Blame it on Mel

meldegroot
  • 3.3 (40)
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Raw. Unfiltered. Outrageously honest. Mel grew up in a world where private jets met hay bales, where religion meant control, and where silence was expected — until she burned the whole script. From Mormon housewife raising five kids with her husband in the bishopric, to walking away from the church, to rebuilding life with scandalous stories no one else dares to say out loud… this is where the “did she really just say that?” moments live. Every episode is a shot of truth with no chaser — sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, always unapologetic. New episodes drop weekly.

  1. 4h ago

    Katie Harman: But Mom, You Said That Was a Sin

    What happens when you burn the Mormon playbook… but your kids still remember the rules? 🔥 Katie, my very first podcast guest, is back on Blame It on Mel! One year later, we’re catching up on leaving Mormonism, personal growth, parenting, dating, and everything we’ve learned through our ups, downs, successes, and failures. We get honest about raising kids in a small town where everyone has an opinion—and how hard it is for our kids to adjust when we want a different life than the one we taught them to follow. Sometimes we’re growing up right alongside them. Katie is dating while her oldest daughter is dating. Apparently, nobody gets to skip the awkward stage. 😂 And we talk Burning Man: how my first burn helped me evolve, how Katie’s years on the playa keep changing her, and why feeling accepted without judgment was such a breath of fresh air. Leaving a high-control religion, rewriting the rules of motherhood, and rediscovering yourself doesn’t come with an instruction manual. So we’re talking about the messy parts, too. What’s one rule you taught your kids that you no longer believe yourself? 👇 Hot topics💋 Leaving Mormonism • Ex-Mormon Women • Religious Deconstruction • Life After Mormonism • High-Control Religion • Burning Man • Self-Discovery • Personal Growth • Parenting After Religion • Small-Town Parenting • Mom Guilt • Dating After Mormonism • Mother-Daughter Dating • Breaking Generational Patterns • Reinventing Yourself • Blame It on Mel Podcast

  2. Sep 19

    From Provo Canyon to Copper Hills: Inside Utah’s Troubled Teen Industry

    Parents are told they’re sending their child somewhere safe to heal. But what happens when someone who worked inside says the system itself may be causing harm? In this episode of Blame It on Mel, I sit down with Sarah Serrato, a former Behavioral Tech at Copper Hills Youth Center. Sarah says she was fired after questioning treatment practices and advocating for the kids in her care. She shares what she says she personally witnessed inside the facility—from chronic understaffing and monitored phone calls to medication practices, restraints, lack of privacy, and serious allegations involving resident safety. We also discuss the troubled teen industry in Utah, Paris Hilton’s highly publicized experience at Provo Canyon School, and why parents sending children hundreds of miles from home may have little visibility into what happens behind locked doors. Sarah is speaking publicly about what she says she witnessed—and why she ultimately decided she could no longer stay silent. This episode contains allegations and personal accounts that may not have been independently verified. Copper Hills Youth Center and other parties discussed may dispute some of the claims presented.

  3. Aug 21

    Ex-Mormon the Musical: John & Rachelle Moyer

    John Moyer wrote some of the most recognizable movies in Mormon culture, including The Singles Ward, The RM, and Mormons and Mobsters. Now John and his wife, Rachelle, have taken their Mormon deconstruction and turned it into something completely different: 20 original songs for their new project, Joseph Smith Presents: Ex-Mormon the Musical. In this episode of Blame It on Mel, John and Rachelle share what happened when the people who once helped make Mormon culture funny began questioning the religion behind it. We get into: • Behind the scenes of The Singles Ward, The RM, and Mormons and Mobsters • What Mormon movies revealed about LDS culture• Why joking about Mormon culture was acceptable—but questioning doctrine was off limits • John and Rachelle’s journey out of Mormonism • The emotional reality of deconstructing a lifelong belief system • Religious guilt, judgment, mental health, and relationships after leaving • Using humor as a way to process religious trauma • Rebuilding their identities and spirituality outside organized religion • Exploring astrology and spirituality after Mormonism • How John and Rachelle created 20 songs for Joseph Smith Presents: Ex-Mormon the Musical • How AI and technology became part of their creative process • Turning some of the most painful parts of deconstruction into comedy, music, and storytelling Their new musical project takes the things you weren't supposed to question and puts them into songs—using humor to explore Mormon history, culture, belief, deconstruction, and life on the other side. Find the music and learn more about Joseph Smith Presents: Ex-Mormon the Musical at JosephSmith.com. This conversation isn't simply about why John and Rachelle left Mormonism. It's about what happens when you finally give yourself permission to examine the story you've been given—and then start writing your own music about it. If you grew up Mormon, did you watch The Singles Ward, The RM, or Mormons and Mobsters? And what Mormon experience deserves its own song? Subscribe to Blame It on Mel for conversations about Mormonism, deconstruction, religious culture, cults, trauma, healing, humor, and rebuilding life on your own terms.

