Mormon Stories Podcast

Updated after listening to around 100 episodes – I still believe this is a solid podcast, and truth be told I run to listen to newly dropped episodes. However, there are some small but disturbingly problematic issues. The hosts consistently promote pornography, and other social ills (drugs/alcohol/ swinging/promescuity) that harm women and are deeply misogynistic. It seems that if the LDS church is against something, they are automatically for it, even if it flies in the face of their own profession of feminism and universal values. I cannot square this with their alleged support of women. While not every episode covers these topics, they are frequent enough to be deeply troubling. I still listen, but with serious skepticism that these hosts are as morally upright as they profess to be and definitely take what they say, with a large grain of salt. (Original review) I am technically a never-Mormon, though my best friend growing up was LDS and I spent 3 teen years entrenched with their family and ward, so I feel comfortable in the Mormon culture. I found this pod through John’s appearance on A Little Bit Culty and am fascinated by it. It’s very thought provoking even for this Catholic never-Mormon. There have been a some especially touching and beautiful stories and it is a rich tapestry of human experience. The guests are strong and so brave to be this vulnerable.

Never change the long form! Also loving getting more Gerardo lately. Always look forward to hearing his perspective and thoughts and am so glad he has this platform. Just speak a little louder into the mic, Gerardo! Your deeper voice makes it a little harder to hear compared to your peers and we want to hear your thoughts! Keep it up, team!

I used to be a high performing christian who now lives in Utah. There are many parallels to my own deconstruction and exit from religion found in these podcasts. The two religions sound very different but deconstruction and the feeedom found outside of theology has strong similarities. I think it’s the first podcast Ive found that handles a decline in faith and leaving a faith with thoughtful and supportive hosts. It can be triggering so you need to be in a good space. The occasional ‘amens’ catch me off guard and make me a bit nauseous. But otherwise it’s very sensitive.

When I listen to this podcast I hear the host posture his questions so that if you answer them you either sound like a victim or a complete idiot/fool. I listened to the stick of Joseph episode and the Richard bushman interviews all the way through and that is what I’ve found in those (probably more likely for the non- returning interviewees than his made up theory). I usually have to just turn other episodes off due to the posturing of his questions. In the stick of Joseph episode I hear him speak/describe himself as an anti-Christ not “the anti-Christ” just someone who doesn’t believe in a need for an atonement, basically no reason for Jesus’s suffering. As a person who has lived in the south for a majority of my life (transplanted from California from convert parents) I see nothing new or enlightening about most of his arguments. Most of his sentiments are anti-religion but mostly anti his birth religion. I’ve seen “God Makers” with my dad when I was 18. Yeah a bunch of half beliefs and music added to make the beliefs sound “culty” temple rituals made to look demonic (yes I know that the temple ceremony has changed a lot) and as a result of this movie I’ve had several people dehumanize me and insult me in so many ways from slamming doors in my face to threatening to burn teabags in my locker. I’m always amazed by peoples reactions after I tell them I’m a Mormon or a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But you won’t hear my Interview on here. Is it the kind of interview he would give? I do believe informed consent is best, but when do you teach your child about penetration? There is so much other information available if you don’t want it straight off the church website there is scripturecentral.org, faithmatters.org, northstarsaints.org but I would definitely not recommend this show to others. I do give the show two stars though because he sometimes has guests that are really interesting. Just as an aside, I thought it was interesting that in the stick of Joseph interview, Joseph Smith is such a fraud but can also be compared to renowned author Theadore Gisele (but this was stated in a negative light by the host) go figure. At least if you liked and grew up on Theadore Gisele’s books you may like the Book of Mormon according to the host. Or maybe the host is suggesting national literary awards get named after Joseph Smith. Y’all have fun now.