My friend Nikki Andreasky (BYU-I grad, lives in AZ, they/them) joins us to share their story including:

* Long-term gender dysphoria/chest dysphoria—and prayerful decision to have top surgery

* Love of the temple

* Learning of the handbook changes (Aug 2024) for transgender members weeks before the surgery leading to feelings of “being stabbed in the gut”, “betrayed” and “really hurt”

* Meeting with local leaders

* Proceeding with the top surgery—feelings of gender euphoria

Pain of not being able to attend the temple and no chance of temple sealing

* How North Star gave them a spiritual boost

* Why they stay in the Church

* Supportive mothers—grandma’s scriptures

Nikki is one of my heroes—for their spiritual/emotional maturity and navigating an incredible complex road as a non-binary Latter-day Saint. I encourage everyone to listen to and share this episode so we can better understand, love and support non-binary/transgender Latter-day Saints. I believe they are needed members of the Body of Christ.

Thank you for being on the podcast, Nikki. You are awesome.

Links:

North Star Voices of Hope: www.northstarsaints.org/voh-nikki-2022

Earlier Listen Learn and Love Podcast: soundcloud.com/user-818501778/episode-320-lynsie-andreasky-active-lds-asexual-aromantic-and-gender-queer/sets

Nikki’s Tic Tok: www.tiktok.com/@scattering_sunshine?_t=ZT-8w1g82Dlqsl&_r=1

Nikki’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/16HB8rwVrQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

*** This episode talks about suicide. If you are suicidal, please call/text/chat *988 ***

My friend Jenn Curtis (late 40s, lives in California, experiences same-sex attraction) joins us to share her powerful story out of a desire to help others including:

* Sexual assault survivor which led to unhealthy coping behaviors and immense shame

* Falsely concluding “God is disappointed in me”

* Falsely concluding (at age 17) that death would be a better option

* Feeling unlovable and that “no one could love the real me”

* Finding more hope—but two subsequent decades of living in a “form of internal hell”

* Powerful spiritual experience where God told her she is a “bullfighter”

* Honest about sexual orientation with God, herself, and husband

* Helpful friends—part of the process to remove shame

* As friends loved/accepted her, Jenn considered “I might be lovable—and God may love me too”

* My story is a “beautiful love story”

* Finding joy

* Powerful EFY experience

* North Star

This is a super-powerful, spiritual, and vulnerable podcast providing principles to help us better understand God’s love, how shame has no place in the Gospel, and how Jesus helps heal us. If you are in a hard spot, please listen to Jenn’s story. It will give you more hope. And if you are looking to better support our SSA/LGBTQ friends, please listen and share Jenn’s podcast.

Thank you for being on the podcast, Jenn! You are so brave—you are bullfighter—and your courage is helping so many!

Links:

youtube.com/@LatterdayWomenWarriors

https://www.northstarsaints.org/voh-jenn

www.youtube.com/@TheApocrypharules

www.northstarsaints.org/voices-of-hope-profiles

North Star: www.northstarsaints.org/

Jenn’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007513065761

My friend Sharlee Mullins Glenn (noted author, former adjunct faculty at BYU, committed Latter-day Saint, married mother of 5, founder and former Executive Director of MWEG) joins us to talk about her important and groundbreaking new book, an expansive epic poem full of imagination and possibilities, centering the feminine divine.

In the words of Fiona Givens, Sharlee’s epic poem “is an ambitious and beautiful rendering of Latter-day Saint beliefs and yearnings regarding the feminine divine, the ethos of existence, and the centrality of agency, relationships and love.”

Some of the ideas Sharlee shared include:

1) Her book is fiction--a blending of theology, science, and imagination

2) It is an offering of imagination, and does not purport to set forth doctrine

3) Imagination is a spiritual gift and reflects God's divine nature

4)The inclusion of the feminine divine was driven by two burning questions: a. Where are the women in the grand, ancient story of our beginnings, and b. What good is a doctrine if we never speak of it or seek greater light and knowledge concerning it?

