Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

My nephew and friend Richie Ostler joins me to talk about dealing with life challenges and changing expectations. One area of changing expectations is his mission where he was assigned to Quito, Ecuador but then served in Minneapolis, Minnesota (for 6 months) before eventually serving in Quito Ecuador. Because of COVID-19, Richie returned home after about a year in Ecuador. Richie had many experiences helping people come to Christ through our restored Church. Richie’s faithful mission was much different than his original expectations—but he served diligently and has great insights for others with changed mission expectations. Another area of life challenges is his mother Ann’s death 6 years ago when Richie was 13 year old. Richie talks about Ann’s example and continue role for good in his life. Richie also shares being a missionary and receiving the devastating news in Feb 2020 that his five-year-old nephew Sammy Glauser died in an tragic accident. Richie has great insights in the role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal from difficult earthly experiences. Thanks for being on the podcast Richie. You are wise beyond your years and your insights will help many.

My friend Paul Hoybjerg, active LDS/BYU Law School graduate, joins us to talk about protecting our children from sexaul abuse. Paul is an attorney in California and advocates for victims of abuse and negligence. From his legal work and life experiences, he has wonderful insights for parents and those who have experienced abuse. Paul talks about how abusers will groom and isolate their victims, groups that are at risk, warning signs, available resources, and how to heal from abuse. If you are a parent, this podcast will give you better tools and insights to protect your children and have better communication skills so children will open up if they if they are in unhealthy situations. Thanks for being on the podcast Paul and your great work to help protect our children. This podcast will help so many. If you have any additional questions for Paul, you can email him at abuseattorney@gmail.com.

My friend Matt, in his 30’s and a financial planner, share his story as a gay Latter-day Saints. Matt, who grew up in New Jersey and served a mission in Houston Texas, shares his journey going from shame around his sexual orientation to being at peace this is who his is—and what makes his needed life mission possible. Matt doesn’t look in the mirror and see someone who is broken—but a beloved son of God. Matt talks about choosing to live the Gospel, focusing on God and not Church culture, temple attendance, accepting other’s paths, behavior versus heart, and how being gay isn’t a trial. A frequent theme of this podcast is eliminating shame around sexual orientation. Thanks for being on the podcast Matt. I learned so much listening to your story. You are a great man, with a pure heart and an ability to love and help others. Thanks for sharing your story—it will help so many. You can also listen to Matt’s story on this North Star video: https://www.northstarlds.org/voh-profile-matt

My friend Jared Halverson, finishing up a PHD in American Religious History from Vanderbilt University Divinity School, joins me to talk about how to help Latter-day Saints with honest questions. I became aware of Jared from these excellent LDS Living Videos: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=518222565797021 and https://www.facebook.com/LDSLiving/videos/222190582197378/ If you have questions about the Church or want better tools to help those with questions, please listen and share this podcast. Brother Halverson helps us understand that questions are positive steps in developing our faith and testimony. Thank you for being on the podcast, Jared. I was personally deeply touched by the things you shared and your insights into our restored Church. You have a beautiful and unique ministry to help in improve our culture to normalize asking questions and help more of our wonderful members have better tools to stay in our Church.

My friend Jessica joins us to talk about her journey with Scrupulosity and Relationship OCD. While serving in the Albuquerque, New Mexico mission, Jessica worked through several difficult episodes with Scrupulosity. She has great insights to help others. Jessica also has Relationship OCD and give us helpful insights to better understand and manage it. You can learn more about this at https://ocdla.com/ Thanks for being on the podcast Jessica. You are brave, faithful and courageous. You story and insights will help so many!

My friend Hannah Larson (active LDS, RM, Graduating from BYU in June 2020) joins us to talk about spiritual impressions to start the Humans of BYU Instagram account (@humansofbyu). This account brings voice to BYU students who walk a difficult and unique road. It is part of Hannah’s vision of helping us learn to be vulnerable and authentic so we can better love each other. The stories on this account are awesome and I encourage everyone to follow this account. Thank you for being on the podcast Hannah. You are helping us come together as Latter-day Saints to better love and support each other.

My friend Nic Quilter joins us to share his thoughts and insights about our LGBTQ+ members. I became aware of Nic from his excellent essay which I encourage everyone to read: https://medium.com/@quiknilter/climbing-trees-and-other-things-youre-not-supposed-to-do-bd720255a49a Thanks for being on the podcast Nic. It is members like you that give me so much hope for the future of our Church and society. Keep using you awesome gifts to help and bless others. Glad and honored to count you as a friend.

