Mormon Transitions: Recent Episodes
John and Margi Dehlin
In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Jon Ogden—author of When Mormons Doubt. Jon describes how his faith crisis blossomed during his LDS mission and time at BYU and ultimately became the impetus to writing the book, which strives to explore how the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness can save relationships even when we disagree with those we love.
We cover:
- How his faith crisis developed on his LDS mission, but he finished his mission anyway
- Dating while at BYU and how it distracted him from his faith crisis
- How when a family member left the LDS Church, it forced him to confront his own doubts and begin an academic study of the truth claims of the Church
- When he realized that the same problems with Mormon historicity were also at play with Christianity in general
- He and his spouse’s current belief state, and their desire to have a sense of community and solid religious framework for their children to hold onto
- The main topics of his book, When Mormons Doubt, including a deep dive into sections on “Truth,” “Goodness,” and “Beauty.”
In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Jon Ogden—author of When Mormons Doubt. Jon describes how his faith crisis blossomed during his LDS mission and time at BYU and ultimately became the impetus to writing the book, which strives to explore how the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness can save relationships even when we disagree with those we love.
We cover:
- How his faith crisis developed on his LDS mission, but he finished his mission anyway
- Dating while at BYU and how it distracted him from his faith crisis
- How when a family member left the LDS Church, it forced him to confront his own doubts and begin an academic study of the truth claims of the Church
- When he realized that the same problems with Mormon historicity were also at play with Christianity in general
- He and his spouse’s current belief state, and their desire to have a sense of community and solid religious framework for their children to hold onto
- The main topics of his book, When Mormons Doubt, including a deep dive into sections on “Truth,” “Goodness,” and “Beauty.”
In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Dr. Julie DeAzevedo Hanks about her article in LDSLiving Magazine titled "30 Questions Nobody Asks My Husband at Church." John and Margi discuss the powerful cultural messages that are sent in the questions we ask.
In these episodes of Mormon Stories, John and Margi interview Carol Lynn Pearson, Jana Riess, and Jana Johnson Spangler to explore their experiences as they navigate progressive Mormonism.
We cover important topics such as:
Each panelist’s experience when their faith became more complex and whether they would self-describe as a Mormon
What made them choose to remain engaged in the Church
What the most valuable aspects of the faith are to each of them, and how they inform and impact their life
Their social experience in their wards and whether they feel alone or among many others who are navigating a middle-way
How they approach Sundays and whether they have supplemented their Sunday experience with anything that would be helpful to share with our audience
Whether they observe a decline in the health and vitality of the Church
In these episodes of Mormon Stories, John and Margi interview Carol Lynn Pearson, Jana Riess, and Jana Johnson Spangler to explore their experiences as they navigate progressive Mormonism.
We cover important topics such as:
Each panelist’s experience when their faith became more complex and whether they would self-describe as a Mormon
What made them choose to remain engaged in the Church
What the most valuable aspects of the faith are to each of them, and how they inform and impact their life
Their social experience in their wards and whether they feel alone or among many others who are navigating a middle-way
How they approach Sundays and whether they have supplemented their Sunday experience with anything that would be helpful to share with our audience
Whether they observe a decline in the health and vitality of the Church
In this episode, we interview Brynne Thomas Gant -- author of the article titled "They Can Leave the Church, But They Can't Leave the Church Alone"
In this episode, we interview Brynne Thomas Gant -- author of the article titled "They Can Leave the Church, But They Can't Leave the Church Alone"
In this episode of Mormon Stories and Mormon Transitions, John and Margi reflect back on their 13 years of experience as semi- and non-believers and provide their advice on how to successfully navigate activity in the LDS Church. Some of the topics discussed are:
*Advice on how to determine whether church attendance is a healthy option for you and your family
*Living the “Law of Tithing” in a way that is meaningful to you
*Focusing on teaching lessons about truths that resonate with you, and less on the topics that trouble you as they most likely will be covered many other times
*How to respond to inquiries about your activity status from fellow ward members
*Setting boundaries and expectations when given a calling
*Protecting your children by having an open discussion after church that allows them to safely process and talk through the information
*Building social credit in your ward to spend thoughtfully when the time arrives
*Advice on how to ethically navigate the temple recommend interview
*Answering the question “can you be honest and ethical in staying?”
