Guest:

Dr. Jessica Spence Moss — Executive Director of the Interfaith Youth Alliance, professor, and Latter-day Saint whose work helps youth use faith and values as a moral compass for service and compassion.

In this episode:

• How interfaith work strengthens, not threatens, faith

• The difference between serving and proselyting

• Helping youth find meaning through connection and discomfort

• Why learning others’ “spiritual languages” can deepen our own

• The power of showing up with love and humility in divided times

Mentioned in this episode:

• Interfaith Youth Alliance

• Interfaith Youth Alliance on Instagram

Upcoming with That’s Church:

• 🌍 From Bias to Belonging: An Interfaith Call to Compassion — Friday, December 6 at Compass Gallery. Join Rabbi Sam Spector and Imam Shuaib Din as they share the stage for a courageous and hopeful conversation about unity and peacemaking during a time of global tension.

• 📚 That’s Church Book Club — explore faith, growth, and belonging with us.

• ⛪ Christmas Eve Field Trip — a peaceful morning visiting a local congregation together.

Connect with That’s Church:

🌐 thatschurch.org

📸 @thatschurchpodcast

Rising Violet

Before we dive in, we want to highlight Rising Violet, the nonprofit Tiffany founded. Rising Violet provides one-time $1,000 gifts to women pursuing financial independence, with priority given to mothers who once relied on a partner and now need to be self-supporting. Applications are accepted three times a year (deadlines: Jan 31, May 31, Sep 30). Applicants must live in the U.S., complete a short essay and call with a board member, and consent to a background check limited to financial crimes. These gifts are a powerful way to help women move toward stability with dignity.

Episode summary

Allyson Reynolds and Tiffany Sowby, co-hosts of The Sisterhood Podcast, join us to talk about friendship, faith, and the power of hard conversations. Their podcast was born out of a love for women’s stories and a need for candid dialogue around the intersection of faith, politics, social issues, and interfaith experiences. Together, they’ve built a space where women who love the gospel but sometimes struggle with the church can feel less alone.

About our guests

The Sisterhood Podcast grew from Allyson and Tiffany’s years of writing and organizing with Power of Moms. Over time it has evolved into an encouraging place for women across the faith spectrum—orthodox, nuanced, or post-LDS.

• Allyson grew up mostly in the Midwest, has lived all over the U.S., and now lives in Minnesota.

• Tiffany was born and raised in England and now lives in Utah. Together they’re raising nine kids, plus a dog and some goats.

What we cover

• The friendship and creative spark that led to The Sisterhood Podcast

• Why they resisted becoming “just another Mormon mom podcast” and leaned into broader women’s issues

• How interfaith experiences shaped their faith and outlook

• Backing each other up in church conversations, not just speaking out

• Creating a welcoming space across the faith spectrum

• Why practice makes hard conversations easier

Stories & themes

• Tiffany’s interfaith childhood: growing up LDS near London alongside Catholic, Muslim, and Hindu friends

• Allyson’s perspective shift: from an “only true church” mindset in the Midwest to learning from a Muslim roommate at BYU and later a mission in Japan

• Utah culture chats: the “mission field” mindset and assumptions about who is or isn’t LDS

• Learning to speak up: why courage and community matter in making space for diverse voices

Books mentioned

• If the Tide Turns — Rachel Rueckert

• The Distance Between Us — Reyna Grande

• The Courage to Be Disliked — Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga

Light-hearted closers

Stories of bumpers needing babysitters, surprise window encounters after a shower, and awkward pediatrician moments because we always end with humor.

Connect with us

Follow along for updates on episodes, events, field trips, and our upcoming retreat:

• Instagram: @thatschurchpodcast

• Website: thatschurch.org

Guests:

• Ashli Carnicelli – Writer, singer, and passionate believer in the Divine Feminine

• Trina Caudle – Editor, historian, scoutmaster, and macro-photographer

• McArthur Krishna – Author, artist, and advocate for spiritual wholeness

Topics Covered:

• Ashli’s Catholic upbringing and connection to Mary, the mother of Jesus

• McArthur’s years in India and insights into Hindu goddesses and the Divine Feminine

• Trina’s interfaith experience as a scoutmaster in Methodist and Presbyterian spaces

