Hidden True Crime's Lauren Matthias Pt. 1 - Early Years and Journalism Career | Ep. 2040

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 daughterSubscribe 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.___________________Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠Our Platforms:⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Social Media:⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

12 Maj 3h 30min

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 expectationsThe emotional toll of unaddressed questions and historical issuesHow Gospel Topics Essays, polyandry, and the church’s lack of transparency triggered a faith crisisEve’s pivotal role in helping her parents deconstruct their beliefsThe cost—and freedom—of walking awayHeartfelt, 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.___________________Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠Our Platforms:⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Social Media:⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

8 Maj 3h 59min

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.___________________Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

5 Maj 1h 33min

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-godThen 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.___________________Show Notes⁠⁠YouTube ⁠Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

2 Maj 2h 35min

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 MormonismThe cost of silence during a faith crisisThe CES Letter, LDS Discussions & uncovering hard truthsHealing from betrayal, rebuilding marriage & reconnecting with familyTheir plea for empathy from believing membersWhether you're in faith, out of faith, or somewhere in between—this is a story about agency, partnership, and finding truth together.___________________Show Notes⁠⁠YouTube⁠At 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 theologySupport Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisisPromote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religionsMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms: YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:  Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

1 Maj 3h 5min

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.___________________Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

28 Apr 3h 33min

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 beJoin us as we unpack the deep emotional layers of deconstruction and the tools that can truly support your journey.___________________Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

24 Apr 1h 26min

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!___________________Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠Our Platforms:⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Social Media:⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

21 Apr 3h 52min