  4. Aug 8

    Audra: How Moving Overseas Helped Her See Mormonism Clearly

    The Mormon script tells women to obey first, question later, and call it faith. Audra Phelps reveals what happens when you finally step back, see the conditioning clearly, and realize the life you built was never fully yours. After 13 years overseas and a decade of questioning, Audra shares the deeply personal story behind leaving the church, from growing up in a high-pressure CES family in Southern California to getting kicked out of BYU, marrying young, and slowly unraveling the beliefs that shaped her identity as a wife, mother, and woman.We break down the moments that changed everything: the dehumanizing experience of needing church approval to feed her kids, the panic attacks that pushed her to question her life, and the shock of seeing the 2015 exclusion policy for children of gay parents and finally saying, “I am not Mormon.” Audra also opens up about the role of travel, different religions, and raising children outside the Mormon script. You’ll discover how she rebuilt her identity through NLP, emotional regulation, and a family mission statement, plus the practical questions every former Mormon mom wrestles with - marriage, parenting, perfectionism, boundaries, alcohol, garments, and what it means to choose your own values instead of inheriting them. This conversation is for anyone untangling Mormon conditioning, rebuilding after faith deconstruction, or trying to parent and partner without the pressure of a church-defined template. Audra’s story is honest, sharp, and unexpectedly hopeful - proof that you can leave the rules behind and still build a meaningful, peaceful life.Audra Phelps is a former school director and current coach for ex-Mormon moms. Through her Reclaimed program, her masterclass, and one-on-one coaching, she helps women reconnect with themselves, trust their own judgment, and create a life that feels aligned.Perfect for former Mormons, questioning members, and anyone ready to stop living for everyone else and start living on their own terms. Find Audra at https://mamaaudra.com

  5. Jul 24

    Amy’s journey of healing and self-discovery

    What happens when the beliefs that shaped your entire identity no longer align with your lived experience? In this powerful episode of Blame It on Mel, Amy shares her deeply personal journey of joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a convert, rising into leadership, and ultimately finding the courage to walk away. Together, we explore the emotional, psychological, and cultural impact of high-demand religion, religious trauma, and the long road to healing. Amy opens up about the love-bombing she experienced as a new convert, the pressure to conform, temple experiences that left her feeling unworthy, and the heartbreak of discovering church history and doctrines that challenged everything she believed. She also shares how therapy, self-reflection, and reclaiming her own voice helped her rebuild a life grounded in authenticity rather than fear. This conversation isn’t about attacking faith—it’s about giving space to one woman’s lived experience, asking difficult questions, and encouraging honest dialogue around religious trauma, identity, and healing. In this episode, we discuss: Growing up outside Mormonism and converting as a young adult Love-bombing, belonging, and the pressure to conform Temple experiences and feelings of shame and unworthiness Church culture, leadership, and personal experiences of spiritual abuse The emotional impact of losing her brother and navigating grief within the church Discovering difficult aspects of LDS history and early church teachings Religious trauma, therapy, and the healing process Rebuilding identity after leaving a high-demand religion Learning self-worth beyond religious expectations Finding freedom, authenticity, and hope after Mormonism Every story deserves to be heard. Whether you’re an active member, someone who has left a high-demand religion, or simply curious about the experiences of others, this episode offers an honest conversation about faith, loss, resilience, and healing. Hot Topics💋 Mormonism • LDS Church • Religious Trauma • Faith Deconstruction • Ex-Mormon • Temple Worthiness • Spiritual Abuse • High-Demand Religion • Church History • Polygamy • CES Letter • Mental Health • Therapy • Brainspotting • Healing from Religion • Identity • Shame • Self-Worth • Cult Recovery • Leaving the LDS Church • Women in Mormonism • Blame It on Mel

