Inside Out with Jim Bennett and Ian Wilks

Latest Episodes:

The Scotland Edinburgh Mission Part II: Tracting with the Spencers - and more! Sep 05, 2023

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Ian and Jim continue to recount their experiences in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission from 1987-1989. Beware of missionary couples with racist nicknames for Brazil nuts!

The Scotland Edinburgh Mission Aug 29, 2023

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Ian and Jim recount their time in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission in the late 1980s.

Protecting Children Aug 22, 2023

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This episode is a discussion from the Mormonish podcast about recent changes in the UK's child protection laws and how they impact the Church. It features both Ian and Jim, as well as Mormonish's Rebecca Biblioteca and Landon Brophy, and a special appearance by Sam Young, who fought to keep Church leaders from asking sexually explicit questions in youth interviews.

The Policy of Exclusion Aug 14, 2023

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Ian and Jim discuss the public and personal impact of the 2015 Church handbook policy that denied blessings and baptism to the children of gay parents.

Growth Aug 07, 2023

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Is the Church growing? What can be done to help it grow? Ian and Jim explore the stats, cask the hard questions, and come up with some possible answers. (Spoiler: counting baptisms for the dead as church growth is not the answer.)

Ian on the Way Out Jul 31, 2023

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Ian recounts the heartbreaking and compelling circumstances that led him from serving in a stake presidency to leaving the Church.

Ian's Story: The Perils of Leadership Jul 25, 2023

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We continue with Ian Wilks's personal story, which involves his return from his mission and his call into church leadership. This touches on many of the themes we've explored in depth in previous episodes.

Contention, Division, and Schism Jul 17, 2023

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Jim recounts his contentious exchange with another podcaster and discusses the contention within the Church that has driven him off of Twitter. Ian and Jim then discuss the divisions within the Church that fall upon theological and political lines. How much do these divisions damage the Church? And could they lead to a significant schism at some point down the road?

Ian's Mission: Trauma and Triumph Jul 11, 2023

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Ian's story continues as he discusses his mission in Scotland, which is where Ian and Jim met. They commiserate over a particularly difficult mutual companion, and Jim recounts trauma that has spilled over to the next generation. There's also a dead cat, a practicing witch, and the incredible healing properties of Ian's used bathwater.

Ian's Story: Part III - The Temple and the Beginning of the Mission Jul 03, 2023

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In this episode, Ian recounts his first experience going through the temple and goes on to discuss the beginning of his mission - and both Ian and Jim recount stories of what happens when missionaries tracting in a cold, wet country find themselves sitting in front of a roaring fire after a long day.