My 99 Cousins

Devin visits his cousin, Nathan, and instead of bringing his wife, Sarah, along. Devin brings along cousin Jacob! Devin, Jacob, and Nathan share stories of their youth, experiences that they had growing up and visiting Nathan on the farm. Devin talks about making bows and arrows with Nathan, going on camping trips, and going on a group date with some of the cousins. Jacob and Nathan talk about playing risk at family reunions and how Nathan first learned to play risk.

Nathan shares stories of visiting cousins, aunts and uncles, and their incredible generosity and kindness. From living with the Kartchners to earn money, to receiving a truck from Uncle Dean, to learning to throw an axe from uncle Lee, and not being yelled at for throwing mud at Uncle VJ's house for retribution from the pranks of their fellow cousin, John Paul.

Devin then shares several stories from Nathan's siblings that he'd heard. Accidentally killing a turkey, playing pranks on Elise, hearing Nathan's signature cough, and getting his siblings to get Nathan's missed basketball shots.

For the final topic they discuss current events, integrity in journalism, and how to go about researching and learning about controversial topics with differing opinions.

Devin and Sarah travel down to the farm once again for another interview. Hunter and Courtney are in town from Alabama for a month and living with Hunter's parents, Corwin and Lynette.

Hunter talks about being the youngest of 14 children, and Devin shares memories and stories he'd collected from Hunters family. Hunter shares an experience from his mission in Peru, and Courtney talks about meeting Hunter and how he proposed at a fake bonfire in Idaho.

Courtney shares her experiences in following in Devin's footsteps by creating her own podcast with a similar format called "The 13 Beginnings" where she and Hunter interview all of her mom's side of the family.

For the final topic, they discuss their challenges with infertility and what their journey has been in having children.

Devin and Sarah decide to have a special My 99 cousins episode to celebrate their halfway point. They talk about their experiences of doing the podcast, visiting cousins, and spending time with each family.

Devin shares some statistics about the podcast, which episodes have the most downloads, and then Sarah and Devin talk about some of the more memorable and impactful episodes on them.

They discuss the goals that they had made before starting the podcast, and where they are on those goals so far. Devin talks about the big family reunion that will be held in July of 2026 over the 24th of July weekend and how family representatives will be meeting together online soon.

Devin and Sarah then spend the rest of the episode discussing their infertility journey so far. The many steps that they've taken to have more children, the many failed attempts and losses and what the experience has been like for both of them. Devin gives an analogy of pregnancy like a long hallway with a series of doors, with each continuing step an anvil is placed above your head, looming higher and larger with each passing door.

They update the family with their decision to meet with Tyler and Annie and decide to stop their attempts of embryo transfers to Annie as their gestational carrier, and that for now they need time to grieve, pray, and decide on what, if anything, they should do next.

Devin, Sarah, and Tim return to visiting cousins after a month off. Devin and Sarah interview Ammon Redd after having a delicious dinner with Ammon, his wife Allison, and their 6 children.

Ammon talks about the origins of his name and the origins of his brothers names who were born after him. He shares stories of family reunions, throwing apricots, laughing at Grandpa's sneezes, the origins of Ammon's many nicknames, the inside jokes he shares with his siblings, his hopes of becoming an inventor when he was a child, his mission experiences in Sweden, and his many brushes with death throughout his youth.

Ammon talks about his time in Iraq and how his mother's prayers quite possibly saved his life. He talks about how he met his wife Allison, their honeymoon. and the crazy turn of events that wound him up in the hospital.

For the final topic, Ammon discusses the importance of education with the Andersens, as well as his ideas for reformation and having teachers become more like mentors and guides with the help of AI to tailor education for each child as they have differing abilities, capabilities, passions, and interests.

Devin, Sarah, and Tim finish up their Arizona cousin trip by visiting the Anderson family. That's AndersOn with an O.

Michelle and Jason Anderson share their life stories, starting with their childhood memories and experiences. Michelle recalls her early years on the farm, her close bond with her cousins, and her family's adventurous road trip to her uncle's zoo. Jason talks about his upbringing in Southern California, his mission in Argentina, and the touching story of helping a family complete their faith journey. They also share the humorous and memorable moments from their dating and proposal, including Michelle's first experience with self-serve frozen yogurt.

The couple discusses their perspectives on education and school choice. Michelle emphasizes the importance of having various schooling options to suit different children's needs, sharing her positive experience with homeschooling and the Empowerment Scholarship Account in Arizona. She also reflects on her grandfather's views on education, highlighting his belief in the importance of religious learning over secular education. The discussion touches on the growing availability of hybrid education options and the need for parents to advocate for school choice in their states.

Michelle and Jason open up about their challenges and hopes for the future. Michelle talks about managing her temper and learning to trust God, while Jason shares his experiences as a doctor, emphasizing the importance of connecting with patients and incorporating scripture into his practice. They look forward to strengthening their relationship as their children grow older and plan to focus more on each other, enjoying more date nights and building great memories together.