This episode is a recording of Dr. John Dehlin's goodbye presentation to Cache Valley Oasis - a secular support community formed in Fall of 2015 in Logan, Utah.
In his presentation (recorded May 21, 2017), John shared reflections of "lessons" he has learned over the course of 13 years as a Mormon/Post-Mormon activist.
In this episode, John, Margi, and Natasha Helfer Parker discuss guiding principles to maintaining successful relationships
In this episode, John, Margi, and Natasha Helfer Parker discuss forming a foundation for marriage that withstands change
In this episode John and Margi interview four individuals who are transgender and either active LDS or former LDS. Our panelists for this interview are Kimberly, Ann, Emmett, and Augustus. We discuss:
What it was like growing up in the LDS Church
What effect bullying and life in the “closet” had on them
How the panelists see transgender people fitting (or not) into LDS Church doctrine
“Trans-erasure” in the Church where lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities receive more focus and attention; therefore, transgender issues are less understood
How they were treated when they attended church as their authentic selves
Things they would like the Church to address with their transgender members
We thank our panelists for sharing each of their unique stories and for bringing light to the Mormon transgender experience!
In this 4-part series, we interview Nicki and Lance Miles who share their Mormon upbringing, how they met, and how their individual mission experiences intertwined in Episode 1.
In Episode 2, we have a serious discussion about Lance’s father who comes out as gay and the impact it had on the Miles family. Nicki and Lance share how their feelings towards their father evolved in a more positive direction as time progressed.
Episode 3 details the meeting Nicki and Lance had with Marlin K. Jensen, former historian for the LDS Church. They detail the questions asked of the historian, and the impact his answers had on them.
Rounding out the interview, in Episode 4 we discuss Nicki’s feminist awakening and the impact it had on Lance’s view of their marriage. Transitioning out of the LDS Church led the couple to take a serious look at the foundation of their marriage and their approach to raising their children.
In this 4-part series, we interview Nicki and Lance Miles who share their Mormon upbringing, how they met, and how their individual mission experiences intertwined in Episode 1.
In Episode 2, we have a serious discussion about Lance’s father who comes out as gay and the impact it had on the Miles family. Nicki and Lance share how their feelings towards their father evolved in a more positive direction as time progressed.
Episode 3 details the meeting Nicki and Lance had with Marlin K. Jensen, former historian for the LDS Church. They detail the questions asked of the historian, and the impact his answers had on them.
Rounding out the interview, in Episode 4 we discuss Nicki’s feminist awakening and the impact it had on Lance’s view of their marriage. Transitioning out of the LDS Church led the couple to take a serious look at the foundation of their marriage and their approach to raising their children.
In this 4-part series, we interview Nicki and Lance Miles who share their Mormon upbringing, how they met, and how their individual mission experiences intertwined in Episode 1.
In Episode 2, we have a serious discussion about Lance’s father who comes out as gay and the impact it had on the Miles family. Nicki and Lance share how their feelings towards their father evolved in a more positive direction as time progressed.
Episode 3 details the meeting Nicki and Lance had with Marlin K. Jensen, former historian for the LDS Church. They detail the questions asked of the historian, and the impact his answers had on them.
Rounding out the interview, in Episode 4 we discuss Nicki’s feminist awakening and the impact it had on Lance’s view of their marriage. Transitioning out of the LDS Church led the couple to take a serious look at the foundation of their marriage and their approach to raising their children.
In this 4-part series, we interview Nicki and Lance Miles who share their Mormon upbringing, how they met, and how their individual mission experiences intertwined in Episode 1.
