In this episode, Matt, Steve, and Jessica interview Tyler Christensen about being raised in the LDS church as a closeted gay kid and his subsequent journey coming out and finding solace in literature and Queer studies. 

K. Tyler Christensen is a Ph.D. Candidate in American Literature & Culture in the English Department at The George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC. There, he teaches Creative Writing and American Literature. Additionally, he’s an instructor in the Critical Race, Gender, & Culture Studies Collaborative at American University.

They discuss his experiences in conversion therapy and the long road to accepting himself. Tyler now dedicates his time to collaborating with his students as they explore the history of sexuality and its place in modern society. 

Highlights of the discussion: 

• Tyler’s background in writing and Literature (7:50)
• His upbringing in the LDS church (15:40)
• How he came out to his family (19:05)
• Tyler starts to question his faith around the time he went on his mission (23:06)
• How his relationship with his conversion therapist started (30:25)
• What Tyler finds interesting about the LDS church’s relationship with its gay members (40:41)
• The courses that he teaches and the impact it brings to him and his students (51:02)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic
• You can find out more about Tyler by visiting his website: ktylerc.com

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In this episode, Matt, Steve, and Jessica pick up where they left off last week regarding Hank's situation. 

Matt was surprised when Ann told him they were going to reveal the truth to Hank. He thought he had a couple of more years to plan the conversation that he wasn't Hank's biological father rather than just a few days.

They talk about how Matt prepared for that potentially life-altering conversation and how it went and the aftermath. They also discuss the questions and concerns that arose and how Hank dealt with the news. 

Jessica also announces her upcoming live lesson happening on September 30th to help those looking to renew and accomplish their 2020 goals.

Highlights of the discussion: 

• Steve shares his co-parenting story with a co-worker (04:05)
• Penny and Steve quarantine for a week (08:05)
• Getting the kids excited for virtual school (14:30)
• Matt’s feelings whether it was the right time to reveal to Hank that he wasn’t his biological father (18:24)
• How he explained the truth to Hank (23:30)
• Hank wonders who his biological father is (32:30)
• Steve and the Rainbow Rollers (34:20)
• The shift in Matt and Jessica’s relationship (38:40)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic
• Sign up for this month’s FREE live lesson here

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In this episode, Matt, Steve, and Jessica discuss when things really started to fall apart with Ann, Matt, and Jessica.

Co-parenting can be incredibly difficult. Especially when the parents involved struggle to communicate effectively. Matt and Jessica know this first hand in their experiences with Matt’s ex-wife. In previous episodes, they’ve alluded to the challenges that have come up, as a result, particularly involving Matt’s son Hank. 

They talk about the blowup fight Matt had with Ann over whether Hank would continue to go to church or even spend time at his Dad’s house and the regrets from that fight. And they touch on Ann’s decision to reveal that Matt isn’t Hank’s biological father and the fears Matt had about that revelation. 

Highlights of the discussion: 

• What’s been going on with Hank (8:30)
• Matt’s blow up fight with his ex-wife (11:25)
• This was the turning point that showed everyone’s true colors (17:55)
• Regrets from that fight (19:00)
• Decision made regarding Hank’s baptism (23:15)
• The call Matt had with Anne regarding not being Hank’s biological father (31:30)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic

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In this episode, Matt, Steve, and Jessica interview the Poor Bishop from last week's episode, Jerry Sturgill. Jerry has played a prominent role in each of their lives and encourages them to live boldly in all that they do. 

Today, he is sharing his viewpoint on the events of Steve and Jessica's relationship, and Matt and Jessica's. If you remember from last week, Jerry was the catalyst in Matt and Jessica finally facing their relationship problems. At his suggestion, they wait to seal their marriage in the temple until they had their issues sorted out. 

The conversation leads to Jerry sharing his one belief about his faith and why his goal is to share love with all people. He is no stranger to conversing with those outside his own belief system. His open and loving nature has brought a lot of light and love to those around him. He even joined Steve at a Pride Festival one year. 

Tune into this week's episode for more keen insight from Jerry on how he builds his life from a character of love and acceptance.  

