Mormon Stories Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Losing a Child After Losing Mormon Faith w/ Jennie Latham Johnson | Ep. 2019 May 12, 2025

Show notes

In this deeply moving and raw interview, Jennie shares her powerful life story—from growing up in a strict Mormon household to breaking free from the expectations that shaped her identity. She opens up about her parents’ conversions, her challenging marriage, the emotional toll of purity culture, and her gradual disillusionment with the church.

Jennie also recounts the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Izzy, and how grief reshaped her spirituality and perspective on life. Through it all, she finds resilience, healing, and the courage to choose herself.

A story of love, loss, faith, and transformation you won't forget.

Topics Include:

-Childhood in a devout LDS family

-Marriage, purity culture, and incompatibilities in marriage

-Crisis of faith and discovering church history

-Navigating grief after the loss of her daughter

Subscribe for more real stories about faith, loss, and rebuilding.

Show Notes can be found on the Mormon Stories Blog here.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

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Our Adult Mormon Daughter Lost Her Faith! w/ Neal & Christa Rackleff | Ep. 2018 May 08, 2025

Show notes

In this emotional and deeply honest episode, Eve and her parents, Neal and Christa, share their powerful story of faith, devotion, awakening, and transformation. Raised in a multi-generational Mormon household, Eve and her family lived and breathed the teachings of the LDS Church—until the cracks began to show.

From Neal’s time as a bishop and Christa’s strong belief in Mormon womanhood, to Eve’s mission and eventual faith transition, this conversation explores:

The impact of religious upbringing and cultural expectations

The emotional toll of unaddressed questions and historical issues

How Gospel Topics Essays, polyandry, and the church’s lack of transparency triggered a faith crisis

Eve’s pivotal role in helping her parents deconstruct their beliefs

The cost—and freedom—of walking away

Heartfelt, raw, and eye-opening, this interview shines a light on the complexity of leaving a high-demand religion and finding connection, purpose, and joy on the other side.

Show Notes can be found on the Mormon Stories Blog here.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

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Questioning Mormon Learns REAL Truth about Joseph Smith w/ John Dehlin and Carah Burrell | Ep. 2017 May 05, 2025

Show notes

Join us as we revisit this epic interview with John Dehlin and Carah Burrell, which originally aired on Carah's channel in 2023.

Eve, a good friend of Carah Burrell's, was an active and faithful member of the LDS Church at the time of this interview. She had begun to question aspects of the Church—particularly polygamy—and agreed to sit down with Carah and John for a truly unique conversation. In this interview, they simply presented her with factual information about LDS history and captured her real-time reactions.

This one-of-a-kind interview is now being shared on Mormon Stories Podcast for the very first time. Be sure to join us later this week as Eve returns to the podcast—this time with both of her parents, who have experienced their own faith journeys since Eve's original interview two years ago.

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What do Mormons Believe About God? - Mormon Stories Live! (Call-in Show) | Ep. 2016 May 02, 2025

Show notes

Join us for our first live video call-in show! The topic: "What do Mormons Believe About God?"

We will be briefly reviewing my essay that can be found here: https://johndehlin.substack.com/p/what-do-mormons-believe-about-god

Then we would love some of our audience to join us to discuss any of the following topics:

What they were taught as Mormons about God.
What they think about the Mormon version of God.
What they believe about God.

We will be joined by dear friends Kolby and Cam Reddish.

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Canadian Couple Leaves Mormon Church - Ben and Justine Jalaff Pt. 2 | Ep. 2015 May 01, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful continuation of our interview with Ben and Justine, we explore their raw and honest journey from deep devotion in the LDS Church to personal awakening, heartbreak, and healing.

They share how their relationship grew during Justine’s school years, navigating early marriage, financial and gender-role challenges, and the burden of trying to live up to faith-based ideals. From motherhood identity struggles to confronting doctrinal issues and discovering their voices during a faith crisis, this episode is full of vulnerable, eye-opening moments.

Highlights include:

Gender roles & pressure in Mormonism
The cost of silence during a faith crisis
The CES Letter, LDS Discussions & uncovering hard truths
Healing from betrayal, rebuilding marriage & reconnecting with family
Their plea for empathy from believing members

Whether you're in faith, out of faith, or somewhere in between—this is a story about agency, partnership, and finding truth together.

