In this episode of Latter Day Bridge Builders, Mitch reflects on four real life conversations that reshaped how he sees faith, empathy, and connection. Each of these moments with friends, mentors, and fellow Latter-day Saints revealed something deeper about what it truly means to listen instead of trying to be right. It’s an honest, thoughtful look at how bridge building works in the real world—not in theory, but across dinner tables, text threads, and long drives home.

🧠 What you’ll hear:

• How four conversations taught the “art of listening”

• Why being open-minded matters more than being right

• The role of nuance and empathy in faith discussions

• Finding balance between belief, doubt, and respect

🎙️ The Art of Listening is about humility, curiosity, and learning from people who see the world differently—and that’s what bridge building is all about.

🌐 More episodes & links: https://linktr.ee/latterdaybridgebuilders

Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/LDSBridgebuilders

If this conversation resonated with you, or even challenged you, leave a comment. Let’s disagree without being disagreeable, and keep building bridges together.

In this episode of Latter Day Bridge Builders, Mitch reflects on four real life conversations that reshaped how he sees faith, empathy, and connection.Each of these moments with friends, mentors, and fellow Latter-day Saints revealed something deeper about what it truly means to listen instead of trying to be right.It’s an honest, thoughtful look at how bridge building works in the real world—not in theory, but across dinner tables, text threads, and long drives home.🧠 What you’ll hear:• How four conversations taught the “art of listening”• Why being open-minded matters more than being right• The role of nuance and empathy in faith discussions• Finding balance between belief, doubt, and respect🎙️ The Art of Listening is about humility, curiosity, and learning from people who see the world differently—and that’s what bridge building is all about.🌐 More episodes & links: https://linktr.ee/latterdaybridgebuil...📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/latterdaybridgebuilders🎥 TikTok: / latterdaybridgebuilders 📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes: ‪@latterdaybridgebuilders‬ ☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/LDSBridgebuildersIf this conversation resonated with you, or even challenged you, leave a comment. Let’s disagree without being disagreeable, and keep building bridges together.

Aftershocks in Zion | Latter Day Bridge Builders PodcastUtah has been through a lot lately — tragedy, transition, and questions about who we are as a community. In this episode, we reflect on three recent events that shook the Latter-day Saint world:• The shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah Valley• The passing of President Russell M. Nelson and the rise of President Dallin H. Oaks• A devastating attack on a Latter-day Saint congregation in Michigan.Rather than react with outrage or division, we explore what it means to respond with empathy, faith, and understanding — to build bridges even when the ground feels unstable. Along the way, we share thoughts on belief, belonging, and the vision that sparked Latter Day Bridge Builders: a community where active members and former members can still meet at the same table.✨ Topics include:– Grieving without politicizing tragedy– How “tribes” shape our sense of belonging– Empathy for those who see the world differently– Remembering President Nelson’s call to “build bridges of understanding”🌐 More episodes & links: https://linktr.ee/latterdaybridgebuilders📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/latterdaybridgebuilders🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@latterdaybridgebuilders📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes:  @latterdaybridgebuilders  ☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/LDSBridgebuildersIf this conversation resonated with you, or even challenged you, leave a comment. Let’s disagree without being disagreeable, and keep building bridges together.

Utah has been through a lot lately — tragedy, transition, and questions about who we are as a community. In this episode, we reflect on three recent events that shook the Latter-day Saint world:

• The shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah Valley

• The passing of President Russell M. Nelson and the rise of President Dallin H. Oaks

• A devastating attack on a Latter-day Saint congregation in Michigan.

Rather than react with outrage or division, we explore what it means to respond with empathy, faith, and understanding — to build bridges even when the ground feels unstable. Along the way, we share thoughts on belief, belonging, and the vision that sparked Latter Day Bridge Builders: a community where active members and former members can still meet at the same table.