In Episode 2, we have a serious discussion about Lance’s father who comes out as gay and the impact it had on the Miles family. Nicki and Lance share how their feelings towards their father evolved in a more positive direction as time progressed.
Episode 3 details the meeting Nicki and Lance had with Marlin K. Jensen, former historian for the LDS Church. They detail the questions asked of the historian, and the impact his answers had on them.
Rounding out the interview, in Episode 4 we discuss Nicki’s feminist awakening and the impact it had on Lance’s view of their marriage. Transitioning out of the LDS Church led the couple to take a serious look at the foundation of their marriage and their approach to raising their children.
In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Noah Rasheta — the Executive Director of the Foundation for Mindful Living and host of the Secular Buddhism podcast. This meaningful and compelling interview covers:
- Noah’s early life as an orthodox Mormon believer and his struggle with the thought that with all of the good in the world, is it possible that the path set forth by the LDS Church is the only valid one?
- How he felt uneasy and shaken as he broadened his study of the Mormon faith
- His description of his transitioning process, his fears of leaving the LDS Church, and “coming out” as a non-believer to those in his faith community
- How as his transition progressed, his view towards people became more kind, warm, and compassionate
- His studies of Buddhist philosophy and the development of a purpose-driven life by integrating Buddhist teachings, modern science, humanism, and humor
In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Noah Rasheta — the Executive Director of the Foundation for Mindful Living and host of the Secular Buddhism podcast. This meaningful and compelling interview covers:
- Noah’s early life as an orthodox Mormon believer and his struggle with the thought that with all of the good in the world, is it possible that the path set forth by the LDS Church is the only valid one?
- How he felt uneasy and shaken as he broadened his study of the Mormon faith
- His description of his transitioning process, his fears of leaving the LDS Church, and “coming out” as a non-believer to those in his faith community
- How as his transition progressed, his view towards people became more kind, warm, and compassionate
- His studies of Buddhist philosophy and the development of a purpose-driven life by integrating Buddhist teachings, modern science, humanism, and humor
In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Noah Rasheta — the Executive Director of the Foundation for Mindful Living and host of the Secular Buddhism podcast. This meaningful and compelling interview covers:
- Noah’s early life as an orthodox Mormon believer and his struggle with the thought that with all of the good in the world, is it possible that the path set forth by the LDS Church is the only valid one?
- How he felt uneasy and shaken as he broadened his study of the Mormon faith
- His description of his transitioning process, his fears of leaving the LDS Church, and “coming out” as a non-believer to those in his faith community
- How as his transition progressed, his view towards people became more kind, warm, and compassionate
- His studies of Buddhist philosophy and the development of a purpose-driven life by integrating Buddhist teachings, modern science, humanism, and humor
In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Noah Rasheta — the Executive Director of the Foundation for Mindful Living and host of the Secular Buddhism podcast. This meaningful and compelling interview covers:
- Noah’s early life as an orthodox Mormon believer and his struggle with the thought that with all of the good in the world, is it possible that the path set forth by the LDS Church is the only valid one?
- How he felt uneasy and shaken as he broadened his study of the Mormon faith
- His description of his transitioning process, his fears of leaving the LDS Church, and “coming out” as a non-believer to those in his faith community
- How as his transition progressed, his view towards people became more kind, warm, and compassionate
- His studies of Buddhist philosophy and the development of a purpose-driven life by integrating Buddhist teachings, modern science, humanism, and humor
Panelists Wendy & Thomas Montgomery and Daniel Parkinson delve into topics related to Utah’s escalating suicide crisis and the feeling of despair that many LDS LGBT individuals experience.
Part 1: In this episode, the panel discusses appropriate guidelines when discussing suicide and work to identify possible correlates unique to Utah and the broader LDS LGBT community.
Part 2: In this episode, the panel discusses the perceived “whiplash” of mixed messaging from LDS Church leadership about LGBT people. They also discuss how to communicate and address the possible causes of the escalating suicide crisis, without violating the guidelines shared in episode 1.
