At Last She Said It

Dr. Julie Hanks, owner and executive director of Wasatch Family Therapy in Salt Lake City, joins Cynthia and Susan for a discussion about authority. How do we navigate the tension we sometimes experience between the general counsel of Church leaders, and the personal revelation we receive as stewards of our own lives?

In the first episode of Season 2, Cynthia and Susan consider some of the burdens women carry—in their hearts, their minds, and their bodies—and discuss Mary, the mother of Jesus. She bore an unimaginable weight, but about her remarkable personal journey we have only a few precious clues.

Jeralee is joined by dear friend Carol Lynn Pearson for a poetry reading and exploration of her new collection, Finding Mother God.

In this bonus episode, Cynthia traces some of the growth she has experienced as a result of periods of sustained grieving. Looking back now, she can see how grief turned out to be a teacher she never wanted, and never knew she needed.

As a Latter-day Saint woman, it can be hard to separate the men from the labels that define their place in the Church. In this bonus episode, Susan attempts to untangle and explain her complex relationship with both.

In this bonus episode, Cynthia and Susan wrap up the first season with a top ten list, some listener feedback, and a season two teaser: a call for women to contribute their stories and experiences on upcoming topics.

Cynthia and Susan are joined by Jeralee for a discussion of agency. If we believe it's a foundational component of the plan, why is it sometimes so hard to honor? Can shifting our thinking about agency improve the way we make decisions for ourselves, and help us better love and support others in their choices?

There are as many beliefs, experiences, and ideas as there are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this episode we meet Heather, a woman who brings her unique brand of enthusiasm, spiritual confidence, and professional expertise to people around the world, doing work that transforms lives as a highly specialized humanitarian aid volunteer.

How does fear function in our church teachings, culture, conversations, and relationships? If fear doesn't work to change hearts, why do we continue to try it as a motivator? Can it fuel personal growth? A favorite talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf provides the starting point for a discussion of what we might gain individually and collectively by leading with love rather than fear.

Our spiritual ideas, practices, and answers might serve us well for many years—even for a lifetime. We don't need more until we realize we don't have enough. Cynthia and Susan discuss asking new questions, changing old patterns, and finding space to connect with God in unfamiliar ways.