Pioneering Paradox: A podcast for conflicted saints

Casey McFarland
  • 4.8 (13)
  • RELIGION

An attempt to find a middle ground in the Mormon experience.

  1. 6D AGO

    Navajo AND Latter Day Saint w/ Orlando Tsosie

    From the earliest days of the Latter-day Saint movement, Native Americans have been part of our story—and, for better or worse, we have been part of theirs, especially in the American West. It’s not always an easy story to tell. It involves colonization, displacement, and at times even massacre. The full story may never be completely told, as it is often one-sided. But there are other stories—stories centered on individuals, not just groups or grand narratives. This is one of those stories. In this episode we interview Orlando Tsotsi, a Navajo and a Latter-day Saint, and how he came to find himself  and is still finding himself while embodying parts of both of those identities. Orlando speaks about his journey to faith, the wisdom passed down from his Native people, and how his worldview expanded after living with five Latter-day Saint families through the Indian Student Placement Program ran by the LDS church from 1947-2000. We didn’t feel like we even scratched the surface with Orlando and plan to have him on for more discussion in the future.  We hope you enjoy this conversation.

    1h 5m

  2. JAN 7

    Staying Present When Certainty Falls Away w/MELANIE MCFARLAND

    Welcome to Pioneering Paradox (@pioneeringparadox) , hosted by Wil Wood (@willywouldnt) and Casey McFarland (@caseymcfarlandphoto). Here, we explore the messy, meaningful, and often difficult conversations within the Latter-day Saint tradition. We believe paradox is not a problem to solve but a healthy way to hold the tension of complex issues. As Richard Rohr reminds us, “Paradox is the only language that can contain the whole.” This episode marks the beginning of season 2. We start this season off with a discussion with the mystifying Melanie McFarland (@TrueWithinYou) who has an emotional wellness practice and happens to be my wife. We dive into the chaotic and exhillerating world of the stage of faith Brian Mclaren calls “perplexity”. This stage can be destabilizing and also exciting but what do we do about raising kids and being a part of the larger world when we are in this stage? We don’t have all the answers but just some thoughts and perspective. Thanks for listening.

    1h 10m

  3. 12/30/2025

    Does the Covenant Path lead to Transformation? w/ MELANIE MCFARLAND

    Melanie and I discuss the idea that religion is a tool that should lead to transformation, to becoming a "new creature" or "born again" . The Covenant Path does this for many people but what about the billions of people who don't feel a connection to the Latter Day Saint path. Are there other ways that can lead to transformation, even within the same home? We also discuss parenting kids outside of the covenant path and how families can be strengthened when we respect and honor spiritual paths different than ours.

    1h 3m

  4. 12/05/2025

    Wil and Casey Catch up- Garments, Funerals, Authority October 2025

    Lots of changes in the church. We got together to discuss! Garments, Pres. Oaks, women becoming prophets, assuming authority, and some of my reconciliation with Pres. Nelson. And a discussion about D. Todd Christopherson and his family embracing his brother Tom's partner. (Keep in mind we are aware of the recent issue with Wade Christopherson but recorded this prior to that). Stick around to the end for the discussion about doubting your hate! Wil invites me back to church :)

    1h 15m

  5. 11/29/2025

    The Clawsons: Service Missions and Improvements for missionaries

    This episode with James and Lisa Clawson are serving as service mission leaders and are hoping to end the stigma against service mission experiences. We discuss the shifts that have happened, the stats that show transitioning to a service mission is most often a very positive experience. We also discuss including all the voices in ward council and when to speak up when something doesn’t feel right. We really enjoyed speaking with these two lovely humans.

    1h 12m

  6. 11/14/2025

    Section 132 Changed Our Lives Forever

    I had to scratch this itch about how much Polygamy has shaped our family.

    1h 19m

  7. 10/22/2025

    Melissa Mason- A journey between two faiths

    Today, we’re joined by the incredible and multitalented Melissa Mason. Wil and I had a hard time staying on task because there was so much we wanted to ask her, from her therapy practice, which includes Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and Sex Therapy, to her talents as a modern quilter and presenter, her commitment to social justice, her political science background from Notre Dame, and her current participation in the Living School. And, of course, we were eager just to hear her thoughtful perspectives on current affairs. In this episode, Melissa shares her story of growing up Catholic, losing her faith, joining the Latter-day Saints, and eventually re-embracing elements of her original tradition. We deeply appreciated her candor, intellect, and insight and we hope you will too.

    59 min

  8. 09/06/2025

    Greg Jensen- Can we do humanitarian work better?

    Today, we’ve invited a close friend of mine who has been living in Guatemala for the last 14 years and during that time he and others became deeply involved in humanitarian work. He shares what he has learned—and unlearned—over the years to help us better understand how to address humanitarian issues in meaningful ways. Back in 2019, while our family was living in Guatemala and closely connected with Greg’s family, news broke that the Church was sitting on roughly $100 billion (and growing). Like many others, I found myself wondering, “Why aren’t we doing more with that money?” Yet as we’ll explore, addressing these questions is far more complex than simply throwing money at a problem. Also, We’ve mentioned before that we’ll be taking a group of 15–19 year olds down to Guatemala next February 25. We’ll touch more on that at the end of the episode, so if you’re interested in an experience that could be transformative for both youth and parents, be sure to stick around.

    1h 16m
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4.8
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An attempt to find a middle ground in the Mormon experience.

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