Mormon Stories Podcast

Join us as we revisit this epic interview with John Dehlin and Carah Burrell, which originally aired on Carah's channel in 2023.

Eve, a good friend of Carah Burrell's, was an active and faithful member of the LDS Church at the time of this interview. She had begun to question aspects of the Church—particularly polygamy—and agreed to sit down with Carah and John for a truly unique conversation. In this interview, they simply presented her with factual information about LDS history and captured her real-time reactions.

This one-of-a-kind interview is now being shared on Mormon Stories Podcast for the very first time. Be sure to join us later this week as Eve returns to the podcast—this time with both of her parents, who have experienced their own faith journeys since Eve's original interview two years ago.

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Show Notes

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Join us for our first live video call-in show! The topic: "What do Mormons Believe About God?"

We will be briefly reviewing my essay that can be found here: https://johndehlin.substack.com/p/what-do-mormons-believe-about-god

Then we would love some of our audience to join us to discuss any of the following topics:

• What they were taught as Mormons about God.
• What they think about the Mormon version of God.
• What they believe about God.

We will be joined by dear friends Kolby and Cam Reddish.

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Show Notes⁠

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• PayPal
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Our Platforms:

• YouTube
• Patreon
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Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

In this powerful continuation of our interview with Ben and Justine, we explore their raw and honest journey from deep devotion in the LDS Church to personal awakening, heartbreak, and healing.

They share how their relationship grew during Justine’s school years, navigating early marriage, financial and gender-role challenges, and the burden of trying to live up to faith-based ideals. From motherhood identity struggles to confronting doctrinal issues and discovering their voices during a faith crisis, this episode is full of vulnerable, eye-opening moments.

Highlights include:

• Gender roles & pressure in Mormonism

• The cost of silence during a faith crisis

• The CES Letter, LDS Discussions & uncovering hard truths

• Healing from betrayal, rebuilding marriage & reconnecting with family

• Their plea for empathy from believing members

Whether you're in faith, out of faith, or somewhere in between—this is a story about agency, partnership, and finding truth together.

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Show Notes⁠

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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.

Our overall mission is to:

1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: 

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
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Our Platforms:

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Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

  

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• TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

In this episode, Ben and Justine share their powerful and emotional journeys through Mormonism, immigration, family trauma, and healing. They discuss Ben's family's escape from political turmoil, their struggles with loss, and the lure of the Mormon doctrine of eternal families.

Ben faces racial and cultural challenges within the Church, battles self-worth issues, and grapples with the harm purity culture and missionary service caused.

Justine recounts her own upbringing in a strict Mormon household, the pressure of modesty culture, and the way Mormon ideals shaped her relationships and sense of self.

Together, they reflect on how they met, the impact of internalized racism, and their path toward authenticity, healing, and love — even as they confront the pain Mormonism left behind.

This is part 1 of a very special two-part Mormon Stories interview.

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
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Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

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• Join the Discord

In this powerful follow-up conversation, Britt Hartley returns to explore 10 practical and emotional steps to take during your faith deconstruction journey. From embracing anger and grief, to rediscovering your identity, setting boundaries, and finding peace in the unknown—this episode is a guide to healing, growth, and transformation.

Whether you're newly questioning or deep in the process, these insights will help you navigate deconstruction with compassion and clarity.

Topics include:

-Grieving your old beliefs

-Embracing uncertainty

-Inner child & shadow work

-Building authentic community

-Setting loving boundaries

-Learning to just be

Join us as we unpack the deep emotional layers of deconstruction and the tools that can truly support your journey.

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Show Notes

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• PayPal
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Our Platforms:

• YouTube
• Patreon
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Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Jennifer Wilson shares her deeply personal journey from growing up in a devout Mormon family to questioning, deconstructing, and ultimately leaving her faith. She opens up about her family's polygamist history, her mission experience, marriage, leadership roles in the church, and the struggles that came with navigating faith transitions. From grappling with church expectations to finding newfound freedom and clarity, Jennifer reflects on how this journey has reshaped her identity, marriage, and parenting.

Key Topics Covered: Growing up in a Mormon household & family history, missionary experiences & gender expectations in the church, marriage, motherhood & church leadership roles, doubts, faith crisis & leaving the church, Raising kids outside of Mormonism & rediscovering identity.

