Messy Genes

Carly and Cindy

Two Sisters. Too opinionated. Zero Clue. We’re Carly and Cindy, and we were raised to be obedient, modest, and quiet. Instead, we got divorced, left the Mormon church, and started a podcast. Messy Genes is where we unpack everything from religious deconstruction to dating after 7-20 years of marriage—with a lot of sarcasm, sister banter, and oversharing along the way.  If you've ever been labeled “too much,” “too loud,” or just plain “too messy,” you're in the right place. Grab a drink and join us as we laugh, rant, and unlearn the stuff we were told was sacred.

Episodes

  1. AUG 19

    The Birds, the Bees and Messy Genes

    Send us a text Messy Genes: Uncovering Awkward Sex Education Stories and Overcoming Religious Stigmas In this candid and humorously insightful episode, sisters Cindy and Carly share personal anecdotes and listener stories about their experiences with sex education, or lack thereof, while growing up in a conservative, religious environment. From discovering misinformation about sex, dealing with awkward parental 'sex talks', and the personal journey of overcoming shame and taboo topics, this episode dives deep into the impact of religious teachings on sexuality, consent, and personal growth. As they navigate these sensitive topics, Cindy and Carly emphasize the importance of open communication, enthusiastic consent, and self-education in creating a healthier and more open approach towards sex and relationships. 00:00 Sisterly Bonding and Weekend Adventures 00:26 Concert Chaos and Lost Phone Drama 06:17 Podcast Studio and Serious Topics 07:14 Rave Experience and Mother-Daughter Moments 10:21 NXIVM Cult Connection and ELF Cosmetics 13:18 The S*x Talk and Growing Up Mormon 25:52 Listener Stories: Awkward S*x Education 31:50 Embarrassing School Story 32:43 Misconceptions and Confidence 34:08 The Impact of Repression 35:18 First Time Experiences 38:34 Lack of Proper Education 41:53 Parental Conversations 46:16 Misguided Beliefs 48:31 The Importance of Open Communication 58:11 Funny Misunderstandings 01:10:07 Healing and Moving Forward

    1h 12m
  2. JUL 21

    Messy Mormonism: Leave Laugh Live

    Send us a text Navigating Faith and Identity: Our Deconstruction Journey In this episode of 'Messy Genes,' Cindy and Carly embark on a candid and emotional dialogue about leaving the Mormon Church, wrestling with faith, and finding their personal identity outside of religion. Carly opens up about her initial doubts sparked by her husband’s questioning and the eventual unraveling of their devout beliefs. Cindy recalls her emotional ride through her own faith crisis, exacerbated by her sister’s departure and navigating her own path while undergoing intense therapy. Woven into the narrative are humorous reflections on Mormon fashion and the sisterly bond that stood the test of this transformative period in their lives. 00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter 00:31 Podcast Setup Struggles 01:25 Hair Talk and Personal Grooming 02:13 Welcome to Messy Genes 02:35 Leaving the Church: A Unique Topic 03:06 C*nty Stories of the Week 03:13 Tripping on Ac*d: A Personal Experience 11:51 Quitting Nicotine: A Personal Journey 17:33 Leaving the Mormon Church: Personal Stories 18:31 Mormon Fashion Disasters 42:07 Existential Crisis and Identity Struggle 42:53 Revealing the Truth to Family 43:20 Impact on Relationships and Personal Journals 43:58 A Monumental Shift: Wheeler Farm Incident 46:55 The Email That Changed Everything 48:40 Processing Faith and Personal Revelation 55:01 Family Reactions and Emotional Turmoil 01:00:23 Questioning the Church and Seeking Truth 01:14:12 Therapy and Self-Discovery 01:19:45 A New Beginning: Embracing Change

    1h 31m
4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Two Sisters. Too opinionated. Zero Clue. We’re Carly and Cindy, and we were raised to be obedient, modest, and quiet. Instead, we got divorced, left the Mormon church, and started a podcast. Messy Genes is where we unpack everything from religious deconstruction to dating after 7-20 years of marriage—with a lot of sarcasm, sister banter, and oversharing along the way.  If you've ever been labeled “too much,” “too loud,” or just plain “too messy,” you're in the right place. Grab a drink and join us as we laugh, rant, and unlearn the stuff we were told was sacred.