Panelists Wendy & Thomas Montgomery and Daniel Parkinson delve into topics related to Utah’s escalating suicide crisis and the feeling of despair that many LDS LGBT individuals experience.
Part 1: In this episode, the panel discusses appropriate guidelines when discussing suicide and work to identify possible correlates unique to Utah and the broader LDS LGBT community.
Part 2: In this episode, the panel discusses the perceived “whiplash” of mixed messaging from LDS Church leadership about LGBT people. They also discuss how to communicate and address the possible causes of the escalating suicide crisis, without violating the guidelines shared in episode 1.
SUPER honored/proud to release my latest interview with Heidi Nielson Packard and Dr. Josh Packard. This powerful, informative, and in-depth interview covers:
- Heidi and Josh’s very orthodox Mormon upbringing and early years as Mormons. For those interested, Heidi’s brother is Christian Nielson, who is married to Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues blog (sister to Courtney Clark Kendrick or CJane)
- Their faith crisis involving science and LDS history (reading Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling), which resulted in Josh asking to be released from the bishopric,
- How Heidi and Josh found value in secular humanism as a way to raise their children after Mormonism,
- How the military community has helped to meet there social needs after leaving Mormonism, and
- How they overcame early “mistakes” in communicating with believing family, resulting in more loving, respectful relationships with believing family members today.
SUPER honored/proud to release my latest interview with Heidi Nielson Packard and Dr. Josh Packard. This powerful, informative, and in-depth interview covers:
- Heidi and Josh’s very orthodox Mormon upbringing and early years as Mormons. For those interested, Heidi’s brother is Christian Nielson, who is married to Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues blog (sister to Courtney Clark Kendrick or CJane)
- Their faith crisis involving science and LDS history (reading Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling), which resulted in Josh asking to be released from the bishopric,
- How Heidi and Josh found value in secular humanism as a way to raise their children after Mormonism,
- How the military community has helped to meet there social needs after leaving Mormonism, and
- How they overcame early “mistakes” in communicating with believing family, resulting in more loving, respectful relationships with believing family members today.
SUPER honored/proud to release my latest interview with Heidi Nielson Packard and Dr. Josh Packard. This powerful, informative, and in-depth interview covers:
- Heidi and Josh’s very orthodox Mormon upbringing and early years as Mormons. For those interested, Heidi’s brother is Christian Nielson, who is married to Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues blog (sister to Courtney Clark Kendrick or CJane)
- Their faith crisis involving science and LDS history (reading Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling), which resulted in Josh asking to be released from the bishopric,
- How Heidi and Josh found value in secular humanism as a way to raise their children after Mormonism,
- How the military community has helped to meet there social needs after leaving Mormonism, and
- How they overcame early “mistakes” in communicating with believing family, resulting in more loving, respectful relationships with believing family members today.
SUPER honored/proud to release my latest interview with Heidi Nielson Packard and Dr. Josh Packard. This powerful, informative, and in-depth interview covers:
- Heidi and Josh’s very orthodox Mormon upbringing and early years as Mormons. For those interested, Heidi’s brother is Christian Nielson, who is married to Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues blog (sister to Courtney Clark Kendrick or CJane)
- Their faith crisis involving science and LDS history (reading Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling), which resulted in Josh asking to be released from the bishopric,
- How Heidi and Josh found value in secular humanism as a way to raise their children after Mormonism,
- How the military community has helped to meet there social needs after leaving Mormonism, and
- How they overcame early “mistakes” in communicating with believing family, resulting in more loving, respectful relationships with believing family members today.
In this two-part episode, Dr. John Dehlin and his wife Margi hold a panel discussion with Kristin Marie, Michelle Ross, Paul Smith, and Ryan Stott. The panel navigates topics that include sexuality/purity messaging for the youth of the church, its impacts, and suggestions for approaching sexuality in healthy ways.
