Mormon Stories Podcast

Continuing our Mormon Stories series on drug addiction, we interview Graham.  In this interview, Graham discusses: His early years as a true-believing Mormon His battle with Cystic Fibrosis and chronic pain as a youth Being introduced to drugs as a teen Attending BYU and making the decision to leave and not pursue a full-time mission How difficult events in his life led to his addiction to “hard drugs” as a young adult, and his recovery attempts Graham’s current views on addiction and the recovery process We thank Graham for providing his experience-based insight into the difficult process of recovery to all of our listeners.

In these important episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Thomas to understand his journey in overcoming opiate addiction.  As opiate use reaches epidemic proportions in the United States and numerous other places in the world, many of our listeners have been impacted by the epidemic in some way.  There are multiple facets to this story we cover including: How childhood sexual abuse had a direct affect on Thomas' later drug use How the LDS Church's messaging on sexuality played a major role in negatively shaping his self-identity Learning to use drugs as a tool to avoid feeling What it was like living a life addicted to drugs How family, friends, and church authority/members can better help struggling addicts The impact his crisis of faith has on his life now, and his vision for the future We thank Thomas for bravely sharing his story, and know it will impact many, many lives for good.

In these important episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Thomas to understand his journey in overcoming opiate addiction.  As opiate use reaches epidemic proportions in the United States and numerous other places in the world, many of our listeners have been impacted by the epidemic in some way.  There are multiple facets to this story we cover including: How childhood sexual abuse had a direct affect on Thomas' later drug use How the LDS Church's messaging on sexuality played a major role in negatively shaping his self-identity Learning to use drugs as a tool to avoid feeling What it was like living a life addicted to drugs How family, friends, and church authority/members can better help struggling addicts The impact his crisis of faith has on his life now, and his vision for the future We thank Thomas for bravely sharing his story, and know it will impact many, many lives for good.

With dueling “breaking news” events on September 21 within Mormondom, John tackles both topics with guests John Hamer and Wesley Monahan. At a hefty price tag of $35M, the LDS Church purchased the original printer’s manuscript of the Book of Mormon from the Community of Christ who held it in possession for over 100 years.  To understand the implications of the purchase, we interview one of Mormon Stories’ favorites—John Hamer—pastor of the Community of Christ in Toronto.  We discuss what the manuscript is and its history, as well as the possible CoC motivations for the sell. In another surprising twist, Brigham Young University announced that it would begin to sell caffeinated beverages on its campus, ending a ban on the sale of traditional colas that dated back to the 1950’s.  We discuss the original reasons for the ban, and how those explanations for the ban evolved over time to become solely an economic decision.  Wesley Monahan of Caffeine Corner, a current BYU student who is the proprietor of a service that delivers caffeinated beverages to students on campus, gives his take on the revelation and how it may (or may not) affect his business.

With dueling “breaking news” events on September 21 within Mormondom, John tackles both topics with guests John Hamer and Wesley Monahan. At a hefty price tag of $35M, the LDS Church purchased the original printer’s manuscript of the Book of Mormon from the Community of Christ who held it in possession for over 100 years.  To understand the implications of the purchase, we interview one of Mormon Stories’ favorites—John Hamer—pastor of the Community of Christ in Toronto.  We discuss what the manuscript is and its history, as well as the possible CoC motivations for the sell. In another surprising twist, Brigham Young University announced that it would begin to sell caffeinated beverages on its campus, ending a ban on the sale of traditional colas that dated back to the 1950’s.  We discuss the original reasons for the ban, and how those explanations for the ban evolved over time to become solely an economic decision.  Wesley Monahan of Caffeine Corner, a current BYU student who is the proprietor of a service that delivers caffeinated beverages to students on campus, gives his take on the revelation and how it may (or may not) affect his business.

In these episodes, we interview Lex de Azevedo -- son of Alyce King of The King Sisters. He served as a musical director for The Sonny & Cher Show, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, and The Osmonds. He composed the scores for the films Where the Red Fern Grows and The Swan Princess. He is also credited as the co-writer of the Latter-day Saint production, Saturday's Warrior.

In these episodes, we interview Lex de Azevedo -- son of Alyce King of The King Sisters. He served as a musical director for The Sonny & Cher Show, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, and The Osmonds. He composed the scores for the films Where the Red Fern Grows and The Swan Princess. He is also credited as the co-writer of the Latter-day Saint production, Saturday's Warrior.

In these episodes, we interview Lex de Azevedo -- son of Alyce King of The King Sisters. He served as a musical director for The Sonny & Cher Show, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, and The Osmonds. He composed the scores for the films Where the Red Fern Grows and The Swan Princess. He is also credited as the co-writer of the Latter-day Saint production, Saturday's Warrior.

In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast we interview the incredibly successful Mehrsa Baradaran. Mehrsa and her family immigrated from Iran to the United States when she was 9. After joining the Mormon church, Mehrsa graduated from BYU and New York University law school, became law school faculty at both BYU and University of Georgia (where she now works). She is the author of two books: - How the other half banks: Exclusion, Exploitation, and the Threat to Democracy - The Color of Money: Black Banking and the Racial Wealth Gap In addition to her successful career, she is the mother of three children, and identifies as an Immigrant, liberal, Mormon, Muslim, feminist, lawyer, mother who generally dislikes labels. Topics of focus for today's episode include: Race and Mormonism, Mormons and Social Justice, and Tribalism and Mormon Identity.

In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast we interview the incredibly successful Mehrsa Baradaran. Mehrsa and her family immigrated from Iran to the United States when she was 9. After joining the Mormon church, Mehrsa graduated from BYU and New York University law school, became law school faculty at both BYU and University of Georgia (where she now works). She is the author of two books: - How the other half banks: Exclusion, Exploitation, and the Threat to Democracy - The Color of Money: Black Banking and the Racial Wealth Gap In addition to her successful career, she is the mother of three children, and identifies as an Immigrant, liberal, Mormon, Muslim, feminist, lawyer, mother who generally dislikes labels. Topics of focus for today's episode include: Race and Mormonism, Mormons and Social Justice, and Tribalism and Mormon Identity.