Peculiar People: An Ex-Mormon Podcast

TW: Mentions of sexual assault, self-harm, and suicide.Karina shares her story of growing up in Mormonism and what it's like realizing that your whole life has been a lie. CES Letter (print): https://cesletter.org/CES Letter (audio): https://archive.org/details/CESletterNote: We are not experts--we are just humans with real-life experience.

Sammi shares what it's like being deeply invested in the church just to realize that you can't stand by the beliefs and history that you spent your whole life defending. CES Letter (print): https://cesletter.org/CES Letter (audio): https://archive.org/details/CESletterNote: We are not experts--we are just humans with real-life experience.

TW: Mentions of homophobia, transphobia, self-harm, and suicideBeing queer and Mormon is a TRIP! Things that leaders of the Mormon church have said about being gay are absolutely horrendous and beyond damaging...and we're about to talk about it! Sources: 1. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/official-statement/same-gender-attraction#:~:text=Feelings%20of%20same%2Dsex%20attraction,but%20acting%20on%20it%20is.2. https://lattergaystories.org/record/3. https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2019/05/25/barron-policy-change-article/

Last week's episode was HEAVY, so we're here to bring you some more lighthearted, hilarious content as we talk about a bunch of random, super cringey things we experienced as youth in the Mormon church. More to come ;) Be on the lookout for PART TWO. We referenced a song in the episode, but couldn't remember who it was by. It's Everclean/Sons of Provo...here's a link to the song for your listening pleasure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0-WQ5W8NW8

TW: Mentions of suicide -- we give a trigger warning for potential mentions of self harm and eating disorders in the recording as well, but those topics did not come up. Devyn, OUR FIRST GUEST EVER, shares her experience converting to Mormonism during her young adulthood just to be immediately blindsided by things that are kept "hush-hush" in the church. 

There's a whole long list of words that are exclusive to/have exclusive meanings in the Mormon Church! We're here to make sense of it all! Stay tuned for part two!! When we say there are a LOT of words, we mean A LOT!!

A continuation of last week's episode, we continue to explain the ins-and-outs of Mormon terminology. We're still blown away at how long this took us to record! And I'm sure we'll think of other random words as we keep creating content for our lovely listeners!

**You'll notice a jump from Ep. 7 to Ep. 11. - that is intentional with respect to the guest who recorded with us for Ep. 8, 9, & 10.**TW: Discussion of transphobia & homophobia. The church recently made a policy change around transgender people and their involvement in the church. We're here to fill you in and rage about it. 

TW - Mentions of racism and suicideOur special guest Daryl shares his story of traveling hours with his family to participate in the church in rural Australia as a child. After raising children in the church, his move to the USA, and marriage to a Never-Mo, started his questioning & eventual exit from the church. 

TW: As many of you know, General Conference is pretty jam-packed with content that can be quite triggering in various ways. Please take care to only listen if you're in a good headspace and allow yourself time to process if needed. We're here for you. 1/2 - We did some digging through the talks given at the church's Semi-Annual General Conference last weekend...there's a lot to discuss. SOURCESYouTube: @churchofjesuschristgeneralconf - October 2024 General ConferenceInstagram: @nemothemormon

TW: As many of you know, General Conference is pretty jam-packed with content that can be quite triggering in various ways. Please take care to only listen if you're in a good headspace and allow yourself time to process if needed. We're here for you. 2/2 - We did some digging through the talks given at the church's Semi-Annual General Conference the first weekend in October...the discussion continues.SOURCEYouTube: @churchofjesuschristgeneralconf - October 2024 General Conference

TW: Mentions of eating disorders & addictionSammi's BFF Lily joins us to share her story & give a little insight on the church's health code ✨The Word of Wisdom✨

Things got a little spooky on this week's episode as we discuss the origin of Halloween and how we experienced it as Mormons. SOURCESLibrary of Congress: https://www.history.com/news/halloween-samhain-celts-catholic-church https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2021/10/the-origins-of-halloween-traditions/#:~:text=Yet%2C%20the%20Halloween%20holiday%20has,costumes%20to%20ward%20off%20ghostsThe History ChannelGrace to You: https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A123/christians-and-halloween A study by Lifeway: https://news.lifeway.com/2015/10/26/lifeway-research-halloween-2015/#:~:text=Religious%20differences,'%20good.%E2%80%9D%20McConnell%20saidLDS Living: https://www.ldsliving.com/what-the-church-has-said-about-halloween/s/86783 Women Seeking Christ: https://womenseekingchrist.org/2021/10/31/do-latter-day-saints-celebrate-halloween/Quora: https://www.quora.com/How-do-Mormons-battle-evil-spirits-demons-and-bad-energyChurch Website: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/129?lang=eng#title_number1Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/15wu6qm/since_mormons_believe_in_demonic_possession_are/ 

TW: Mentions of sexual assault, pornography, depression, anxiety, and abuseKarina's sister Sarah shares her story of trying desperately to hold onto the church and the struggles she faced as she was eventually pushed out.  

TW: Mentions of sexual assault, pornography, depression, anxiety, and abuseKarina's sister Sarah shares her story of trying desperately to hold onto the church and the struggles she faced as she was eventually pushed out.

TW: Mentions of emotional abuse and cult behaviorOur special guest Em shares their story of growing up Catholic, exploring another church during college, and ultimately deciding that religion is just not for them. 

Kage shares their story of meeting the missionaries and feeling like she was living a double life as she explored Mormonism in their early 20s. 

Come along with us as we dive into the church's financial situation and unpack where that money is really going. Sources:https://thewidowsmite.org/2023update/https://universe.byu.edu/2023/12/13/light-the-world-encourages-people-to-spread-light-and-service-this-christmas-season/#:~:text=Light%20the%20World%20began%20as,Christ%2C%20according%20to%20Church%20Newsroom%20 

TW: Mentions of homophobia and transphobiaGender roles in the church are FELT!! Come along with us as we discuss the gender binary, gender roles, and homophobia that is ever present in the Mormon church. SOURCES: The Family: A Proclamation to the WorldLatter Gay Storieschurchofjesuschrist.org

TW: Mentions of homophobia, sexism, racism, abuse, and infidelityWe're back and better than ever after enjoying a wonderful holiday season with our loved ones. We're so excited for you to join us as we discuss all things marriage, dating, and divorce in this three part series (1/3).SOURCES:churchofjesuschrist.org For the Strength of Youth- 2001 versionYoung Women’s Personal Progress 2009Young Men’s Duty to God 2010Orson Pratt, The Seer Vol. 1.2, February 1853