Join us for an honest, heartfelt conversation about faith, change, and self-discovery. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

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Show Notes

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• ⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠

Our Platforms:

• ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠

Social Media:

• ⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠

Contact us:

[email protected]

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

In this episode (Ep. 2011) we explore with @nononsensespirituality founder Britt Hartley the common pitfalls people face during religious deconstruction. From navigating relationships and parenting outside of organized religion to the challenges of psychedelics, intellectualism, and identity loss—this is a raw, honest conversation about life after faith. Whether you're just beginning your journey or deep in it, this discussion offers insight, validation, and guidance.

Key topics covered:

- Why opening your marriage right after leaving religion may backfire

- How to provide structure for your kids without religion

- The psychedelic trap & chasing spiritual highs

- The “missionary phase” of ex-belief systems

- Finding meaning beyond religion, without clinging to new dogmas

- The lifelong process of deconstruction

- And much more, including Gen Z dating, chakras, free will, and dreams.

Don’t miss her reflections on what she’s learned, what to avoid, and how to move forward with integrity and openness.

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Show Notes

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
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Our Platforms:

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Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

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• TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

After nearly two centuries of strict modesty standards, the Mormon Church has made a historic change—women’s garments now allow for exposed shoulders. In this in-depth panel, Mormon women unpack the significance of this shift. From the garments' Masonic roots and historical designs to the ways they’ve shaped modesty culture, sexuality, and control over women's bodies, this conversation dives deep. The panel also explores the social media response, health concerns, and the ongoing discomfort many women still face. With personal stories, historical context, and commentary on the new designs, this is a must-watch discussion on a topic rarely spoken about so openly.

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Show Notes

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• PayPal
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Our Platforms:

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Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

In Part 2 of our story, Kyle opens up about his life growing up in the Two by Twos faith — from a childhood shaped by pressure to "uphold the family name," to navigating chronic illness and suppressing his passions for music and basketball in order to prioritize church. We talk about the expectations around professing young, the control over dating, marriage, and even parenting — including the harmful encouragement of corporal punishment.

As cracks began to form during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyle and Kari found themselves questioning everything they believed. From hidden doubts, religious trauma, and Kari’s journey of discovering her bisexuality, to the couple’s darkest moments and eventual transformation, this episode dives deep into how they began rebuilding their lives outside the 2x2 world.

We also discuss the emerging abuse allegations within the Two by Twos church, the beginnings of their Ex-Two by Two support group, and the broader fight for transparency and accountability in a faith that claims to have no organization at all. This is a raw, emotional, and revealing chapter of their deconstruction journey.

___________________

Show Notes

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• PayPal
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Our Platforms:

• YouTube
• Patreon
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Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord

Kari & Kyle Hanks share their journey of leaving the secretive 2x2 church, a religious group with no official name, written doctrine, or corporate structure. They discuss their upbringings, struggles with faith, the exclusivity of the religion, and the trauma they endured. From discovering the church’s hidden history to creating a support group for ex-members, they expose abuse scandals, strict doctrines on women, and emotional suppression within the group. Their deconstruction was influenced by the Mormon Stories Podcast, COVID-19, and personal revelations about belief, identity, and autonomy. Now, they advocate for informed consent and support those leaving high-control religions.

Show Notes

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00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:40 Kari & Kyle introduce themselves and the Two by Twos group
00:14:04 They do not have a written doctrine, it is all word of mouth
00:21:59 The founding of Two by Two - founded by William Irving
00:28:28 It wasn’t until 1905 that the group started preaching exclusivity
00:37:52 Irving is kicked out of the church, although some still stay loyal to him. Another splinter group.
00:49:50 Three meetings a week
01:00:46 Background of their theology/doctrine
01:09:02 Discussion of Heaven & Hell
01:17:04 Kari’s background in the church
01:23:17 Growing up as a 2x2 girl
01:30:30 How does the group refer to themselves?
01:38:43 Never having the language to describe her feelings or sexuality
01:42:09 Higher education was discouraged for many, especially women
01:54:17 Emotional manipulation in high demand religions
02:24:47 2x2s very politically conservative, but are not typically involved politically
02:27:08 When did she start to think she was in a cult?

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• PayPal
• Venmo

Our Platforms:

• YouTube
• Patreon
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord