All Out in the Open

Latest Episodes:

A Gay Brazilian's Take on Rainbows, Raindrops, and Divine Identity (with Icaro Paraguassú) May 13, 2025

Show notes

OUT and About: Iese Wilson sits down with Icaro Paraguassú, who shares his experiences as a gay Latter-Day Saint from Brazil. They discuss faith, identity, diversity, and the need for resources that reach every language and culture.
Icaro reflects on the rainbow as both a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and a covenant with God, and how we each reflect the light of Christ in our own way. His rainbow pin opens conversations and offers quiet reassurance to those seeking belonging.
From a mission in Argentina to a leadership academy in the Czech Republic, Icaro’s story is a reminder that while our paths may differ, we’re all journeying back to the same heavenly home.

How Two Parents Built What They Were Praying to Find (with Sara & Bryce Cook) May 06, 2025

Show notes

In this heartfelt episode of ALL Together, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Bryce and Sara Cook, parents of two gay sons and founding members of ALL (Arizona LDS LGBT). After their sons came out, Bryce and Sara felt called to speak up, build bridges, and foster community. They hosted support groups in their home and organized an annual conference for LGBTQ+ individuals and families navigating faith and identity. Their efforts laid the foundation for many of the other groups and events we’ve highlighted in previous episodes of the podcast.
Bryce and Sara share the powerful story of their family’s journey and discuss how parents also have their own “coming out” process—one of unlearning and rediscovering what it means to love like Christ.

Ben Reflects on Being Denied a Temple Recommend (with Ben & Charlie) Apr 29, 2025

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This month on OPEN Up, Ben shares a deeply personal story about navigating the reactions of his local Church leadership after he performed a same-sex wedding.
Ben and Charlie discuss the scrutiny that LGBTQ+ Latter-Day Saints often face and how others Church members can help them feel seen.

How Gather Conference is Changing Lives (with Emilee Cutler & Spencer David Smith) Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of THE Exclusive, Ben Schilaty is joined by Emilee Cutler and Spencer David Smith to talk about the upcoming Gather Conference, taking place this June in Provo, Utah. Now in its third year, the conference creates a Christ-centered space where LGBTQ+ individuals and those who love them can connect, learn, and feel seen.
Emilee shares her personal journey from fear to peace as the mother of a gay son, and how listening to LGBTQ+ stories helped transform her heart. Spencer reflects on coming out at 27, navigating faith and identity, and the unexpected healing he found by volunteering at Gather Conference. Together, they explore how the conference fosters belonging, compassion, and hope.
To register for Gather Conference, please visit gather-conference.com.

Seeing Beyond the Stereotype (with Sean Nicholes) Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

This month on IN the Scriptures, Clare Dalton and Sean Nicholes—a gay Latter-day Saint, psychiatry resident, and member of the U.S. Air Force—explore Doctrine & Covenants 41-50.
In these sections, the early Saints were dealing with rumors both inside and outside the Church. Clare and Sean discuss how these stories help us learn to challenge stereotypes and love those who are different from us. When we discover our non-negotiables, we can live a life of integrity and purpose, relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ when we fall short. By our fruits, others will know our values and our hearts.

Merging Mexican Tradition with the Restored Gospel (with Liv Mendoza Haynes) Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

In this month’s episode of OUT and About, Iese Wilson sits down with Liv Mendoza Haynes, a queer, Mexican Latter-Day Saint. Liv shares how her unique intersection of identities shapes her spiritual journey.
Liv reflects on joining the Church and serving a full-time mission in Mexico—and the complex emotions of teaching people from her own cultural background. Blessed to be in a mixed-orientation marriage full of mutual love and respect, she reminds our listeners: each and every one of you deserve love, and we’re rooting for you to find it.

How to Love Your Neighbor (with Malissa Larson) Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

This week’s ALL Together guest Malissa Larson knows firsthand the power of community. A former homeless youth and first-generation college graduate, she worked her way through school and now serves as a Neighborhood Specialist for the City of Phoenix, helping to connect and uplift communities.
In the episode, Malissa discuses with Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto the importance of meeting people where they are—slowing down, speaking their language, and listening with intention. Real change comes from hope, not shame. By focusing on the dignity of others and finding safe spaces for ourselves, we can build bridges that lead to lasting impact.

We Need Allies More Than Ever (with Charlie & Ben) Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

OPEN Up: Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty tackle the overwhelming noise surrounding LGBTQ+ topics in the Church and society, sharing personal stories of feeling excluded, politicized or dehumanized. Those experiences can bring a lot of loneliness but also a deeper, more complex faith.
Loving God and loving our neighbor go hand in hand—Ben and Charlie ask us to ponder, what does it truly mean to love our LGBTQ+ neighbors? While individual acceptance doesn’t make up for structural exclusion, allies are needed to cut through the noise by standing up, sharing stories, and catching stones when necessary.

What Would Past Me Think of Current Me? (with Ady & Cora Johnson) Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

This week on IN the Scriptures, Clare Dalton sits down with Ady and Cora Johnson—returned missionaries, newlyweds, adventurers and active members of the Church. They dive into Doctrine and Covenants 29-40, exploring how God asks us to leave parts of our old selves behind. As we change, we may grieve the life we thought we’d live, but there is also incredible joy in becoming who we’re meant to be.

Finding Belonging as a Gay Samoan (with Wallace Pelesasa) Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of OUT and About, Iese Wilson interviews Wallace Pelesasa—a fellow Samoan and gay Latter-Day Saint.
Growing up in a large family, Wallace attended church mainly to appease his father. His testimony didn’t truly ignite until his military service, where he met people whose faith inspired him. As he built a relationship with God, Wallace also embraced his own identity and discovered his mission to build bridges between the LGBTQ+ community and his Samoan church congregation. His efforts remind us that true harmony comes when we embrace differences.

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