Highlights of the discussion: 

• Matt, Steve, and Jessica’s individual relationship with Jerry Sturgill (02:04)
• The diversity present in the 13th ward (15:30)
• Matt’s relationship with Jerry was a blessing to everyone (22:50)
• Sometimes we miss opportunities for learning and sharing (27:18)
• Jerry helped save Jessica and Matt’s marriage (30:05)
• The evolution of Matt (38:15)
• You never know what people are struggling with (42:24)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic

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In this episode, Matt, Steve, and Jessica discuss the time Jessica decided to leave Matt. They examine the nature and complexities of entering a second marriage.

About a year after their marriage, they decided it was time to get sealed in the church. But at the time, they were going through some serious marital strain. Jessica felt as if Matt didn’t really care if they were together and struggled to connect with him. Matt was still actively dealing with the pain from his first marriage and had issues separating his first wife from his new relationship with Jessica.

At the Bishop’s instruction, the two had to hold off on getting sealed until their marital issues were resolved. This decision caused them to have to confront their issues head-on and led to Jessica leaving Matt. 

Even when she returned, it took a lot of time for things to get better as they navigated learning how to trust one another. Tune into today’s episode to find out how it all played out. 

Highlights of the discussion: 

• Husband In Law is also a soap opera (3:00)
• When Steve broke his foot (9:13)
• The process of getting sealed in the LDS church (16:30)
• The feelings surrounding Matt and Jessica preparing to get sealed (21:38)
• Jessica leaves Matt (30:45)
• Going into protection mode (37:29)
• Taking the next step and purchasing a house (42:16)
• How Steve internalized Matt and Jessica’s relationship issues (47:46)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic

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In this episode, Matt, Steve, and Jessica have a conversation with Chelsie Dort. Chelsie runs a popular blog and Instagram account dedicated to all things related to family life. Her content often refers to her experiences, raising a blended and biracial family.

Chelsie’s oldest child is from her first marriage and youngest three from her current one. Unfortunately, though her first marriage ended due to infidelity, she does not regret the experience at all. Through that challenge, she was able to learn so much about herself. 

Growing up in Utah, Chelsie was raised in a predominately white area. Her first encounters with racial tension didn’t occur until she began dating her now-husband. She has had to confront her own experiences with white privilege and navigate, raising her biracial children. 

Matt, Steve, and Jessica discuss all things co-parenting and how she manages the daily demands of an active family. She also offers some great insight into what dealing with different parenting styles can look like and how to build strong ties and relationships between family members. 

Highlights of the discussion: 

• Introduction to Chelsie (02:04)
• Dealing with infidelity (04:15)
• Being in a biracial relationship(08:06)
• Experiencing racism for the first time (11:40)
• Chelsie’s account of her experience with white privilege (16:22)
• Bedford’s relationship with Chelsie’s oldest son (20:21)
• How Bedford and Chelsie’s parenting styles are similar and different (24:34)
• What it is like co-parenting Jack with her ex (29:01)
• Advice for those going through a co-parenting issue (42:47)
• A lesson for us and our listeners regarding navigating race relations (47:30)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic
• Find Chelsie here and IG @Lifewiththedorts

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In this episode, Matt, Jessica, and Steve discuss the importance of sticking to your guns. It can be difficult to adhere to your values as a parent especially when they’re continually being challenged. 

There are always challenges to overcome when raising a blended family. The influence of multiple parental figures can present new obstacles and modes of communication. Jessica reflects on a time she felt she didn’t stick to her guns and dealt with intense guilt over it. 

When their blended family was in the early days of bonding, Jessica and Matt would often host sleepovers for all of the kids. It was a great time to get together as a family, and they have great memories of those times. Jessica had always held a personal rule that no sleepovers were allowed regardless of the circumstances. She felt strongly about this choice and never questioned her stance on it.

Except for the time she decided to let Penny sleepover at her step-siblings house. She wanted to show that she was trusting and open, but her decision left her anxious and disappointed. Tune in to the episode to find out how she navigated the situation.

Highlights of the Discussion: 

• Potato hotel (4:09)
• Driving was the precursor to social media (9:08)
• A big turning point in Steve’s life (18:21)
• Having all the kids together under one roof (25:29)
• Learning to stick to your guns (30:27)
• How Steve, Jessica, and Matt handled sleepovers as kids (32:30)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic
• For more information on how to join Jessica’s Be Bold course check out www.beboldcourse.com/bebold 

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In this episode, Matt, Jessica, and Steve talk about their experiences with Steve introducing his new boyfriend to them. Navigating their unique relationship continues to present interesting scenarios in each of their lives. 