My friend Cory Wolfenbarger (married father of six, former Bishop) shares his journey being an early release missionary from Russia because of his emotional health. Cory ended up finishing his mission in Seattle. Cory is joined on the podcast by his two sons. Holden, age 21, was serving in Nicaragua when political unrest forces out all the missionaries. Holden finished in Long Beach, California. Elder Mac Wolfenbarger just returned from Vietnam because the coronavirus pandemic. Still a set-apart missionary, Elder Wolfenbarger shares insights and gospel principals that keeps him grounded in this middle of many unknown. Great podcast for any missionary, local leader, or family dealing with changing missionary expectations with the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks you for being on the podcast and your great insights to help others walking this road.

My friend David Smurthwaite, in his early 40’s and active LDS, joins us to share is multiple-decade journey with gender dysphoria. David helps us understand that gender dysphoria is real and shares his journey working closely with Heavenly Father, his good wife Marisa, and therapists to understand and manage it. David is no longer living with the shame allowing him to have better relationships with everyone, better emotional health and a better relationship with Heavenly Father. David shared his story on this blog post to help others: : https://medium.com/one-truth/we-are-all-queer-disciples-of-christ-6257e07a3da9?source=friends_link&sk=acb1c7c7d60835e50058362722484083 Thank you my friend David for being on the podcast and sharing your story. You are a great man helping us all better understand Latter-day Saints with gender dysphoria. Your story will heal and give hope to many.

Episode 253: Quiana Chase Gines, Active LDS, Married, Gender Dysphoria and Bisexual by Richard Ostler

My friend Alex Versey joins us to share his story. Alex talks about his father’s Brian’s death in a car accident when he was 3 years old and his mother’s Jana remarriage and her strong testimony of the Church. Alex, a returned missionary from Fresno California and a former EQ President, talks about being a gay Latter-day Saint. Alex has great insights into other all of us as he walks this road. Thanks for being on the podcast, Alex. You are a great man and a wonderful disciple of Christ.

My friend Megan Goates joins us to share the joys and challenges of raising three sons on the autism spectrum. Her oldest son is ‘typically developing’ and preparing for a mission. The focus of the podcast is on her second son, Jack age 15, who is non-verbal and in a group home. Megan shares the personal revelation that led to that decision and the spiritual goodness of Jack. If you are raising a child like Jack or want to better support someone, please listen to the insights, experiences, personal revelation, and role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that Megan and her husband Jeff are receiving.

My friend Brittney Herman bravely shares her story surviving multiple sexual assaults. Brittney, who did nothing wrong, has great insights to help others walking this road to heal, and hope and move forward. Brittney started a nonprofit called “We Will” (wewillorg.com) to help sexual assault survivors. You can also following Brittney’s work on Instagram @we.will.organization and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/we.will.organization/ Brittney has great insights working through trauma, being angry at Heavenly Father and connecting with Heavenly Mother, role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, solving shame, and realizing she didn’t do anything wrong. Brittney also the importance of parents teaching their kids consent, coercion and refusal skills. Thanks for being on the podcast Brittney. You are one of my new heroes. You bravely sharing your story is giving hope and healing to so many.

My friend Bob Burggraff joins us to share his story. Bob and his dear wife Inma are the parents of 4 children and one grandchild. Bob has experience gender dysphoria his whole life and it has been a painful and difficult road. Bob talks about what he is doing to cope with his dysphoria and why he now considers himself detrains. Bob honored all the paths those who are transgender walk and ask that people honor his path. I’ve learned that gender dysphoria is real. These good people are not being deceived or making this up. I’ve also learned that each story is unique and I’m so grateful for Bob’s courage to share his story. Bob also has a podcast called “Faith and Gender” at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-and-gender/id1498053947. Thanks for being on the podcast Bob. You and Inma are awesome!

My friend Dennis Schleicher joins me to update our listeners on his service, journey and work. Dennis (who joined us on Episode 108) is now a LDS literary agent, talks about his firesides, his work in his EQ Presidency and North Star. Dennis also shares answers he get to common question from other Latter-day Saints. You can buy Dennis’ book at: https://www.amazon.com/He-Nuts-Become-Member-Church/dp/1462135714 Thanks for being on the podcast my friend Dennis. You have a beautiful and unique life mission to help many unto Christ.