5) Her hope is that her "offering of imagination" will prompt others to examine the boundaries of their own paradigms and consider new possibilities

6) Heavenly Mother “will be unveiled again”

This is a unique and insightful podcast focused on a book (which is a beautiful poem) that is a reimagining of the entire scope of existence, centering the feminine divine and the preeminence of love. I learned so much from Sharlee and encourage our listeners to read her book and share it with others.

Links:

Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1961471205/

Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1147162041

My friend Sara Sumsion (RM, Age 30, YSA ward leader, getting a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy) joins us to share her unique story. Sara starts with her good father’s decision to leave the Church and her initial judgements about his decision. She then shares her difficult mission experience including spiritual abuse that nearly broke her and led to her considering leaving the Church.

Sara talks about finding the grey and her intentional decision to stay in the Church, her reconstructed testimony, and her desire to help others find hope and healing. Sara talks about her road to become a vocal LGBTQ Ally including her Instagram post of her non-binary friend. Sara talks about helping everyone feel welcome in their YSA ward and also practicing boundaries/good communication when interacting with less active members.

Sara concludes with her Mother’s Day lesson including a focus on Heavenly Mother and helping all women feel good and welcome (regardless of their current status or feelings regarding motherhood).

If you are working to stay in the Church, Sara’s journey may help you. And if you are looking for more insights about how to teach/organize a positive meeting on Mother’s Day, Sara suggestions may help you. And if you are looking to create a safer place in your Ward, Sara’s story may help you.

Thank you, Sara, for your work to create Zion. I learned so much from you. You give me hope for the future of our Church and world. I see the example of Jesus reflected in your ministry. Honored to have you on the podcast!

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sara.sumsion

IG: @sar_assumption/

My dear friends, Susan Hinckley and Cynthia Winward, (co-founders of the “At Last She Said It Project” which includes their groundbreaking podcast—with over 200 episodes and 2+ million downloads) join us to talk about their new book.

Their book (published by Signature Books) invites readers to consider new perspectives, be open to changing our minds, and how growth can be uncomfortable—and how this leads to helping more fellow Latter-day Saints feel valued, welcome and how to have more belonging.

The book helps us better understand patriarchy within the church and how this can cause pain for both women and men—and what we can do in our area of influence to improve. The book also addresses many other topics within the church to help us build Zion including:

Discipling

Obedience

Fear

Repentance

Worthiness

Cynthia's Personal Essay: “Works for Me”

Susan's Personal Essay: “Metamorphosis”

Speaking Up

Why I Wear a Cross

I’ve learned so much from these two good women about better ministering to others. I wish their podcast and book existed decades ago—it would have helped me be a better husband, father, church member—and better lift (versus sometimes add) to the burdens of others. I encourage everyone to read/share their book.

Thank you, Susan and Cynthia. You two are awesome.

Links:

Book and podcast: atlastshesaidit.org/

My friend Elder Jax Smith (multi-racial, from Highland Utah, Age 25) joins us to bravely share his story:

Middle school: “My personal hell”

Coming out to older siblings

Suicidal ideation, hospitalization, “choosing to stay”

Decision to serve a mission/called to Alabama Birmingham

Reason for ending his mission and leaving the Church

Role of good people (like Elder Jenkins) to help him return to Church

Difficult YSA experience attending with his boyfriend—left the Church for a second time

Focusing on Jesus and attending Baptist Church

Bishop’s (also his uncle) invitation to attend his YSA Ward

Calling that led him to full activity, becoming a temple worker, and going back on a mission

Others (like Elder Wright and Brother Monson) that helped him accept himself and feel like he belonged

Navigating church generated pain/trauma/difficult experiences

Powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and His power to heal

This is another super powerful/brave podcast from a remarkable Latter-day Saint. Thank you Elder Jax Smith for being on the podcast. You are a remarkable disciple of Christ, and your story helps others walking difficult roads—and it helps the rest of us have more insights to help everyone feel like the belong and better create Zion. You are a good man!

