The Faith Transition Podcast

In this episode, I have the committee of THRIVE DAY FOR WOMEN gathered to share their thoughts on the event which happened on April 2nd, 2022 at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah. We have Lisa Hacking, Lindy Johnson, Chelsea Homer, Rebekah Sardakowski, and Meg Griffes participating in the discussion today. I was privileged to be the MC at the event and enjoyed the vibrant energy of women gathered to heal, be uplifted, and leave with new friends and practical tools to navigate the complexities of a faith transition. Jeni Martin is not represented in this audio but she is also one of the masterminds behind this event. The THRIVE organization, movement, and events would not have happened without the financial support, time devotion, and vision of Jeni and Clint Martin. We are very grateful to both of them for leading this project. The event included many amazing keynote presenters listed below (Click on the name to learn more): Natasha Helfer, LMFT - Mental Health and Sex Therapist Donna Kelly - Attorney at law and Women's Rights Advocate Leah Young - Coach at Balanced Living with Leah Suzy Benson - Coach, Speaker, Facilitator certified the Brene Brown  Tiffany Roe - Clinical Mental Health Counselor Dana Parker - CEO, Inner World Movement An amazing group of workshop classes presenters: Exploring the Rainbow Colette Dalton - LCSW Therapist IG Polly Choque-Mendoza - IG Beyond the Word of Wisdom Stephanie Purcell - IG & Tik Tok @not_a_faith_crisis Faith Erickson - IG Bridging the Gap with Believing Families Jana Spangler - Coach at Symmetry Solutions Katie Mount - Host of Mariage on a Tight Rope Parenting - Leah Young

In this overdue episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with Dani Enkey. She shares her life journey starting as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, then she discovers through yoga, meditation, and her personal life experiences that her inner world is much more expansive than what she was taught to believe. She finds that she doesn't need an external medium to get in touch with her core self and the divine, and she now chooses to move through life from that inner standpoint.  Dani has a fun and endearing personality, she has a gift for sharing and connecting particularly with women who may struggle to stay in touch with their core self while in the midst of parenting duties, etc. I hope you enjoy this authentic conversation as much as I did! You can get in touch with Dani Enkey and find more info about her  and her talented husband & artist Phillip Enkey here: A Day With Dani Facebook Phillip Enkey on Spotify Stars Talent Studio THRIVE DAY FOR WOMEN REGISTER HERE!!! APRIL 2, 2022 - OREM, UTAH

In this Part 2 episode with Celeste Carolin, executive director for Mama Dragons, we learn more about who are the Mama Dragons and what are the organization's goals. We learn about the nearly 10 thousand Mama Dragons from all over the world, with diverse backgrounds and faith traditions. Celeste also tells us about The Parachute program which was developed this year to empower parents of LGBTQ children as they navigate into new parenting territory so they can better understand their children, be more affirming, celebrate them, and also become resources for those around them. The Parachute program is not just for parents of LGBTQ children - It is for anyone wanting to increase their knowledge and be supportive of LGBTQ children. Please share your comments and questions.  For more info =>Mama Dragons and The Parachute Program

In this conversation, we learn more about Celeste Carolin - Executive Director for Mama Dragons.  Celeste Carolin comes from a business and leadership background with a wide range of senior business roles. She attended Harvard Extension School from 2009 - 2013 studying for a Master’s in Business and is currently working on a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from NCU. As a queer (lesbian) cisgender woman, Celeste has worked with LGBTQ youth and non-profits for the past 10 years. She served on the Mama Dragons Leadership team in 2016, Mama Dragons Board of Directors from 2016 to 2018. Celeste has a knack for start-ups, leadership, and launching organizations needing growth. Both Celeste and her partner come from non-accepting religious roots, LDS and Evangelical Christianity. This fuels Celeste's passion for understanding and serving the intersectionality of faith and parenting LGBTQ children.   For more info about Mama Dragons advocacy for LGBTQ+ Youths and to Learn more about the Parachute E-Learning Program for Parents of LGBTQ+ Youths - Click Here -

