Have you ever heard of Marie Kondo? She’s a Japanese professional organizer known for her method of only keeping what “sparks joy” in her life. We can follow her example by becoming a transitional character—someone who breaks cycles of negativity and embraces joyful practices. In this episode, we talk with BYU professor Christopher Jones about what it means to be a transitional character, and how we can spark joy in our own family histories.

Thanks to Encanto, everyone knows we don’t talk about Bruno. But there are other aspects of family history we don’t talk about, like poverty and shame. Our guest Dr. LaShawn Williams explains, “When we talk about shame, we’re talking about this felt sense of unworthiness to be in connection or relationship with other people despite desperately, desperately wanting to connect with other people.” And like we see in the Disney movie, this feeling of shame can be passed from one generation to the next. So how do we combat it? We talk about Bruno. We talk about poverty and shame within our family histories. And that’s exactly what hosts Miya and Michelle plan on doing with Dr. LaShawn as they address shame and poverty in this episode.

References:  "The problem with pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps is not everyone has working bootstraps"

Dead cats and genealogy might seem like an odd mix. But when it comes to genealogical consciousness, they actually make perfect sense. BYU professor Amy Harris puts this into perspective by explaining that as a child, she would mourn the passing of her pet cats. But then she found peace when she realized that all “relationships are durable and meaningful—even beyond death.” This got us thinking—if we can feel connected to cherished but long deceased pets, shouldn’t our feelings about our ancestors run just as deep? In this episode, hosts Miya Jensen and Michelle Thorley discuss with Professor Harris how we can ensure our relationships with our ancestors stretch into the past as well as the future through genealogical consciousness.

Have you ever heard someone sarcastically say, “Who do they think they are, the Queen of Sheba?” Although this question is usually used to poke fun of those who flaunt their wealth, after listening to this Unnamed Women episode, you may think of it as a compliment instead. Because while the real Queen of Sheba was indeed wealthy, she was also wise—and in 1 Kings 10:1–13, we learn that her might and wisdom may have also contributed to the grandeur of the Israelite temple.

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The proverb of a virtuous woman is a famous one, but the woman who sang it—and the woman who it's about—are unnamed. But while we may not know exactly who these women are, they teach us unforgettable lessons of what it means to be truly virtuous. In this special live recording, we'll dig into the profound impact these women have had in our lives by teaching us through their words and examples what it really means to be a virtuous woman today.

Listen to full weekly episodes of Sunday on Monday with Bookshelf+ | Start your free trial at deseretbook.com/sundayonmonday

For more about the proverb of a virtuous woman, check out Tammy's book: Far Above Rubies: The Power and Promise of a Covenant-Keeping Woman 

In this final episode of This Is the Gospel, KaRyn, Katie, and Erika sit down and listen to their favorite untold stories from the pitch line—submissions from you that didn't make it into an episode for one reason or another, but that we love all the same. These three-minute stories range from wild, epic bear chases to small, quiet moments of revelation. While the voices and narratives may vary, each illustrates how even in a matter of minutes, individual’s stories have the power to bind us all together.

See show notes and full episode transcript at LDSLiving.com/thisisthegospel or find us on Instagram and Facebook @thisisthegospel_podcast

Show Notes + Transcripts: http://ldsliving.com/thisisthegospel

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Stories in this episode: Sarah and her brother decide to turn their father in to the police hoping he will find the help he needs to make necessary changes in his life; Chrislyn is deep in grief after learning about decisions her mother made and watching her be sentenced to life in prison. The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of forgiveness take on new meaning for both our storytellers, even if their lives haven’t yet reached a happy ending.

See show notes and full episode transcript at LDSLiving.com/thisisthegospel or find us on Instagram and Facebook @thisisthegospel_podcast

Show Notes + Transcripts: http://ldsliving.com/thisisthegospel

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of Women’s History month, we wanted to do something new and share one of our favorite podcasts with you. It's called Latter-day Saint Women, and in this episode, the Relief Society General Presidency has an important conversation with a few of their friends: a foster mom who's worried about a little boy she's come to love; a 22-year-old who's angry and confused when she can't serve a mission; and a recent convert whose parents are Mexican immigrants, so she wonders whether she will fit in. Through their discussion we come to see one of the most beautiful parts of Relief Society—we all belong.

Show Notes + Transcripts: http://ldsliving.com/thisisthegospel

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Building the tabernacle described in the Old Testament was no easy feat. We read about all those cubits and how there were specifications about everything. Even the people who helped had to be “wise hearted” and willing to give only the best of the best. In this episode of Unnamed Women of the Old Testament, we will tell the stories of the weavers—women who lent their hands and wise hearts to create the veils and priestly garments for the first tabernacle. We’ll also learn how their vital, sacred contributions were echoed by the women who helped build the Nauvoo and Kirtland temples in the latter days.

Listen to full weekly episodes of Sunday on Monday with Bookshelf+ | Start your free trial at deseretbook.com/sundayonmonday

Stories in this episode: Even though she's up against a language barrier, Bonnie takes matters into her own hands after noticing the refugee women she lives among on a military base don't have what they need; All of Ben's resources are expended when he's put in charge of providing meals for thousands of refugees, and he hits a breaking point. So he makes one phone call that teaches him just what—and who—it takes to be Christ’s hands while serving His children.

See show notes and full episode transcript at LDSLiving.com/thisisthegospel or find us on Instagram and Facebook @thisisthegospel_podcast

Show Notes + Transcripts: http://ldsliving.com/thisisthegospel

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.