and finding true happiness in Christ.
Jayden also discusses the challenges of being the only one in his family living the gospel standards and the support he has found in his ward family and stake presidency.
Jayden Laursen shares his experience with anxiety, depression, and finding comfort in Jesus Christ. He talks about feeling the pressure to always be happy and strong in his faith, but realizing that it's okay to struggle with mental health. He emphasizes the importance of having a support system and reaching out for help. Jayden also discusses the need to be vulnerable and open about our struggles, as it can inspire and uplift others.
He encourages listeners to be intentional in their actions, aligning them with Christ's teachings, and to serve and love others as He would.
This is Why He Stays.
Brayden shares his journey from growing up in an active LDS family to serving a mission in South Carolina. During his mission, his parents began questioning their faith, which caused Brayden to doubt his beliefs. However, he found strength in his mission experiences and the power of prayer. Brayden's testimony was strengthened by the miracles he witnessed and the guidance he received while serving. Upon returning home, he faced the challenge of transitioning back to regular life and navigating the differences between mission and church cultures. This is Why He Stays
Brayden McLaughlin shares his story of growing up in an active LDS family and his decision to serve a mission in South Carolina. During his mission, his parents went through a faith crisis and left the Church, which caused Brayden to question his own beliefs. Despite the challenges, he found strength in his mission experiences and the power of prayer. He shares stories of finding people to teach and feeling the Spirit guide his words. Brayden's testimony was strengthened through these experiences and he continues to rely on them when facing doubts. This is Why He Stays
Amy’s episode touches on her family’s journey and test of faith with managing and coping with her father’s challenge with addiction.It can be incredibly challenging to be around circumstances that have inevitable negative consequences and just negative feelings towards someone you love and care about. There’s a lot of decisions to be made in scenarios like Amy’s.Amy shares her childhood journey into adulthood that was guided by her resilient mother which evidently portrayed in this episode, set up Amy with the confidence and foundation of faith in Christ, despite the circumstances, to choose to lean on Christ during this season of her life. While these circumstances are subjective to every family, perspective is key in all aspects of faith challenges. This episode highlights the importance that we are not defined by our pasts or our mistakes but by the intents of our hearts. We CAN heal from our traumas all because of faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement.
As someone who’s been everywhere else but church, Sariah shares her story of experiencing intense circumstances as a result of her own choices and the choices of others. Having dealt with judgmental church leaders and family members, personal vices, being placed in situations with no control, and wanted to do anything but what was expected, she shares her story of conversion, growth, and Why She Chose to return and to stay in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 9 years ago. Her story comes full circle. Listen now!
Listen to this Easter/Holy Week Podcast Series: Why We Stay Podcast Version, Finale: Resurrection Sunday. I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the Saviors resurrection and what that means for us as his disciples.
Listen to this Easter/Holy Week Podcast Series: Why We Stay Podcast Version, Part Seven: Silent Saturday. I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the seventh day of the last week of the Saviors life.
Listen to this Easter/Holy Week Podcast Series: Why We Stay Podcast Version, Part Six: Good Friday. I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the sixth day of the last week of the Saviors life.
Listen to this Easter/Holy Week Podcast Series: Why We Stay Podcast Version, Part Five: Last Supper Thursday. I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the fifth day of the last week of the Saviors life.
Listen to this Easter/Holy Week Podcast Series: Why We Stay Podcast Version, Part Four: Forgiveness Wednesday. I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the fourth day of the last week of the Saviors life.
Listen to this Easter/Holy Week Podcast Series: Why We Stay Podcast Version, Part Three: Teaching Tuesday. I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the third day of the last week of the Saviors life.
Listen to this Easter/Holy Week Podcast Series: Why We Stay Podcast Version, Part Two: Cleansing Monday. I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the second day of the last week of the Saviors life.
Listen to this Easter/Holy Week Podcast Series: Why We Stay Podcast Version, Part One: Palm Sunday. I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the first day of the last week of the Saviors life.
Jennifer, like many of us really thrive off of finding and establishing deep connections in our communities. Specifically, in our church congregations. However, even though the gospel of Jesus Christ will always be the same no matter where you go, congregations in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are not the same wherever you go. This made it easy for many and as mentioned in this episode, for Jennifer, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to possibly opt out of church attendance, question their relationship with the gospel, etc…However, Jennifer shares that its okay to evaluate your intention behind how you live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because at the end of the day, your faith journey is truly between you and God. We must work together as congregations in our church to serve one another like Christ did. Become truly, the family of God and become one as God has asked us to be. This is Why She Stays.
