Brad and Jay are Southern California Natives who are passionate about their families, the church, surfing, and the 12 Steps of Change known as the ARP Program.  They co-host a podcast, The Next Step Podcast which they started in 2016, that discusses the LDS Churches ARP program and the joys of recovery and sobriety.  They focus their discussion on weekly news and each week focus on 1 of the 12 steps to recovery found on arp.lds.org.    On this episode, Nate sits down with Brad and Jay in southern California to discuss their story - including Jay's struggle with opiate addiction and his journey to sobriety - as well as the founding of their podcast and ways to help people whose lives have become unmanageable due to addiction.  They chat about the resources available to people both in and out of the LDS community that can help deal with addiction and the need to discuss this important topic in a more transparent and meaningful way.

Episode 25:  Jay and Brad - The Next Step Podcast

Every week on the Peculiar People Podcast, we highlight one of the rising generation of achievers who are influencing LDS culture whether they are Mormon or not. These are often people you have heard of, but perhaps never heard from. The Peculiar People Podcast covers everything from society and cultural stereotypes to literature, movies, relationships and everything in between, never taking itself too seriously. Introduce yourself to the Peculiar People with all of their talents and flaws - they happen to be just like you.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Comedy

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

Kaitlynn Mintz is a senior at the University of Oregon, studying english and creative writing.   Originally from southern California, Kaitlynn is a published writer and part time professional cheerleader.  She is heavily involved in greek life on campus through her Sorority, Chi Omega.  In March of 2018, Kaitlynn was baptized as a member of the LDS church, and on today’s episode, she sits down with Nate to discuss her faith journey, stereotypes, college life as a convert and much more!

S2 Episode 55:  Kaitlynn Mintz

@thecarlicast is a Student, Paralegal pursuing a Law Degree and a blogger, who happens to have one of the most interesting life stories you will ever hear.  Particularly for someone who is only 24 years old, she is truly special.  at Age 22 she became a member of the Church of Jesus christ of Latter Day Saints, and her conversion story is incredible.  This is part 2 of a 2 part story detailing a traumatic event in her life that leads her to develop a relationship with god, join the church, move to Utah and much more!

Note:  In addition to her full time career and studies, Carli runs the @byubarstool account and you can find her as a contributor to the broader Peculiar People community in the future…. more to come!

S2 Episode 54:  @theCarliCast pt. 2

@thecarlicast is a Student, Paralegal pursuing a Law Degree and a blogger, who happens to have one of the most interesting life stories you will ever hear.  Particularly for someone who is only 24 years old, she is truly special.  at Age 22 she became a member of the Church of Jesus christ of Latter Day Saints, and her conversion story is incredible.  This is part 1 of a 2 part story detailing her early life and childhood,  her crazy family background, introduction to the party scene, drug addiction and more.   

Note:  In addition to her full time career and studies, Carli runs the @byubarstool account and you can find her as a contributor to the broader Peculiar People community in the future…. more to come!

S2 Episode 53:  @theCarliCast

Krissy Weekley is the founder of Monthly Roamers, a website dedicated to fostering a community of working LDS singles who congregate for a month of working remotely in fantastic destinations across the globe.  Founded in 2018, Monthly Roamers just finished their 3rd trip (Costa Rica, Spain, Italy) and it’s really catching on within the LDS Singles community.  On this podcast, Nate and Krissy discuss the founding of Roamers and how Krissy capitalized on both her marketing/coding background and her love for travel to create something she’s always wanted to do as an entrepreneur.  they discuss the past trips, the demographic of people who’ve come along, the hot goss of who’s fallen in love, and the future of Monthly Roamer trips.

S2 Episode 52:  @monthlyroamers w/ Krissy Weekley

Hayden Davis and Dustin Larsen are young professionals living in new york city, they are both active members of the LDS church, openly gay and have been foundational in starting a movement toward inclusion within the church by starting and promoting a weekly scripture study group for LGBTQ members and their friends within their wards.  The program has spread like wildfire and not only strengthened testimonies, but helped people find a comfortable place where they can find common ground and help each other along their journey.   On this episode, Dustin and Hayden discuss how they came to find  and iterate this program, their life and struggle with being gay and Mormon, as well as what has helped sustain them and bring them back to their faith while still having many unanswered questions.  They discuss the future both culturally and doctrinally, mental health, pride week, and what a “grandpa gay” is.

Episode 25: Jay and Brad - The Next Step Podcast

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