Listen, Learn & Love Hosted By Richard Ostler

My friend Jeffrey Alldredge joins us to share his journey as a gay Latter-day Saint, Jeffrey, who grew up in Saint George Utah, came out to his parents at age 12. He served an mission and returned home and married his long-time girlfriend Cassandra. It is a beautiful love story. Jeffrey has been and continues to be completely open to Cassie about everything. Jeffrey has wonderful insights into life as a gay Latter-day Saint, the role of helpful family and Church leaders. He has great insights dealing with shame, painful comments, difficult situations, dark days, and the role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal and give hope. Thanks for having the courage to share your story on the podcast my friend Jeffrey. Our world and Church are better off with you here. Thanks for your goodness and your insights that will help others. You and Cassie (and your two sons) are a beautiful family.

My friend Davis Amis joins us to share his testimony and mission experiences from his service in Benin, West Africa. Davis also shares his decision to wait a year after High School graduation to serve a mission and why that was the right decision for him. Davis, who attends Westminster College where he is a member of the golf team, has great insights into the good people in Benin and Togo and the beautiful doctrine in our Restored Church. Thank you Davis for being on the podcast, your goodness, testimony and faithful service.

My friend Emma Mecham bravely shares her 5 year journey with depression. It all started with a voice at the conclusion of a church assignment that said ‘You know Emma, maybe you're not as good as you thought you were.” That voice, which is not how Heavenly Father feels about Emma, led to self-harm and deep depression. Emma takes about how she fought and is overcoming depression with the help of family, therapists, church leaders and friends. She also talks about how the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides her hope and healing. Thanks for being on the podcast Emma. You are a hero to all of us for your courageous work to manage and solve depression. You have a great life ahead of you!

My friend Cody Swensen shares his remarkable journey as a gay Latter-day Saint. Cody, who works in HR for a Utah County company, recently came out publicly on Facebook and IG receiving hundreds of loving and supportive comments. Cody talks about his two decade journey to come to terms with his sexual orientation. Many people have helped Cody along the way including a wonderful BYU therapists, family and friends. Cody talks about overcoming depression, self-loathing, shame, his excellent relationship with Heavenly Father, and why he stays a committed member of the Church. If you are LDS and LGBTQ and are looking for hope and healing, please listen to this podcast. If you want to better understand the journey of a LGBTQ Latter-day Saint, please listen to Cody’s story. Cody is one of my new heroes. This world is a better place with people like Cody in it. Thanks for being on the podcast Cody—I learned so much from you

My friend Brandon Kellogg (age 26, RM, married) joins us to talk about his parent’s divorce during his teenage years. Brandon talks about the pain of the divorce, anger, frustration and lost dreams. Brandon then talks about forgiveness, recovery and the wonderful relationship he has with both parents. If you are looking to overcome a grudge or broken relationship, Brandon’s podcast may be helpful. Thank you for being on the podcast Brandon. You are a great man and friend

Episode 265: Kevin Kloosterman, Active LDS, LGBTQ+ Ally by Richard Ostler

My friend Colby, age 29 and a soon-to-be Resident Physician in Neurology, shares his journey as a gay Latter-day Saint. Colby discusses coming to terms with his sexual orientation and his OCD and to separate these two aspects of his life. Colby, who served a mission in Calgary Canada, talks about his efforts to stay engaged in the Church, close with God, date men and his excellent family support. Colby attends his YSA Ward where he came out (and received great support) during a recent testimony on fast Sunday. Thank you for being on the podcast Colby. You are doing a great job navigating a complex road as a gay Latter-day Saint. Thanks for the courage to share your story and all the good you are doing in society. You have a great life ahead of you and will continue to help so many.

My friend Linnette, in the 50’s and mother of a teenage son, shares her journey. Linnette served a mission, then spent about 20 years outside of the church, including 8 years in same-sex committed relationship. Linnette shares her journey to return to the church—and the people who helped her including a wonderful sister and priesthood leaders. Linnette shares her love of the Temple, our Savior and serving others. You can read more of Linnette’s remarkable journey here bluedolphinlight.com. Thank you for being on the podcast Linnette. You are awesome. Thanks for the courage to share your remarkable story.

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

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.