Faith Transitions

As promised, we are sharing another episode of the Faith Transitions podcast. Today we share the story of the co-host and creator of the Faith Transitions project, RobVox. Rob has agreed to share his story as the final episode of our project. We are stepping away from the mic for a season. We may return, but for now we are ending this part of the project to move on to a book we are developing around what we have learned over the past year+. A brief note about this episode: we had a bit of audio trouble, so during the editing process Rob decided to have a bit of fun and include some music as he was fixing some of the gaps (one occurs right after his comments about The Lion King). We hope you enjoy this final chapter as Rob talks about his journey in faith as he describes a traditional Mormon upbringing, getting into a fight with an “entire gang” while serving a mission, and how his academic pursuits challenged his faith. Plus so much more! Re the numbering: had one lost episode, sorry, you know who you are…and a couple of double episodes, so we are numbering this final episode #33. Be well and keep in touch all!

Welcome back everyone! Today we continue our series on transition and stay stories. Kristine talks to us about her journey through Mormonism as she goes through the motions of checking righteous boxes, begins to put things on her shelf, watching that shelf break, and then putting it back together again.

As promised, today we begin a series on transition and stay stories. Jim McLachlan is a professor of philosophy at Western Carolina University and talks to us about his unconventional faith and transition. Join us as we talk with him about living life as a Mormon while carry questions and doubts across most major life events, including serving as a bishop. UPDATED: There was some strange issue with the server pulling the previous episode. I think I have it fixed, if you have any problems, refresh and redownload. It should be good to go!

I am very excited to share this Faith Transition story with everyone. Today we turn the microphone around on my co-host Nancy. Nancy talks to us about growing up without a mother, effectively moving out permanently at age of 13, dealing with her mother’s suicide a few years later, and through it all her desire to earn the love of God as she tried to compete on team Mormonism with zeal. Nancy eventually serves on the first Ordain Women board as the movement was first taking off and has actively been working within the Mormon Feminist movement ever since. We are all very lucky to have Nancy to guide us through the Faith Transition landscapes that we share here at FT.com. Transition and stay stories coming soon.

Thanks to Lindi for talking to us today about her Faith Transition. We chatted about finding faith in community and how a community can (and sometimes does not) sustain faith, being a person of both progressive and conservative faith. Up next, a series on faith transitions and staying. Running late this morning, but more details coming soon!

  Today on Faith Transitions we talk with Charity Ann about her journey in faith. Among many things discussed, an important topic that we cover with Charity is one that comes up frequently when people reach out to us. The topic: sex and intimacy as “sin” in the Mormon faith. By way of preview: in September, we begin a series showcasing stories about people who have transitioned and decided to remain with their faith, even after dealing with challenges to that belief. More on that soon!

I am going to leave the introduction brief; we have an important story for you today on Faith Transitions. We are joined by Augustus, he shares a powerful and emotional transition journey that we hope you will be willing to share with all of your contacts! A few resources: * you can connect with Augustus here: LINK and a video here: LINK * USGA at BYU at this: LINK and this: LINK Thanks for allowing us to share in your journey Augustus!

Today on Faith Transitions we again step away from Mormonism to further explore the connections and trials experienced by Mormon cousins in the Community of Christ. This episode comes to us from Emily Rose. Emily is a priest and pastor for the Community of Christ congregation in southern Utah. She talks with us about her experiences growing up in the real Dixie, as in Alabama and the southern regions of the United States, emptying her cup of faith, and then filling it up again. You can connect with Emily on Facebook at this LINK, on Instragram at this LINK, or on Twitter via this LINK.

In the wake of much turmoil at BYU (see example 1 and/or example 2), relating to issues surrounding the “honor code” we are pleased to bring you the Faith Transition stories of Ryan Bowcutt and Brad Levin. Ryan is the co-founder of Free BYU (website link) and Brad serves as a managing admin for Free BYU (Facebook link). They both talk to us about how their faith was central to their lives during their youth, proselytizing service missions for the Mormon church, and then experiencing a challenge to their faith while attending BYU – Provo. Experiencing a Faith Transition with attending BYU can mean expulsion: LINK. Living through this stress is what motivated Ryan to found Free BYU, but before we get to that point in the story, we cover all of the rest.

As promised, we are breaking away from the Mormon Transition stories for a few episodes to bring you some great non-Mo transition stories. Today we are joined by Caroline Greene, an experienced spiritual adviser, life coach, and deeply mindful seeker. But, her story doesn’t start that way! Caroline talks to us about doubt in the face of losing her father during childhood, experiencing personal miracles and revelation, and finding ways to identify God in the space between hope and doubt. You can connect with Caroline on her website at this: LINK or on Facebook via this: LINK. We are working on a series of stories about transitioning and staying within Mormonism. Watch for that toward the end of summer.

Join us today as we talk with April Carlson about her experience growing up aware of her “Lamanite” heritage, growing up politically and religiously conservative, experiencing Mormonism in the area around Berkeley California, and how feminism shaped her view of faith across the years. Plus we hit on topics like surviving a “numbers mission”, moving home with Mom & Dad, and then facing a major faith transition.

Episode 20 feels like a milestone; so, to commemorate 20 great episodes we are excited to share with you the faith transition story of someone most, if not all of you, will know, Kate Kelly. Kate walks us through her childhood, recounts her positive time at BYU – Provo, her mission service, foundations for Ordain Women, the build up to her excommunication, and finally how she has adjusted to life post Mormonism. You can connect with Kate on Facebook at this: LINK We’ve had a great run of Mormon Faith Transition stories of late, but we will again be stepping outside of the LDS world to share more non-Mormon faith transition stories. More on that coming very soon. Wishing everyone a great start to summer of 2016!      

Join us for this great episode of Faith Transitions as Natalie & Taylor talk to us about transitions, modesty, nude beaches, and the possibility of being wrong as they go through their story together and apart; and, ultimately how they are making it work today. Natalie and Taylor met in high school, but didn’t begin to seriously date until their college years at BYU – Provo. Shortly after meeting, Taylor left to serve an LDS mission; Natalie wrote to Taylor faithfully for the full two years. Natalie and Taylor were married three months after Taylor arrived home from his mission service. Shortly after, they move to the Caribbean for Taylor’s medial schooling and training, and during this time Natalie begins to transition in her faith, eventually deciding to leave the Mormon tradition; while Taylor remains firm in his faith.  

In this edition of the Faith Transitions podcast we are joined by Josh Mangelson. Josh talks to us about growing up in a community where his peers tormented him at scouts, but at church he often acted as their leader. He talks about serving a mission and having his magic world view destroyed as he waited to have the gift of tongues bestowed upon him, post-mission dating, a shelf growing heavy with issues, challenges occurring that drove a wedge between him and his spouse, his parents, and then finally the joy of finding hope again with the Community of Christ. You can also catch up with Josh at Project Zion.

Today on Faith Transitions we are joined by J. Nelson Seawright. J talks to use about growing up in a home where the battle between good and evil / light and darkness was palpable. He goes on to describe how many of his experiences with Mormon leadership caused him to question his faith as well as challenges he faced with body image, cutting, and other thoughts of suicide. J. has also been an active member of the Mormon blogging community (bloggernacle) where he has gone by various names including “Roasted Tomatoes”. Join us as we discuss with J the ups and downs of his journey!