Founder and owner of Salt & Hart, making the gospel and gospel learning simple and simply approachable through a minimalistic style of product. A recent passion project sourced from gospel truth, is focusing on your identity as a child of God and sourcing your worth from things of the infinite. Beth shares her struggles as a business owner, mother, and now service missionary, and the duty she feels called to fulfill as she tries to create more light in a darkened world. This is Why She Stays.
“I left Idaho to move to Utah to leave and escape the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!” An eager Tyler wanting to do anything and everything to get away from a church he and especially a culture he no longer found belonging in. After a number of years and attempts to steer away from any religion, going as far as removing his records from the church, God’s call to Tyler was both subtle and clear invitations to return to the fold. This inspired him to be more intentional and find what his true ‘Why’ is as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A ‘Why’ that is founded upon a renewed and refined perspective on pure faith in Jesus Christ despite the inevitable judgements he knew he’d receive and did receive in his efforts to do so. This is Why He Stays.
Author, podcast host, husband, and former avid bowler, Nathan has a huge passion for helping others. Sometimes as Latter Day Saints, we feel stuck and not knowing how to navigate our faith journey. Nathan’s journey is evidence of that. But through his experiences, he has slowly been able to answer that question through prayerful reliance on God. You simply just have to start somewhere. This is Why He Stays.
The struggle with pornography should not be a fight fought alone. Podcast host of the Sisters On The Front Lines podcast , Madi Davis joins me to tell her story of her own personal struggle with pornography from a young age and how her faith and trust in the atonement of Jesus Christ led her to be inspired to help women like herself feel less alone and feel more of God’s love despite the cultural stigmas surrounding pornography. This is Why She Stays.
Bonnie was led by God to lead her life in a way that was intricately unique to her life and her life only. Upon discovering that she was born without a uterus in early adolescence, Bonnie felt absolutely singled out. It's obvious and valid that she worried about not only her future as a wife and mother, but to simply put it, the way she'd feel going into young women classes at church on Sundays or youth activities on Wednesdays feeling much different than her female peers. With family being a central part of God's plan, she had many questions on what God had planned for her. In this episode, Bonnie and I during the this episode, vulnerably chat about the divinely placed mentors and experiences God sent her way, despite the very obvious roadblocks, as she grew into adulthood and eventually went on to get married, have a family, and become a licensed social worker in which inspired her book: "Gathering Israel's Children: How the Lord Is Gathering His Family by Inspiring Forever Families to Adopt, Mentor, and Love His Children in Need". We learn through Bonnie's story that choosing to stay in the church doesn't mean checking off specific boxes, it means trusting God that there is more than one way to follow His plan and help or inspire others do the same. This is Why She Stays.
Change is inevitable. So is opportunity. As a modern day woman in our latter-day church, Abby found it hard to not compare herself to her fellow return missionaries. Her goal to avoid being a statistic and a stereotypical return missionary led her to contemplate her ‘why’, now that she was home and moving on with life. The transition from missionary work to school work within a month was inevitably overwhelming. However, in her ever continuous faith journey, Abby found purpose and was able to be her own kind of ‘return missionary’ in a random opportunity where she found herself in the least likely of places and in doing so, went about doing good for others despite the odds. This is Why She Stays. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
“Sometimes it’s your fault, sometimes it’s not, and sometimes it’s just life!” These exact words were shared to Emily by the power of the Holy Spirit during her visit to the Salt Lake City temple just after it being unearthed and the foundation exposed. This was in reference to how challenging mortality can be. But we’re not in it alone. Part two touches on the realities of life that none of us are immune to but have are more than capable of overcoming and growing from thanks to a loving Savior and Heavenly Parents. Emily shares that in order to be happy, even with trials, questions, speculations, and doubts, you have to create it and ‘let go and let God.’ Letting God prevail in Emily’s life transformed herself and her whole family and blessings came to fruition for her faith. This is Why She Stays.
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Do you know anyone who’s been given almost every trial that exists either all at once or throughout their life and seem to never get a break? Some say it’s unfair or question why God would give them everything all at once. Emily can attest. As you listen for his episode, you may notice that Emily has lived a life with one mindset and that is: “it’s all gonna work out” and that was gonna happen with by her efforts and/or with the efforts of Jesus. Emily in this two part series shares in this episode about her background, upbringing, her relationships with God and Christs church and trials within herself, her marriage, her families and her overall wrestle with God that led to her to where she is today. Part one touches on the buildup to developing her Why and part two will discuss more and how she sustains and firmly believes in her Why as a member of the church. This is Why She Stays.