Links:

Jax Smith Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556810127958

Jax Smith Instagram: @smith_3_55_

My friend Leon Crandell (lives in Snowflake AZ, cosmetologist, Brazil RM) joins us to bravely share his story:

Survivor of sexual abuse

Turning to substance abuse to deal with/escape the shame of sexual abuse

Later abused by a doctor on his mission—and the shame of wondering why me

Concluding being a victim of sexual abuse isn’t why he is gay

Getting married (married for 27 years) and not really addressing his sexual orientation

Gradually opening up to his wife—and their road to stay in their marriage and the Church

Finding community of others walking this road

Asking Heavenly Father “What do you think of me”? Super helpful

Powerful (and healing) experience in a conversation with Jesus

Kurt Francom’s impactful book “Is God Disappointed in Me”

Hope instead of shame/fear

This is a super powerful, vulnerable, and insightful podcast to help listeners see the role of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to help us find more hope/peace in our lives—and how our unique differences help us reach others—helping to create Zion.

You are super brave Leon. Your courage to be honest gives hope to others. You are a good man! Honored to have you on the podcast.

Links:

Leon’s podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-untwo-christ/id1752406845

Leon’s webpage: cominguntwochrist.com/

Leon on Facebook: www.facebook.com/leon.crandell

Leon on Instagram: @cominguntwochrist

Kurt Francom’s book: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CT67RS86

Dr Robinson: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9jO9iMbm5U

My friend Darice (married mother of four including a transgender daughter, Gather Conference Director) joins us to share her story including:

1) Proximity to LGBTQ people—seeing their goodness/gifts/kindness

2) Being uncomfortable with the 2015 policy statements—"didn’t align with my spiritual integrity”

3) Being called as Stake Relief Society President and her work to help everyone feel loved and that they belong—including having a Stake inclusion specialist

4) Supporting her transgender daughter and her upcoming marriage to her non-binary partner

5) Living in “complexity” and how that gives her more perspective/tools to help others

6) Getting involved with Gather

7) Upcoming Gather Conference on June 27-28, 2025

Thank you, Darice, for your work to bless so many lives. I encourage everyone to listen to Darice’s story and attend Gather. Thank you for all your work (and many others with Gather) to build Zion and help everyone feel loved and welcome.

Links:

Gather Conference: thegatherconference.regfox.com/gather-conference-worldwide-2025

Gather Conference Registration: thegatherconference.regfox.com/gather-conference-worldwide-2025

Lift and Love Support Groups: www.liftandlove.org/meeting

Darice on Instagram: @dariceauston

My friend Helen Anderson (Lives in Utah County, BYU Grad, Mother of 4, LGBTQ Ally) joins us to share her story:

· Exposure to gay people in the 70’s and 80’s—becoming supportive

· Carol Lynn Pearson’s book

· Documentary called “TransMormon” and how it helped prepare her

· Journey to love, see, understand, and accept her transgender daughter

· Pronouns

· OK to cry

· High school graduation (great experience)

· University of Utah welcome/housing (great experience)

· Have a transgender/non-binary child is not a sad tragedy—but can become a beautiful family love story

Helen also talks about her new variety show called “Dear Mom: Celebrating Mothers of LGBTQIA+ Children” on May 10th (see show notes for more information).

Thank you, Helen, for your courage to come on the podcast and share your beautiful family love story. I’m grateful for your voice and experiences to help us better support the transgender people in our lives—for they are wonderful.

Links:

Variety Show on May 10th, 2025: https://www.werehereutah.com/dearmom

Helen on Instagram: @helenandersoncomedy

*** This episode talks about suicide. If you are suicidal, please call/text/chat *988 ***

My friend Lucas Batista (grew up in Brazil, lived in Spain, RM/Chile) joins us to share his story including:

1) Growing up knowing he was like his gay mom (and all the negative comments about gay people)

2) Shame and “always wearing a mask”

3) Temple helping him feel less shame—never felt rejected by God

4) Great mission experience in Chile—came out to both Mission Presidents

5) Suicidal ideation after his mission—role of friends to give hope—including one who said “It’s OK—I will be with you to the end”

6) Letter to “future me”

7) Not broken, coming on the podcast to reduce shame and give others hope

Thank you, Lucas, for your courage to come on the podcast and share your unique story. You are super brave. You story will help others to feel less shame, more acceptance, and hope for the future. You are a good man who has bless many lives. Our church and world are a better place with Lucas Batista part of it!

Links:

Lucas on Instagram: @luccabattistta

Lucas on Facebook: facebook.com/lucas.silvabatista.14

Facebook Group to support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143