Part 1: The panel discusses the purity messaging they received as youth in the church and its impact on their sexual education and emotional well-being.
Part 2: The panel discusses healthy sexuality topics including developing your own definition of intimacy, negotiating your sexual experiences, and consent.
In this two-part episode, Dr. John Dehlin and his wife Margi hold a panel discussion with Kristin Marie, Michelle Ross, Paul Smith, and Ryan Stott. The panel navigates topics that include sexuality/purity messaging for the youth of the church, its impacts, and suggestions for approaching sexuality in healthy ways.
Part 1: The panel discusses the purity messaging they received as youth in the church and its impact on their sexual education and emotional well-being.
Part 2: The panel discusses healthy sexuality topics including developing your own definition of intimacy, negotiating your sexual experiences, and consent.
Co-hosts are John and Margi Dehlin. Today’s Panelists: Emily Celis and Aimee Heffernan.
As part 1 in a 2-part series, John and Margi Dehlin discuss death, loss, and grief with Emily Celis and Aimee Heffernan.
In this episode recorded 2/28/2017, John and Margi Dehlin interview Mary Mealing, Lisa Keyes and Lisa Patterson Butterworth. This is part 2 in a series on communicating with children during a Mormon faith transition.
In this episode we are joined by sex therapists Natasha Helfer Parker and Kristin Bennion in part 2 of our discussion on healthy sexuality in a Mormon transition.
In this episode we are joined by sex therapists Natasha Helfer Parker and Kristin Bennion to discuss healthy sexuality in a Mormon transition.
In this episode recorded January 31, 2017 Margi and John Dehlin interview Julie De Azevedo-Hanks, Kerstin Koldewyn, and former LDS Quorum of the 70 member Hans Mattsson about how to speak to children during a Mormon faith transition. Questions and comments are also discussed from our live listening audience.
As the first interview for the new Mormon Transitions project, I am incredibly pleased to interview my dear wife of 23 years, Margaret (Margi) Weber Dehlin. In this three-part interview, I ask Margi a series of 46 questions focusing on thee parts:
- Part 1: Margi’s life as a believing Mormon. This includes questions about how her family joined the LDS church in Washington D.C. during the 1970s, reflections on her own “conversion” to the church, Margi’s favorite parts about being a believing, active Mormon, and the most challenging parts as well.
- Part 2: Margi’s faith crisis and transition away from Mormon orthodoxy, including our time trying to remain LDS as semi-believers, and her experiences and reflections on my excommunication. Topics include the impetus for Margi’s faith transition, how she/we “came out” to our children parents, extended family, etc. as unorthodox Mormons, and what the most difficult and rewarding parts of the transition were.
- Part 3: Margi’s life and perspective now, as a post-Mormon, including reflections on her current beliefs and non-beliefs, her approach to nurturing a healthy/happy family without religion, how she approaches raising children without the church, and why she feels as though she and our family are happier and healthier than ever before after leaving the church.
As the first interview for the new Mormon Transitions project, I am incredibly pleased to interview my dear wife of 23 years, Margaret (Margi) Weber Dehlin. In this three-part interview, I ask Margi a series of 46 questions focusing on thee parts:
- Part 1: Margi’s life as a believing Mormon. This includes questions about how her family joined the LDS church in Washington D.C. during the 1970s, reflections on her own “conversion” to the church, Margi’s favorite parts about being a believing, active Mormon, and the most challenging parts as well.
- Part 2: Margi’s faith crisis and transition away from Mormon orthodoxy, including our time trying to remain LDS as semi-believers, and her experiences and reflections on my excommunication. Topics include the impetus for Margi’s faith transition, how she/we “came out” to our children parents, extended family, etc. as unorthodox Mormons, and what the most difficult and rewarding parts of the transition were.
- Part 3: Margi’s life and perspective now, as a post-Mormon, including reflections on her current beliefs and non-beliefs, her approach to nurturing a healthy/happy family without religion, how she approaches raising children without the church, and why she feels as though she and our family are happier and healthier than ever before after leaving the church.