✨ Topics include:

– Grieving without politicizing tragedy

– How “tribes” shape our sense of belonging

– Empathy for those who see the world differently

– Remembering President Nelson’s call to “build bridges of understanding”

🌐 More episodes & links: https://linktr.ee/latterdaybridgebuilders

📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/latterdaybridgebuilders

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@latterdaybridgebuilders

📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes: ⁠ @latterdaybridgebuilders ⁠

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/LDSBridgebuilders

If this conversation resonated with you, or even challenged you, leave a comment. Let’s disagree without being disagreeable, and keep building bridges together.

It’s been a while. In this re-introduction, I share what’s happened since the last time you heard from me; why the podcast went quiet, what’s changed in my life and faith, and why I felt it was time to come back.A lot has happened since I first started Latter Day Bridge Builders. I talk about officially stepping away from the Church, what that process looked like for me, and how I’m learning to rebuild connection and meaning on my own terms. But more than anything, this episode is about coming back to what matters: empathy, nuance, and honest conversation between those who believe and those who no longer do.If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since the beginning, thank you for sticking around. Let’s start this again!

Links Mentioned:

My interview on Why I Stay Podcast →

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uESfe5mwyw

All my links, socials, and support options → https://linktr.ee/latterdaybridgebuilders

It’s been a while. In this re-introduction, I share what’s happened since the last time you heard from me; why the podcast went quiet, what’s changed in my life and faith, and why I felt it was time to come back.A lot has happened since I first started Latter Day Bridge Builders. I talk about officially stepping away from the Church, what that process looked like for me, and how I’m learning to rebuild connection and meaning on my own terms. But more than anything, this episode is about coming back to what matters: empathy, nuance, and honest conversation between those who believe and those who no longer do.If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since the beginning, thank you for sticking around. Let’s start this again!

Links Mentioned:

My interview on Why I Stay Podcast →

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uESfe5mwyw

All my links, socials, and support options → https://linktr.ee/latterdaybridgebuilders

It's no secret that LGTBQ+ individuals have a hard time being members of the LDS church. Statements, talks, policies and doctrines have made many LGTBQ+ people feel isolated and alienated as well as deeply hurt by the church that claims to be in direct communication with Jesus Christ through modern prophets, seers and revelators. It can be difficult for a queer or transgender person to know where they belong.

Jonathan Alder is a gay, ex-member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has authored several books including his fictional series The Hawthorn Saga and a personal memoir; Closeted: My Life as a Gay BYU Student.

In today's episode, Jonny and Mitch discuss how we can all become better allies and be more LGTBQ+ affirming.

Check out Jonny's books, including Closeted here: http://jonathan-alder.com/books.php

You can also find the audiobook version of Closeted on most major audiobook apps, including Spotify and Audible.

Whether you were/are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, you probably know about Mormon missionaries. They're the young adults with black name tags and are usually dressed in a white shirt and tie, or a dress/skirt.

In this episode of LDBB, Garrett and Mitch talk about some of the LDS culture regarding missions. The goal of this episode is to build bridges with people who feel like they don't fit the traditional narrative regarding this "right of passage" in Mormonism. Whether it's from not serving a mission at the culturally accepted age, coming home early from a mission, not serving a mission at all, or not having a good mission experience; many members of the church feel like outsiders around this topic.

Send us an email to [email protected]

In part 2 of our interview with Christian Hägglund, we discuss ways in which Ex-Mormons may be able to see Latter-day Saints in a different light. While this episode may be more intentionally spoken towards Ex-Mormons, we feel many people from different backgrounds and walks of life.

Send us an email with questions, feedback, or comments to: [email protected]

Christian Hägglund is a Swedish author, lawyer and Ex-member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In part 1 of this interview, he shares his experience growing up in the church in Sweden and how religious shame was a motivating factor in his life and mission. He also shares how he came across the teachings of Denver Snuffer and Max Skousen and how those teachings influenced him as a member of his local bishopric.

Be sure to listen to Part 2 where we get into how some of these teachings can help people have more positive views on those who believe differently than them.

Thanks for listening!

Send us an email with comments, feedback and questions to: [email protected]

Buy Christian's book What Lack I Yet? on Amazon