In this episode, I have a great conversation with Drew Hansen and Amanda Suarez who created the platform and movement Upflift Kids, which helps parents teach timeless values and give their children a strong spiritual foundation. Amanda has spent 20 years experiencing our education system from every angle. In addition to completing an B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in School Psychology, Amanda has volunteered in many capacities inside schools - She’s convinced that what kids need most are relationships filled with presence and love, where they can safely learn - She believes kids are capable of being with whatever life brings, both the beauty and the pain - she is on a mission to help children, including her own four kids, stay connected to their inner aliveness so that they can show up in the world as the most honest, undiluted version of themselves. Drew was initially drawn to business for its potential to positively impact the world. In his career, he built and sold three companies, consulted several in the Fortune 50, and published over a hundred articles in Forbes on topics such as creativity, innovation, strategy, leadership, team building, and economic system change. But despite the success, these experiences caused him to question whether business is indeed a force for good. Uplift represents the change he wishes to see in the world. He believes in the power of people to harness their collective wisdom to manifest a more sacred economy today, not tomorrow. You can find out more about Uplift Kids and connect with Drew Hansen and Amanda Suarez here: https://upliftkids.org/ info@upliftkids.org Instagram (@upliftkids) Facebook

In this episode, I have a candid conversation with Advanced Relationship Coach Bryce Bauer, husband of Jenny Morrow who I had on the previous podcast episode. This episode is mostly geared toward single men, coach Bryce will tell us more about how single men looking to have a more meaningful relationship can start - if they feel a bit lost - how they can meet the right person, and how to do the work on themselves.  Coach Bryce self-development first began when he was admitted into a drug rehab facility, 13 years ago.  He had destroyed every relationship in his life and finally realized that he was the one who needed to change.  This experience opened up new doors for him and he spent 6 years working as a wilderness therapy guide and residential counselor. Although things looked good on the outside, he still struggled with intimate relationships.  He was mostly emotionally unavailable, naïve, avoidant, and quick to blame. After another bad breakup, he decided to move to Hawaii and start over.  That trip turned into a 2-year adventure as he traveled around the world.  When he returned to the US, he was extremely motivated to find a partner and create a long-lasting and loving relationship. He then met Jenny Morrow, they have been married a few years - she introduced him to The Relationship School and so his relationship coach journey began. Today, Bryce does private coaching as well as group coaching for men who want to develop an advanced relationship with their partner. To find out more about Bryce Bauer: The Relationship School Bryce Bauer - Men's Group Community - Facebook

In this episode, I have a very open and vulnerable conversation with Advanced Relationship therapist Jenny Morrow who has a decade and a half of experience working with thousands of couples and individuals. She helps her clients have more fulfilling and enduring advanced relationships. Jenny Morrow is a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who, among millions of others, has found that she could better thrive as herself without prescribed ways to be and believe. She is a successful Advanced Relationship therapist who lives what she preaches. Bryce Bauer, Jenny's husband, shares her values and is a business partner in coaching Advanced Relationship as well. In this episode, Jenny digs deeper into my relationship issues as a 3-year divorced, back on the dating scene, single working mother with the hope to find a partner who shares the same values.  Jenny shows me how to embrace my anxious attachment romantic relationship style (which is a struggle for me), how to be clear on what I want and need in order to be secure in presenting these personal values to potential future partners. Jenny also explains what an advanced relationship looks like and how we can work on achieving this goal. I hope you are able to pick up some of the great gems for yourself in this conversation. I also hope that you will explore all the valuable material The Advanced Relationship Academy website offers to anyone interested. If you enjoy this episode or any previous episodes, let me know by leaving a review on iTunes, Spotify, etc., and by sharing with people around you who can benefit from these heartfelt conversations. To get in touch and find out more about Jenny Morrow, Bryce Bauer, and their work: Advanced Relationship Academy Advanced Relationship Podcast Jenny Morrow Facebook Page Bryce Bauer - Coaching for Men and Men's support group