As the first interview for the new Mormon Transitions project, I am incredibly pleased to interview my dear wife of 23 years, Margaret (Margi) Weber Dehlin. In this three-part interview, I ask Margi a series of 46 questions focusing on thee parts:
- Part 1: Margi’s life as a believing Mormon. This includes questions about how her family joined the LDS church in Washington D.C. during the 1970s, reflections on her own “conversion” to the church, Margi’s favorite parts about being a believing, active Mormon, and the most challenging parts as well.
- Part 2: Margi’s faith crisis and transition away from Mormon orthodoxy, including our time trying to remain LDS as semi-believers, and her experiences and reflections on my excommunication. Topics include the impetus for Margi’s faith transition, how she/we “came out” to our children parents, extended family, etc. as unorthodox Mormons, and what the most difficult and rewarding parts of the transition were.
- Part 3: Margi’s life and perspective now, as a post-Mormon, including reflections on her current beliefs and non-beliefs, her approach to nurturing a healthy/happy family without religion, how she approaches raising children without the church, and why she feels as though she and our family are happier and healthier than ever before after leaving the church.
In this episode, recorded January 17, 2017, we discuss additional tips on communicating with orthodox/believing Mormons during a faith transition. Co-hosts are John and Margi Dehlin. Panelists include Steve Holbrook, Jenny Morrow, Ryan McKnight and Royleane Otteson.
In this episode, recorded January 10, 2017, we discuss tips on communicating with orthodox/believing Mormons. Co-hosts are John and Margi Dehlin. Panelists include Amy Grubbs, Shandi Hill, Brynne and Jared Grant, and Tanner Gilliland.
An introduction to Mormon Transitions Live! podcast, hosted by John and Margi Dehlin. Panelists on today's episode include Amy Grubbs, Shandi Hill, Marco Perez and Dan Wotherspoon.
As progressive and post-Mormons continue to leave the LDS church in increasing numbers, many former LDS church members miss the sense of community that they once enjoyed as active Mormons. Oasis is a network of secular communities that meet weekly (on Sundays), organized according to the following values: 1) People are more important than beliefs. 2) Reality is known through reason. 3) Meaning comes from making a difference 4) Human hands solve human problems. 5) Be accepting and be accepted. Currently the Oasis Network has two thriving communities: Houston Oasis: http://houstonoasis.org Kansas City Oasis: http://KCoasis.org Also, a new Oasis community is under development in Boston: http://bostonoasis.org. In this episode we interview the two founders of Oasis: Mike Aus of Oasis Houston, and Helen Stringer of Oasis Kansas City. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVjI-f6Z9HU
Alison Udall is the co-founder and main force behind Mormon Spectrum - a web site dedicated to supporting Mormons across the belief spectrum with content and community. Since the release of Mormon Spectrum in August of 2015, the creation and growth of progressive and post-Mormon support communities have skyrocketed thank to Alison and the Mormon Spectrum team. Mormon Spectrum can accessed here. The Mormon Spectrum community locator map can be accessed here. This map can be used to locate and join an in-person Mormon support community near you. If you cannot find a support community near you, you can also create a community and list it on Mormon Spectrum.
In the episode Steve and Chris Holbrook discuss the lessons they have learned in helping to lead/grow the Utah Valley Post-Mormon community to a support community of over 1,400 members, with weekly activities and very high levels of community support, participation, and satisfaction. To locate or create a community in your geographical area, check out the Mormon Spectrum web site. Finally, to hear their background story of what led them to become leaders in the Utah Valley Post-Mormon community, check out their background story on Mormon Stories Podcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiwf1xD6z8w
A presentation entitled “What I’ve Learned after 15 Years of Mormon Transitioning” delivered by Dr. John Dehlin at Utah Valley University on August 18, 2015. Sponsored by the Utah Valley PostMormons.