  6. Jul 2

    Mike Fuller:  From Seminary Teacher to Sex Therapist

    What happens when a returned missionary, temple-married seminary teacher, and Church employee starts reading the very documents meant to defend the LDS Church—and discovers they raise more questions than answers? In this episode of Blame It on Mel, we sit down with a former LDS seminary teacher who dedicated his life to teaching Mormon doctrine before eventually leaving his career, rebuilding his life, and becoming a certified sex therapist. We discuss what it’s like to teach the Gospel Topics Essays, the CES Letter, and church history from the inside, what finally changed his mind, and why purity culture continues to impact marriages long after people leave high-demand religion. We also dive into: Life as a returned missionary and temple marriage Teaching seminary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Gospel Topics Essays vs. the CES Letter Church history that surprised even a church educator Losing a church career after faith deconstruction Religious trauma and sexual shame Mormon purity culture and its impact on intimacy Why so many LDS couples struggle with sex—even after marriage Healing after leaving Mormonism What healthy sexuality actually looks like The biggest myths former Mormons believe about sex Rebuilding relationships after faith transitions Whether you’re an active Latter-day Saint, questioning your faith, navigating a mixed-faith marriage, or recovering from religious trauma, this conversation offers compassion, insight, and practical tools for healing. Subscribe to Blame It on Mel for honest conversations about Mormonism, deconstruction, purity culture, relationships, and rebuilding life after high-control religion. https://www.fullercounselinggroup.com/

  7. Jun 19

    Mariana Nadworna on Black Mormons, Church History, and Healing

    Mariama grew up a Black Mormon in the UK. Served a mission. Defended the LDS Church. Then she started asking questions. This week on Blame It On Mel, Mariama shares her journey out of Mormonism after reading the CES Letter, the trauma from having a racist mission trainer, confronting the Church’s history of racism, and realizing that many of the explanations she was given as a Black member caused lasting harm. We discuss Mormon racism, the priesthood and temple ban on Black members, teachings of church doctrine about becoming “white and delightsome,” Church accountability, and why she believes racism in the LDS Church is not just history—it’s still affecting members today because it has never been fully addressed or apologized for. Mariama also shares her concerns about the LDS Church’s rapid growth in Africa, including missionary efforts in Nigeria, the role of tithing in impoverished communities, and whether potential converts are being given the full history of Black Mormon racism before joining. We also discuss a troubling experience after she requested no contact from the Church. Despite asking Bishops not to contact her minor child directly, missionaries continued showing up and asking to speak with her young child. The question remains: in what world is it appropriate for adult strangers to seek access to a minor after a parent has explicitly revoked permission? Silence doesn’t heal. The historical doctrine and mistreatment still shapes families, culture, and the lived experience of Black members. 🎙️ HOT TOPICS: • Black Mormons • Mormon racism • Race and Mormonism • LDS Church history • Priesthood ban • Temple ban • White and delightsome teachings • CES Letter • Gospel Topics Essays • Religious deconstruction • Ex-Mormon stories • Church accountability • Church transparency • Mormon Church in Africa • Nigeria missionary work • Tithing controversy • Faith crisis • Religious trauma • Missionary boundaries • Contacting minor children • Parent consent • Church culture • Racism in religion • Mormon Stories • John Dehlin • Leaving Mormonism

  8. Jun 5

    Annie Marie-Part 2

    Annie Marie became a viral sensation by turning the quirks, contradictions, and awkward moments of Mormon culture into comedy gold. Raised in the LDS Church by a Spanish mother who met her father on his mission, Annie grew up feeling like an outsider after her parents divorced—a reality that carried its own stigma in Mormon communities.In this episode, Annie shares hilarious and eye-opening stories about growing up LDS, from church worthiness interviews and public shame to sacrament meeting mishaps and feeling constantly monitored as a teenager. We discuss why some members seemed to get away with everything while others were scrutinized for every mistake, the embarrassment of losing sacrament privileges, and how entire wards seemed to know everyone’s business.We also dive into some of the most bizarre Mormon experiences many former members still laugh about today: baptisms for the dead, strict dress and grooming standards, worthiness interviews about coffee, masturbation, and “impure thoughts,” debates over crosses, women wearing pants, working mothers, and the cultural pressure to appear perfect.Annie explains why the blonde-wigged church leader in her viral skits resonates with so many people and how humor became her way of processing experiences that once felt confusing, embarrassing, and controlling.Whether you’re LDS, ex-Mormon, Mormon-adjacent, or simply fascinated by high-demand religions, this episode is packed with stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and say, “Wait… that actually happened?”

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3.3
out of 5
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About

Raw. Unfiltered. Outrageously honest. Mel grew up in a world where private jets met hay bales, where religion meant control, and where silence was expected — until she burned the whole script. From Mormon housewife raising five kids with her husband in the bishopric, to walking away from the church, to rebuilding life with scandalous stories no one else dares to say out loud… this is where the “did she really just say that?” moments live. Every episode is a shot of truth with no chaser — sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, always unapologetic. New episodes drop weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    meldegroot
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © meldegroot
  • Show Website
    Blame it on Mel

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