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The anonymous q&a app, known as “ngl” led to a vulnerable post Sabrina mindfully shared on her personal Instagram account in response to those sharing personal criticisms on church culture. Sabrina’s post unexpectedly went viral and led her to a calling she didn’t realize she was being prepared for long before this app even existed. She shares her story as a lifelong member that isn’t immune to the question, doubts, and trials that come with life and with church doctrine and principles that we may not fully comprehend. However, she’s thankful for these experiences as they have led her to be more present in her relationship with her family and her testimony and relationship with Jesus Christ. She shares a couple resources that have supplemented her journey as well. This is Why She Stays.
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What does it feel like to be an outcast in your own congregation? Chelsea shares her story where she felt singled out and ignored in a community where the latter should’ve occurred. However, because of this situation, she was able to narrow down her “why’s” as to why she became a member of Christ’s church in the first place. There’s many. Also Christ was treated as the ultimate outcast. Just some food for thought.. This is why she stays.
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As a mom, wife, sister, and friend..Briana shares on how becoming a critical and mindful thinker has given her a more optimistic mindset in connection with gospel living and doctrine and despite the criticism that has come with deciding to remain and strive to be a faithful and genuine disciple of Jesus Christ. This has led her to be comfortable with the uncomfortable and helping others do the same by making their journey alongside Christ become more personal and real. This has led her to be more kind to herself and her life and as well as those around her. This is Why She Stays.
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It’s easy to place people in boxes. Jordan speaks from real experience as he navigates his relationship with the Church and with his faith in Christ in conjunction with embracing his sexuality as a gay member of the church. He simply put it as, “being gay is a huge aspect and fact about me, but I’m still Jordan.” Regardless of who one is, they are still a child of God and belong in His kingdom; they have much to give in our congregations just as anyone does. Jordan touches on navigating questions, encouraging discussion, and being patient and calm while waiting on the Lord as he figures out his path moving forward. This is Why He Stays.
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A whirlwind of life’s adversities can make us feel very alone, singled out, and worn thin. My story acknowledges the past will always be the past, but with Jesus working with us side by side, it won’t and can’t define our future. We wouldn’t have this life changing knowledge without the church of Jesus Christ. This is Why I Stay.
We get down to the core of what culture is. We know God created and gave us unique culture for a region or community. They all resemble aspects of the gospel but attributed to a specific reason. Culture has been manipulated to divide us, the true culture of Christ in conjunction with world culture to celebrate our differences is what will ultimately unite us. Coming from a multi-racial background taught me that growing up and to this day. This will never be a You vs. Me culture. Us together, with the strength of the Lord. This is Why I Stay.
When you have a million doubts or questions, concerns, fears, feelings of inadequacy…what do you do? Cameron Carlson, shares his story and counsel about how it’s totally possible to rely on Jesus Christ through gratitude when times like these inevitably pop up throughout our lives. These experiences don’t define us, but refine us. This is Why He Stays.
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Life’s pretty complicated isn’t it? Living the gospel shouldn’t be. It truly is so easy to think and feel that it is. Erin and Sterling, take time to share their stories about learning to build your testimony on your own can be one of life’s biggest quests. But along the way, we need to remember that it starts by going back to the basics of the gospel and why you started. This is ‘Why They Stay’.
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If you're anything like me or Bridget, we know that the world can be a scary place, right? Totally. Fortunately enough, because of Jesus Christ and the good new of His gospel, we can today or overtime become less afraid and more confident in the fact that there is a better world to come. It's hard to navigate things outside of our control and power especially in a world where Satan wants us to feel helpless and afraid, but what a blessing to know that there is someone out there that always has our best interest at heart to enable us with power to overcome anything and everything. This is why Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light and Life! Bridget so kindly recorded this mini episode to share resources we can study and read about and resort to during time of fear and doubts. We are blessed to have so many resources out there. We are truly not alone.
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It’s hard to wait for the silver lining or an answer to a prayer. Why? Well we want our answers now due to the day and age we live in. Fortunately, we can know that God has perfect timing regardless what the world says. Madie Craig, a California native, Boise resident, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and recent member of the church shares about how God knew what she needed at the exact time she needed it. This is ‘Why she stays’.
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Can we really know the truth? It’s a more common question than we think. Bridget McCann, a wife, sister, daughter, devout fish parent, loyal friend and long time member of the church…joins me on episode 3 to discuss about the trials that arise when we’re on a quest to find answers to questions, the why behind some elements of the church or the gospel as whole and possibly dealing with an array of hurt feelings and an explanation of the unknown. Join us to listen in on how we can come unto Christ even with all these speculations, fears, confusion, doubts, and questions. It’s already way too trivial to be a human being, so let’s learn how our faith in Jesus Christ and his gospel can point our POV in the right direction and invite more peace into our lives. Additionally Bridget shares her own story about ‘why she stays’.
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a brief introduction on how this podcast came to be and the objective moving forward in future episodes.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app