My 99 Cousins

Another golden episode where the cousin's cousin number matches their episode number. Devin visits Verlan Lewis for dinner at Zupas before going to Verlan's home for the interview.

Verlan shares memories of their grandparents, cousins at reunions, and even a special memory of spending time with Uncle Tim, Devin's father, and some other cousins when they went to the BYU bookstore on BYU's campus when Verlan and Devin were young.

Devin shares some memories and stories he gathered from Verlan's family. Verlan's love of sports and reading as a kid, having a Napolean complex, getting sick on a trip to California, eating alone on Thanksgiving, a skit he performed with his youngest brother, Hunter, in high school, and many more.

Verlan shares stories of his mission in South Africa, and he and Devin discuss the political upheaval that's been going on there for quite some time. Verlan shares the story of how he met his wife Kathryn, where they've lived since their marriage, and their 4 kids.

For the final topic, Verlan talks about UVU's Center for Constitutional Studies and all of the wonderful programs that it offers and how many of the cousins might be interested in it for their children, if not themselves. Devin asks more questions about Verlan and Hyrum's book "The Myth of Left and Right" as well as how we can apply the principles within it to other topics besides politics, like our relationships with our family and friends.

This interview was an incredible one, and Verlan and Devin have agreed to meet again for lunch to talk more soon.

Devin and Mark meet up again at the Farm for a part 2 of their conversation. This time, it's all about Mark's decision to stop attending church, the history behind his exodus, the regret that he has for the way in which he went about it, but also the respect and love he still has for his family, church culture, and other aspects that he misses about and can recognize in the church. Mark explains his feelings on why he thinks being out of the church works best for him and his family, but that he still respects others decisions to stay in the church.

Devin asks Mark several questions regarding how he would have gone about things differently, and Mark also explains that people who leave the church just want to be understood and respected. While it's a cordial and respectful conversation, Mark still finds religion very confusing and, while he thinks healthy religion is good for society as a whole, there are still many aspects of it that he doesn't understand.

The first part of this episode is Devin recounting the texts he received from Mark on Sunday morning, as well background for the conversation

The 2nd part is the conversation itself

And the 3rd part is Devin reading a final email form Mark and giving his own final thoughts on the subject.

Mark and Marianne Kartchner are in town for the Kartchner family reunion. Devin and Sarah take advantage of this opportunity and are able to interview them on the evening of the first day of the reunion.

Mark shares some of the memories of early Andersen family reunions and stories of spending time with the cousins his age like Rich Jacob, as well as Glen, Ben, and DJ Andersen. Devin then shares some stories he gathered from Marks siblings and father, and asks questions about his youth.

Mark and Marianne share how they met each other at the BYU Jerusalem center before seeing each other again 5 years later after being set up by cousin Jenet, another one of the 99 cousins.

The final subject was on the topic of "Doing Good" or "Affective Altruism". Mark and Marianne have a history of doing good in the world and helping their fellow man in any way that they can. They discuss what they've learned and how we can be effective in our altruistic efforts.

This is Part 1 of their discussion. Part 2 will be uploaded at a later date and was a 2nd conversation that Devin and Mark had together a few days after Part 1 was recorded.

Claire and Kevin visit the Andersens at their home in Saratoga Springs. Claire tells them memories of their extended family, growing up in Idaho, playing the harp and piano, her mission, and how she and Kevin met. Kevin tells his side of the story, as well as how he proposed to Claire.

For the final topic, they discuss the program "Lets Play Music"

Devin, Sarah, and their son Tim, head to Bear Lake for the annual Tim and Jana Andersen Family Reunion. The evening before everyone went home, Devin gathered his siblings, their spouses, and their mother together at the dinner table for a good conversation about Their father and husband, Tim. Jana then shared many amusing and interesting stories about Tim.The siblings then share some of the things that they remember about him. The ending song is a poem that Tim had written on his mission. Devin, with the help of AI, created a song out of the words, and also was able to use a software program to re-create Tim's voice to sing the song. While the poem does not have a title, Devin chose to call the song "Reunion" - because not only was this song first heard at the Andersen Family Reunion, but also the song is about reuniting with those we once knew in heaven.

Cousin Ethan Kartchner visits Devin and Sarah in their home in Saratoga Springs for the interview.

Ethan, the 8th of 9 children in the Kartchner family, learns his cousin number and then talks about memories of extended family, especially the Andelins, and even a closeness he's felt with Grandpa Andersen as an adult.

Devin and Sarah ask Ethan several questions about stories that they'd heard about him from Ethan's siblings and father. From being obsessed with The Price is right, splitting his pants on Prom night, busking in Idaho with his viola, and living on the beach with Jordan on the beaches of Hawaii for a month.

Ethan then shares his experiences of being a model, actor, producer, and director and the challenges and rewarding moments that he's had through this unique path. He then talks about the importance of family relationships and keeping those strong.

Devin and Sarah visit the Freeman's at the Jacob home for dinner before the interview. Joanna and her husband Nathan share so many wonderful stories. Joanna tells a story that Devin has been eagerly waiting to hear for several years, ever since he first heard about the famous Girl's Camp Bear Story that Joanna and cousin Kim were responsible for.

Joanna shares her feelings of respect and admiration for other cousins, her appreciation for her siblings and her parents, as well as memories of grandparents and aunts and uncles.

Joanna talks about living in Mexico and Holland before later serving her mission in Argentina.

Nathan talks about how he and Joanna met, and a few funny and embarrassing moments of their early courtship. They talk about their 4 children, raising them in Japan recently, and a few other insights before moving onto the final topic "Faith in Jesus Christ".

Devin visits cousin Mylinda and her husband Mike when they’re in town visiting for 2 of their daughters graduations from college.

Mylinda talks about the uniqueness of the spelling of her name and the cloesness she had with her father as well as having her middle name after her mother.

Mylinda shares memories of their grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and the times that she lived with Devin's family when she was younger.

The Stones talk about how they met and got engaged, as well as many of the amazing adventures that they've been on over the past 30 years of marriage.

For the final topic they discuss how most people are good and have good desires and intentions.

Part 2 of LaDawn and Jim's episode.

Jim and LaDawn share their experiences going on missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. First sharing their experience of living in Mexico and how that opportunity came about. They spoke about later serving at the same time as 2 of their daughters in different parts of the world. Jim and LaDawn served in Ukraine with LaDawn's brother, Dale, and Jim's sister, Sue, who also were married and part of the Andersen family.

Devin shares some of the other funny memories shared by the Jacob's children: Car accidents and driving with their children, the origins of their famous homemade bread, having their children do difficult things at a very young age and that now their children all feel like they are very capable.

LaDawn shares her love of celebrating holidays, the history behind them, and the reason behind why we celebrate those days. Devin then shares his own memories and experiences of staying with the Jacobs as a boy.

LaDawn shares the importance of learning people's names, and how memorizing scriptures, poems, and promises in modern prophecy has helped her in difficult and troubling times. She speaks on the importance of covenants and how the promised blessings we seek can be found there.

Jim shares more of his experiences of being a shepherd and what that taught him.

They end by sharing their love and appreciation for their family and the advice that they want to pass on to their family.

This is a 2 part episode. Devin visits Aunt LaDawn and Uncle Jim at their home in Orem. They tell Devin the story of how they met, how they got engaged, and many wonderful stories of their family. Uncle Jim talks about how he built his house, and they both share stories of Devin's father, Tim.

They discuss the importance of music in their home, memories of Grandpa Andersen, and visits down to Arizona to visit their own cousins.