Real Connections

Today's episode is an encore and is part 2 of Jami and Keri’s story of growing up as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and coming out as gay. Jamie and Keri talk about their differences in coming out as gay in an LDS culture. They also discuss advice they would give someone struggling with wanting to come out as gay. Jami and Keri talk about some different things they have personally experienced and how their families reconcile them being gay while also being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Also, at the end of this podcast, I've included bonus content from the interview and post interview with Jami, Keri, and Jami's mom Kathie.

To listen click the link below.

iTunes

https://apple.co/2LKZm5v

Website

www.realconnectionspodcast.com

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This week we are going to revisit one of the first episodes I have ever done. Jami and Keri are some incredible women who share their story of going up LDS and coming out as gay. They share their differences and the difficulties that each of them faced. They also share how they continue to make their relationships with their families work, despite leaving their LDS faith while their families remain faithful members.

Katy talks about the difficulties of choosing to stay married instead of going through with her divorce. She shares what made her want to fight for her marriage. Katy talks about how each of her children have handled the situation differently and what their processes have each looked like. I'm so excited for you to hear about Katy's "Project Lemonade" where she is trying to involve women who have experienced betrayal trauma to give purpose to their pain by helping other women with their betrayal trauma. It's truly inspiring!

Katy talks about how her husband disclosed when they were engaged that he had been addicted to pornography prior to him meeting her, but that he was sober. She talks about how they decided to get married and things went smoothly for a while. Katy shares how a few years into their marriage, major stressors started to unfold and that Mark's addiction resurfaced in a really devastating and unexpected way.

Lizzy talks about what she wishes every addict and family member of an addict knew about addiction. She also shares what she does now in order to keep in recovery. Lizzy talks about what addicts are like and what they aren't like and also what it was like for her going to jail. Come listen as she discusses the moment she felt the Spirit again for the first time since she started recovery. It's an uplifting episode with the message that anyone can change.

Lizzy shares her journey with opioid addiction that started a few months after having her first daughter. She found herself depressed and with headaches and quickly found opioids as an escape from the depression. After months of lying to her husband and those she loved, she was caught and was sentenced to jail. Come listen and be inspired as she talks about her journey of finding her way back to the religious faith that she had prior to her addiction and the hope that she now finds in recovery.

Jenna talks about the unexpected blessings that have come as a result of having Jackson in her life. Jenna describes ways that having this experience has impacted her marriage - all in good ways. Come listen and be inspired as she gives amazing advice on how to help our children approach those that seem different then us.

Jenna shares her 3 lessons she's learned from this experience which include

1. Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives. He knows us individually & has a plan. 

2. It causes a change in perspective for the better. You really realize what a gift our bodies are & what a gift life is.

3. You are your child’s advocate! (& your own advocate). If something’s not right or you keep having a certain thought, follow that. You have to follow your mothers intuition.

Jenna shares her story of having a baby and several months later, finding out he had a disability. She talks about her experiences in her life that prepared her to be a mom to her incredible little boy, Jackson. Jenna shares how she needed to grieve the life she thought she'd have and then accepting her new life that she loves. Come listen and be inspired as she discusses the role her faith has played and the advice she has for moms of children with or without a disability.

Shey continues her journey with divorce and talks about her faith for her future. She also explains her "Daughter of a King" project which as helped in her healing process. Come listen and be inspired as Shey shares the 3 things she's learned from her divorce for you to apply in your own life.

Shey talks about her divorce that came after years of trying to make her marriage work.  She talks about her devastation in having her marriage end and also what she has gained and how her faith has been strengthened so much through it all.