• Tangible stories of connection with Heavenly Mother

• How Mother in Heaven: A Gospel Topics Essay Study Guide came to life

• Advice for those just beginning to explore their relationship with Heavenly Mother

Resources Mentioned:

• 📘 Mother in Heaven: A Gospel Topics Essay Study Guide – Order on Amazon

• 📝 Gospel Topics Essay: Mother in Heaven – Read it here

Follow Us:

📸 Instagram: @thatschurchpodcast

🎧 Listen to Meagan’s podcast Beyond the Shadow of Doubt wherever you get your podcasts

🧘‍♀️ SPONSOR SHOUTOUT

We’re also excited to share something personal that’s been helping us on our own spiritual path. Maryam Jubera of Mental Mocean offers “meditations that move the mind”and they truly do. With a Master’s in Coaching and advanced NLP certification, plus a life full of real healing, Maryam brings unmatched depth to her work.

Her online meditation program is just $5/month, and it’s designed to be accessible, transformative, and lasting. You can find her on Instagram at @mentalmocean and explore her offerings at www.mentalmocean.life. Use our code THATCHURCH50 when you join.

In Part Two, we continue our conversation with Casey McFarland co-host of Pioneering Paradox. This time, we explore:

• Casey’s experience attending 50+ churches with his wife and kids

• What interfaith experiences taught him about faith and empathy

• The power of curiosity in healing spiritual and cultural divides

• Why he believes God “has no favorites”

• Reflections on sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the Qur’an

• His upcoming Italy tours and Superstition Tour with Patrick Mason

• His role on our new That’s Church nonprofit board as Executive Research Board Member

Follow Casey & Learn More:

• Instagram: @pioneeringparadox

• Travel Tours & Updates: www.iamcasey.com/travel

In this episode, we sit down with Casey McFarland, co-host along with Wil Wood of Pioneering Paradox and the voice behind one of Instagram’s most thoughtful spaces for conflicted Latter-day Saints. We discuss:

• How to talk to teens about Church history and faith struggles

• What it means to be honest without oversharing

• Casey’s own break from religion and what he learned visiting over 50 churches

• Building bridges between nuanced and orthodox members

• Casey’s Italy tours and upcoming Superstition Tour with Patrick Mason

Big news: That’s Church is now an official nonprofit! And Casey has joined our board as Executive Research Board Member. Stay tuned, we’ve got exciting things ahead.

Follow Casey & Learn More:

• Instagram: @pioneeringparadox

• Travel Tours & Updates: www.iamcasey.com/travel

  
  

Follow That's Church. :

• Instagram: ⁠@thatschurchpodcast

Guest: Kurt Francom

• Founder and Executive Director of Leading Saints

• Host of the Leading Saints Podcast – available anywhere you get your podcasts

• Author of Is God Disappointed in Me? Removing Shame from a Gospel of Grace – Get it here on Amazon (available in paperback and audio)

Follow Kurt on Instagram:@leadingsaints

Episode Highlights:

• Kurt’s perspective on grace and why God isn’t disappointed in us

• The difference between correction and disappointment

• The role of grace and commandments in our relationship with God

• How visiting other faiths has enriched his spiritual understanding

🎉 Upcoming Event! 🎉

Join us for our Divine Feminine and Women’s Empowerment Event on National Women’s Day, March 8th, from 5 PM to 8 PM at The Compass Gallery in Provo, Utah.

✨ This event is for both men and women who want to explore the power of the divine feminine through art, conversation, and meaningful connections.

🎟️ Get your tickets now at: tinyurl.com/empower2025

Thanks for listening to That’s Church! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Follow us on Instagram @thatschurchpodcast for more updates and behind-the-scenes content!

In this episode of That’s Church!, we sit down with Kristy Lawson, who grew up Lutheran in Utah, an experience that made her part of a religious minority in a predominantly LDS culture. We talk about how that shaped her beliefs, the ways she connected with faith, and how she’s navigated life in a place where the majority religion can be deeply ingrained in the culture.

Kristy is also legally blind, and later in the episode, we have an open and insightful discussion about how her vision has impacted her life. She shares stories of overcoming obstacles, building resilience, and even how her work as a massage therapist has given her a unique perspective on human connection.