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Show Notes⁠

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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.

Our overall mission is to:

Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

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A Canadian Mormon Story - Ben and Justine Jalaff Pt. 1 | Ep. 2014 Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Justine share their powerful and emotional journeys through Mormonism, immigration, family trauma, and healing. They discuss Ben's family's escape from political turmoil, their struggles with loss, and the lure of the Mormon doctrine of eternal families.

Ben faces racial and cultural challenges within the Church, battles self-worth issues, and grapples with the harm purity culture and missionary service caused.

Justine recounts her own upbringing in a strict Mormon household, the pressure of modesty culture, and the way Mormon ideals shaped her relationships and sense of self.

Together, they reflect on how they met, the impact of internalized racism, and their path toward authenticity, healing, and love — even as they confront the pain Mormonism left behind.

This is part 1 of a very special two-part Mormon Stories interview.

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Ten Things TO DO In Your Faith Deconstruction | Ep. 2013 Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful follow-up conversation, Britt Hartley returns to explore 10 practical and emotional steps to take during your faith deconstruction journey. From embracing anger and grief, to rediscovering your identity, setting boundaries, and finding peace in the unknown—this episode is a guide to healing, growth, and transformation.

Whether you're newly questioning or deep in the process, these insights will help you navigate deconstruction with compassion and clarity.

Topics include:

-Grieving your old beliefs

-Embracing uncertainty

-Inner child & shadow work

-Building authentic community

-Setting loving boundaries

-Learning to just be

Join us as we unpack the deep emotional layers of deconstruction and the tools that can truly support your journey.

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Mormon Relief Society President Resigns - Jennifer Jeppson Wilson | Ep. 2012 Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Jennifer Wilson shares her deeply personal journey from growing up in a devout Mormon family to questioning, deconstructing, and ultimately leaving her faith. She opens up about her family's polygamist history, her mission experience, marriage, leadership roles in the church, and the struggles that came with navigating faith transitions. From grappling with church expectations to finding newfound freedom and clarity, Jennifer reflects on how this journey has reshaped her identity, marriage, and parenting.

Key Topics Covered: Growing up in a Mormon household & family history, missionary experiences & gender expectations in the church, marriage, motherhood & church leadership roles, doubts, faith crisis & leaving the church, Raising kids outside of Mormonism & rediscovering identity.

Join us for an honest, heartfelt conversation about faith, change, and self-discovery. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

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Ten Things NOT to Do In Your Faith Deconstruction - Britt Hartley | Ep. 2011 Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode (Ep. 2011) we explore with @nononsensespirituality founder Britt Hartley the common pitfalls people face during religious deconstruction. From navigating relationships and parenting outside of organized religion to the challenges of psychedelics, intellectualism, and identity loss—this is a raw, honest conversation about life after faith. Whether you're just beginning your journey or deep in it, this discussion offers insight, validation, and guidance.

Key topics covered:

- Why opening your marriage right after leaving religion may backfire

- How to provide structure for your kids without religion

- The psychedelic trap & chasing spiritual highs

- The “missionary phase” of ex-belief systems

- Finding meaning beyond religion, without clinging to new dogmas

- The lifelong process of deconstruction

- And much more, including Gen Z dating, chakras, free will, and dreams.

Don’t miss her reflections on what she’s learned, what to avoid, and how to move forward with integrity and openness.

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Mormon Women ECSTATIC about Garments Change | Ep. 2010 Apr 15, 2025

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After nearly two centuries of strict modesty standards, the Mormon Church has made a historic change—women’s garments now allow for exposed shoulders. In this in-depth panel, Mormon women unpack the significance of this shift. From the garments' Masonic roots and historical designs to the ways they’ve shaped modesty culture, sexuality, and control over women's bodies, this conversation dives deep. The panel also explores the social media response, health concerns, and the ongoing discomfort many women still face. With personal stories, historical context, and commentary on the new designs, this is a must-watch discussion on a topic rarely spoken about so openly.

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