In Part 2, Glen and Diana share their personal and professional journeys, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned along the way. Glen, who has been with American Express for 20 years, discusses a particularly challenging project in Greensboro where he had to manage the transition of employees to remote work while dealing with the emotional impact of the site's closure. Diana shares her battle with breast cancer, emphasizing the emotional and mental challenges she faced. She learned to surrender her will to the Lord and found strength in gratitude, which helped her cope with the ups and downs of her treatment.

The conversation delves into the themes of love and forgiveness. Glen reflects on the importance of kindness and showing love and grace in everyday interactions. Diana emphasizes the central role of Jesus Christ in their lives and the importance of turning to Him in every situation. They both discuss how expressing love, even during disagreements, has strengthened their relationship and created a loving family environment. They also address the challenges of forgiveness, sharing the story of Corrie ten Boom as an example of finding the strength to forgive through prayer and reliance on God.

Devin, Sarah, and Tim continue their journey of visiting cousins in Arizona. This is the 2nd interview of the Arizona trip where the Andersens meet up with the Glen and Diana Andersen family.

In part 1 of the episode, Glen shares many memories of cousins, aunts, uncles, and our grandparents. From memories of a cousin accidentally shooting a gun in the Jacob's master bedroom, to building giant snowmen, to dumpster diving and playing with thousands of large yogurt lids, this episode has it all.

Diana shares the amazing story of their courtship and how they decided to get married before the episode comes to a close.

Set a reminder for next week's episode Where Glen and Diana share even more incredible stories and the Andersens discuss the final topic of the episode, "Love and Forgiveness".

Devin, Sarah, and Tim travel down to Phoenix, Arizona to interview 3 cousins. This is the first of those interviews.

In this episode, we join Esther and Steve as they share their experiences and memories with their extended family. Esther reflects on her childhood, her close relationship with her great-grandmother, and the influence of her aunts and uncles. She shares stories of cousins, aunts and uncles, and especially of Grandma and Grandpa Andersen. Esther shares how young she was when she started baby sitting, and Steve and Esther discuss their courtship, marriage, and the challenges and joys they've faced together over nearly 29 years.

Esther and Steve talk about their missions, with Esther serving in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and Steve in Puerto Rico as well. They share how their mission experiences shaped their lives and brought them closer together. The couple also discusses the importance of balancing family time with demanding church callings and work responsibilities, emphasizing the need to prioritize family and make intentional sacrifices.

The episode highlights the significance of one-on-one connections with children and the impact of regular individual talks on their well-being. Esther and Steve share their parenting philosophy and the lessons they've learned about unconditional love and support. They also express their gratitude for their extended family and the positive influence they've had on their lives.

This is part 2 of Devin and Sarah's interview with Dean and Colleen in Hawaii.

In this heartfelt episode, Devin shares personal memories and reflections with his Aunt Colleen and Uncle Dean, who are serving as mission presidents in Hawaii. He recounts his childhood and teenage years, expressing both fear and respect for them, and highlights the significant influence they had on his behavior and values. Devin also reflects on inherited traits and family resemblances, drawing connections between his own mannerisms and those of his father and Uncle Dean.

Devin delves into experiences of confession and forgiveness, particularly regarding a personal journal related to his father's death. He shares special moments, such as receiving a father's blessing and participating in personal priesthood interviews, which helped him feel connected to his late father. Uncle Dean and Aunt Colleen discuss their roles as stake president and mission leaders, describing the intense pace and emotional demands of their service, and expressing their deep love and motivation for their missionaries.

Throughout the episode, the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ is emphasized as the source of true joy and guidance. Devin concludes with a reflection on the word "musubi," relating it to the concept of sealing in the temple, and expresses his belief in the strength and unity of their family, anchored by the gospel, to overcome any hardships through love and faith.

In this episode Cousin David comes to Devin and Sarah's home while visiting his family for the holidays.

David discusses his military service, including deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait, highlighting the challenges and unique experiences he faced. David also talks about his educational journey, his love for reading, and his musical talents, which include playing the piano and drums. His family fondly recalls his sense of humor, athleticism, and the fun activities they enjoyed together, such as ultimate Frisbee and creative games.

David's siblings share memories of his protective nature and quick thinking, recounting instances where he saved them from dangerous situations. They also remember his playful teasing and the various adventures they had growing up, from exploring rooftops in Saudi Arabia to building makeshift slides at home. David's love for learning and his wide range of interests are evident, as he started a family book club and enjoys discussing various topics with his siblings.

The episode also delves into the global demographic crisis, with David and Devin discussing the importance of educating youth about fertility and the consequences of delaying having children. They emphasize the need for honest conversations and support for young men and women to ensure they can achieve their family goals. The discussion highlights the economic and societal impacts of declining birth rates and the importance of prioritizing family life.

In conclusion, David expresses his love and appreciation for his family and the experiences they've shared. He looks forward to the upcoming family reunion in 2026 and continues to stay connected with his siblings despite living far away. Sarah provides an update on their infertility journey, thanking everyone for their support.