But that’s not all—Kristy is also an incredibly talented musician! She was the lead singer in a band and even opened for several well-known artists. Check out her music here: Kristy Lawson - Live Performance.

We also talk about:

✨ The differences between religious communities in Utah

✨ Navigating friendships and faith identity in a dominant religious culture

✨ How vision challenges shaped Kristy’s personal strength

✨ The importance of genuine kindness and breaking down barriers between people of different backgrounds

Don’t forget to grab your tickets for our upcoming Divine Feminine and Women’s Empowerment Event on March 8th! Get yours at tinyurl.com/empower2025.

Follow us on Instagram: @thatschurchpodcast

Rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

Happy New Year! In this very raw and real conversation, we sit down with Pastor Jeff McCullough, the creator of Hello Saints, a YouTube channel with over 66,000 subscribers where he explores the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a refreshing and respectful approach. As an evangelical Protestant pastor, Pastor Jeff brings a unique perspective to interfaith dialogue.

We really enjoyed discussing the nuances of each other’s religions — it was a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation. Jeff shares his experiences visiting LDS services, his views on connection, love, and the importance of growing through tension.

We discuss:

• Jeff’s inspiring sermon at Sego Church in South Jordan, Utah

• Commonalities and differences between evangelical and LDS beliefs

• How interfaith conversations build understanding

• Facing fear and embracing growth through discomfort

• Jeff’s personal journey into building his very viral Youtube channel and exploring the LDS faith

Jeff’s peaceful approach to building bridges across religious communities reminds us of the beauty of unity over uniformity.

Guest: Pastor Jeff McCullough – Hello Saints on YouTube

Watch Jeff’s channel: Hello Saints YouTube

Follow Us:

Instagram: @thatschurchpodcast

Podcast Episodes: Available on all major platforms

In this episode, Emilie Call and Ashlie Sanders sit down with Michelle Peper, the voice behind @edge_of_inside, to discuss her journey from a sixth-generation Mormon upbringing to redefining her faith and spirituality after leaving the LDS Church. Michelle shares her experiences navigating a faith transition with her husband, Bob, finding a new religious home in the First Congregational United Church of Christ, and building a supportive community through social media.

Michelle also talks about her meaningful work as a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project, as well as her passions for music, soapmaking, hiking, pickleball, and, of course, spending time with her beloved dogs.

Topics Covered:

• Michelle’s six-generation LDS heritage and life in Southern Idaho

• Her and Bob’s shared faith transition and finding a new spiritual community

• The creation of her Instagram account, @edge_of_inside, and its impact

• Redefining religion, God, and meaning-making post-LDS life

• Volunteering with The Trevor Project and its personal rewards

• Finding joy in hobbies and everyday life

Resources Mentioned:

• Michelle’s Instagram: @edge_of_inside

• First Congregational United Church of Christ

• The Trevor Project

Connect With Us:

• Instagram: @thatschurchpodcast

Thank you for tuning in! Share your thoughts on this episode by tagging us and Michelle on Instagram, and let us know what resonated with you. #deconstruction

Guest: Jenan Mohajir

Topics Discussed:

• A heartfelt discussion about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its ripple effects globally, especially in the United States.

• Reflections on navigating polarization in America and fostering unity through meaningful action.

• The meaningful conversation Jenan had as a Muslim woman with her friend Rebecca Russo, a Jewish woman, exploring their mutual respect and shared hope for peace.

• Practical steps to create peace and foster understanding across lines of difference.

• Jenan’s background as a storyteller, educator, and bridge-builder.

• The power of interfaith dialogue and civically engaged leadership.

• Stories from Jenan’s personal journey, including her family’s inspiring legacy of service.

Resources Mentioned:

• Podcast: Faith in the Elections

• Podcast: Voices of Interfaith America https://www.interfaithamerica.org/voices-of-ia/

• Interfaith America Magazine

• Online Curriculum: Bridge Builder Basics

Key Quotes:

• “True, there is silver under the darkness, but few care to dig in the night for the possible treasure of stars.” – Gwendolyn Brooks, as shared by Jenan.

• “Diversity is not just the differences you like, but also the differences you don’t.” – Ibu Patel, founder of Interfaith America.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @thatschurchpodcast

• Subscribe to “That’s Church!” wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank you for listening! Let’s continue to build bridges, create peace, and respect each other’s stories.