Justin tithed on birthday money. Jim had iced tea and a dad who questioned God’s batting average. Together? They grew up Mormon in very different ways, and somehow lived to tell about it. From holy underwear to fig-leaf cosplay and the eternal shame of Coca-Cola, the stew chefs spill their origin stories in part one of Mormon Recovery. It’s honest. It’s uncomfortable. It’s funny as hell. Sacred? Maybe. Secret? Not anymore. 

Episode 1: A Father's Nightmare

In the inaugural episode of Reprobate Stew, hosts Justin and Jim dive deep into one of life's most devastating experiences. Justin shares the harrowing story of February 1st - the day that changed everything when he received a call about his 20-year-old son Kyle's critical motorcycle accident in St. George, Utah.

From a frantic rush to catch the last flight out of Dallas to making impossible medical decisions in a hospital room, Justin walks us through those first brutal hours and the agonizing choice to remove life support. The conversation explores the raw reality of loss, including the challenge of planning two funeral services and delivering eulogies as a grieving father.

Beyond the tragedy itself, Justin and Jim examine how grief affects families, the physical toll of loss, and the surprising ways communities rally around those in crisis. They discuss religion, spirituality, and finding meaning in random tragedy, while touching on the difference between families that are torn apart by loss versus those that find ways to stay together.

This deeply personal episode sets an unexpectedly serious tone for what promises to be a wide-ranging podcast about life, loss, and everything in between.

Content warning: This episode deals with death, grief, and medical trauma.

Hosts: Justin Shelley & Jim Runtime: Approximately 75 minutes