Claim OwnershipInside Out with Jim Bennett and Ian Wilks
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© 2026 Inside Out with Jim Bennett and Ian Wilks
Description
The format of Inside Out is simple - Jim Bennett is still on the inside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Ian Wilks is on the outside of the Church. Yet both care about the Church and its future, and both want to see constructive dialogue between those who stay and those who leave. Hopefully, all of us can come to a better understanding of the Church and of each other.
148 Episodes
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Send us a text Ian and Jim are joined once again by historian and author Greg Prince to discuss the Church’s long-standing “us versus them” mindset — how it shaped missionary culture, theological certainty, and member identity, and how it continues to affect relationships with other faiths, former members, and the wider world.
Send us a text Richard Lyman Bushman, one of the most influential historians of Joseph Smith and early Mormonism, returns to Inside Out for a candid conversation about faith, doubt, and the complicated relationship between spiritual conviction and institutional history.
Send us a text In this New Year episode of Inside Out, Ian and Jim welcome back historian and scholar Greg Prince for a wide-ranging conversation centered on the recent passing of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and what his funeral revealed about the Church’s leadership transition and future direction.
Send us a text Ian and Jim welcome back renowned Mormon historian and author Greg Prince for a thoughtful, eye-opening conversation about one of the most debated elements of modern Mormon culture: the Word of Wisdom. Together, they examine how a revelation originally given “not by commandment or constraint” became a central loyalty marker for temple worthiness—and why the Church’s modern enforcement looks very different from the actual text of Doctrine & Covenants 89.
Send us a text What does it really mean to be a Christian - or a Mormon - today? Ian and Jim are once again joined by historian Greg Prince and author and former bishop Ganesh Cherian for an honest, unscripted conversation about faith, loyalty, identity, and the future of Mormonism.
Send us a text What happens when conscience collides with institution—and peace, not anger, is the result? Ian and Jim sit down with Karen Hyatt, a lifelong Latter-day Saint whose deep devotion to Christ led her to one of the most controversial conclusions in modern Mormon discourse: that Joseph Smith was not a polygamist—and that the historical record has been profoundly misrepresented. Karen shares her faith journey as a convert, missionary, wife, and researcher, culminating in her two-hour...
Send us a text Jim and Ian sit down with Pat Boisselle — an old friend of Ian's whose life in Mormonism was defined by devotion, service, and sincerity. For decades, Pat was the kind of Latter-day Saint who quietly strengthened his community: a devoted husband, a dedicated missionary, a compassionate servant, and someone known for going above and beyond without seeking recognition. But in recent years, Pat’s faith was shaken by troubling questions, institutional decisions, and personal...
Send us a text Ian and Jim welcome back a favorite guest: Nemo the Mormon, joining Inside Out from the UK for a deep-dive conversation about one of the most defining—and difficult—topics in Latter-day Saint culture: fallibility vs. infallibility in the Church. Using a homemade “Infallibility Meter” (complete with sound effects and a cardboard spinner), the three tackle several big topics at random—each framed around the question: What does the Church get right, and where does human fallibilit...
Send us a text Ian and Jim welcome back historian and author Greg Prince for a deep dive into one of the most sensitive and consequential themes in Greg’s “Roadmap for Improving Mormonism”: gerontocracy—a system of governance led by the very old—and how it shapes the culture, leadership, and future of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Send us a text In one of our most anticipated conversations to date, Inside Out welcomes the remarkable Sandra Tanner — writer, historian, researcher, and the great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young. For more than sixty years, Sandra and her late husband Jerald Tanner have been at the forefront of documenting and analyzing the origins, doctrines, and historical claims of the LDS Church. Their work has influenced generations of scholars, members, and truth-seekers across the faith spectrum....
Send us a text What happens when a faith community quietly backs away from a doctrine without ever really owning the fallout? In this episode, historian and author Greg Prince returns to talk about the long shadow of Mormon polygamy - not just in the 19th century, but in the lived experience of Latter-day Saints today.
Send us a text Ian and Jim sit down with Jordan Broadbent, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Head of Humanitarian Efforts for Europe. From his early faith journey in England to his transformative shift from the corporate world into humanitarian service, Jordan shares the experiences and convictions that led him to dedicate his life to helping others.
Send us a text What happens when a Latter-day Saint bishop begins to ask deeper questions about faith, purpose, and the nature of God? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Ian and Jim sit down with Stephen Hunter — former political lobbyist, bishop, and now Orthodox Christian — to explore his remarkable spiritual journey.
Send us a text What happens when faith, psychology, and the power of influence collide? In this extraordinary episode, Jim and Ian welcome Dr. Steven Hassan, one of the world’s foremost experts on cult dynamics, undue influence, and mind control. A former member of the Unification Church (“Moonies”) who has spent nearly fifty years helping people recover from coercive systems, Dr. Hassan brings deep insight and compassion to the conversation.
Send us a text In this post–General Conference discussion, Ian and Jim welcome back historian and author Greg Prince for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what just unfolded during the Church’s apostolic interregnum since President Nelson’s passing.
Send us a text Ian and Jim welcome back historian and author Greg Prince for a wide-ranging and timely conversation about the tragic attack on a Michigan Latter-day Saint congregation, the passing of President Russell M. Nelson, and the future of President Dallin H. Oaks. Together, they wrestle with questions of faith, politics, and identity, asking whether the church can rise to meet this moment of polarization with clarity and courage.
Send us a text Ian and Jim sit down with scholar and author Ganesh Cherian, whose new book Joseph Smith: The Architect of Mormonism offers a topical biography of Mormonism’s founding prophet.
Send us a text This episode discusses grief and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Ian and Jim sit down with Bruce Butcher—a longtime listener and friend of the podcast—for a conversation that goes straight to the heart. Bruce shares his faith journey, family background, and mission experiences, but most poignantly, he opens up about the devastating loss of his son Taylor, who took his own life.
Send us a text Greg Prince returns to Inside Out to continue exploring his roadmap for improving Mormonism. Together, Greg, Ian, and Jim tackle urgent issues facing the Church today—from toxic polarization and the need for prophetic voices to speak out, to women’s leadership, LGBTQ inclusion, and the long history of reactive rather than proactive change.
Send us a text Ian and Jim have a conversation about the horrific assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
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