The dynamic Steve, Jessica, and Matt share is undoubtedly fascinating. They tend to be reminded of this whenever inviting anyone new into the fold in the form of relationships. Though he is happy to have such supportive friendships with Jessica and Matt, Steve has often been apprehensive about introducing new partners to them. They spend time unpacking why that is in this episode.

Steve believes there is a delicate balance when preserving the family unit and has tended to compartmentalize his romantic life with his familial one. Often, Jessica is the one to reach out and make a connection whenever Steve has a new boyfriend. They discuss why they feel it’s essential to have open communication and how to navigate friendships and relationships in a way that helps keep their family healthy and happy. 

Highlights of the Discussion: 

• Being open to different paths and the lesson of openmindedness(3:42)
• Steve’s first relationship after Jessica and Matt got married (8:05)
• World’s colliding when there are interconnected relationships (17:00)
• What it was like for Jessica to meet Steve’s new boyfriend (21:20)
• How Steve dealt with his own judgments and insecurities. (27:17)
• The work that has to be done to ensure Steve and Jessica continue to have a strong relationship (34:14)
• How Matt makes other people feel comfortable upon meeting them (39:36)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic
• For more information on how to join Jessica’s Be Bold course check out www.beboldcourse.com/bebold 

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In this episode, Matt, Jessica, and Steve discuss Steve’s recent encounter with harassment at his work. A guest at his hotel spoke in a derogatory manner to one of the staff, which led to Steve confronting the guest and kicking him out. The guest used slurs against Steve, which led to how people are treated based on appearance. 

As a gay man, Steve is often the subject of attention, and sometimes it can be negative. The three of them muse on the instances when it isn’t negative and how he is often given more compliments due to his “approachableness.” They decide that for whatever reason, whenever someone is considered a bit different from the rest, it lends to others feeling more comfortable to offer compliments and strike up a conversation. 

This leads to them discussing the overall nature of compliments and how to give them appropriately. Jessica also mentions the importance of receiving a compliment well. 

It is so important to claim our identity and an important part of that lies in accepting compliments.

Accepting our identity and living boldly and confidently is a precursor to joy. Jessica describes how the goal of her new course is to empower people to do that.  

Highlights of the Discussion: 

• Steve deals with an issue of harassment at his work (2:05)
• Questioning whether he would have changed anything about the situation (7:02)
• What assumptions do we carry around with us? (13:00)
• This makes people more approachable (16:50)
• A good reminder to keep (23:17)
• Sometimes things have to change (25:30)
• Dealing with stupid comments (30:30)
• Joy can be hard for people to identify (35:05)
• Discussing different views of work (42:30)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic
• For more information on how to join Jessica’s Be Bold course check out www.beboldcourse.com/bebold 

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In this episode, Matt, Jessica, and Steve interview Charlie Bird, a gay active member of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. Charlie is most famously known as the BYU mascot, Cosmo the Cougar. He gained notoriety for his impressive dance skills and many of his video clips have gone viral. 

Since his time at BYU, Charlie has become an advocate for LGBTQ identities within the LDS church. He currently lives in Utah and is pursuing his master’s degree in social work to become a clinical therapist and work with other people like him. He has even written a book detailing his experience and offers advice for those in the LGBTQ community. He hopes that his experiences can help shed light.

Throughout his youth, Charlie seriously struggled with accepting his sexual orientation. Coming out as a gay man was a long road for him. For a while, he hid in shame due to his truth. It wasn’t until an encounter with other gay LDS members at a Pride event that he was finally ready to reveal his sexuality. 

We are so happy to have Charlie on the show and hear his story of love, hope, and healing. His story has resonated with each of us in different ways, and we think it will have a transformative effect on you as well! 

Highlights of the Discussion: 

• Charlie Bird’s background (3:21)
• Charlie discusses his new book (5:46)
• Coming out as gay (8:40)
• How his brother reacted to him coming out (16:03)
• A healing path with his dad (17:35)
• His advice to others when coming out (21:44)
• Charlie’s spiritual encounter and accepting his sexuality (31:34)
• Living life according to your values (37:50)

Additional Resources:

• www.Linktr.ee/TheBoldLogic
• Find Charlie Bird’s book here
• Check out Charlie’s impressive dance skills

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You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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