In this episode, I have an intriguing conversation with Shelise Ann Sola - Actress, Model, ex-Mormon, Instagram influencer, and soon to be a published author who reveres medicinal plants. We talk about her experiences with parallel worlds, Shelise helps us understand her experiences when she let the plants show her what more she could access. Encounter with Aliens, answers to life's questions,... Keep listening it does get weird and super interesting. I absolutely loved having this open discussion where no topics were off the table. I hope you enjoy this discussion!  To learn more about Shelise Ann Sola:  Website: https://www.sheliseannsola.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sheliseann?igshid=n5r758nyaeq9  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelise13

In this episode of The Faith Transition Podcast, I have an open and honest conversation with Mother, Wife, Singer, Actor, Speaker, Performer Andrea Forsythe, a native of Utah who now lives in Colorado with her family. I discovered Andrea Forsythe on social media, I was intrigued because she is an active member of the LDS Church who also advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. I wanted to know how she manages to remain in the Church while at the same time recognizing the immense hurt that the same church has caused to many people and families... 

In this episode, I have a candid conversation with Kimilyn Poulson. Kimilyn shares with us her experience being adopted and raised by caucasian, devoted Mormon parents in Utah. She shares her struggles carving her identity in the midst of people who did not look like her. She strived to conform which took a toll on her mental health. She shares her LDS mission experience in the South, where she found herself a minority, as a Mormon. Kimilyn shares her faith transition story and the issues she had put on a shelf growing up in a strict Mormon family. She shares her discoveries of overt racism from LDS leaders' writings, reading the CES letter, and deciding to come out to the world on Facebook when she chose to depart from the LDS Church to find her authentic self. Today she enjoys her new found freedom and being an advocate for the LGBTQ community.

This overdue follow up episode with Spencer Nugent is a gem, we go deeper into his experience living as a double minority - a black man and non-Mormon man in a small town in Utah. Spencer tells us how he navigates through it all, how he coped with the events and racial tensions of the past few months and what he hopes to see in the future. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did speaking with Spencer Nugent.    Where can you connect with Spencer Nugent:   For a full account of Spencer Nugent Growing up in the Mormon Church and Faith Transition Story go to: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/spencer-nugent-a-jamaican-mormon-story/ Spencer Nugent's website: https://advdes.org/spencer-nugent Follow Spencer on Social Media: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/spencer.nugentYoutube Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sketchadaydotcom/ Youtube - Sketch A Day https://www.youtube.com/user/sketchadaydotcom

In this episode and the one that will follow, I have a real talk conversation with extremely talented Industrial Designer Spencer Nugent. We talk about his career as a Black Industrial Designer. Spencer sees himself, above all, as a Creative and an Instructor who enjoys sharing his skills and process with tens of thousands of avid designers ready to learn. His online platforms have drawn over a hundred thousand followers from all over the world.  In the following episodes, Spencer opens up and shares very personal experiences to help the listeners understand what he had to overcome in order to fully embrace his Blackness after leaving a Church that believes that God favors the "White, Fair and Delightsome"  in its theology - (see Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 5:21). He shares with us how he overcame this belief he had internalized since he was a child.  Spencer was born and raised in Jamaica and moved to the US as a teen. He currently lives in a community in Utah where he is a double minority being black and non-Mormon. His two young boys are his pride and joy. Spencer also appreciates having close family members living nearby. I hope that this raw, open, and honest discussion will give new perspectives to the many who may not understand such a unique life experience. I also hope that many hearts and minds will be open to new perspectives when it comes to the lived experience of a Black man in America.  For a full account of Spencer Nugent Growing up in the Mormon Church and Faith Transition Story go to: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/spencer-nugent-a-jamaican-mormon-story/ Spencer Nugent's website: https://advdes.org/spencer-nugent Follow Spencer on Social Media: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/spencer.nugentYoutube Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sketchadaydotcom/ Youtube - Sketch A Day https://www.youtube.com/user/sketchadaydotcom

In this episode, Tammy Haws comes back for the 2nd time on The Faith Transition Podcast. She shares her journey of becoming a Super Athlete.   Tammy has under her belt: 20 Full Marathons including 5 Boston Marathons; 33 Half-Marathons; 3 Ultra-Marathons; 1 Half-Ironman and 3 Full Ironman.   Tammy shares how she "fell" into the Marathon and Ironman world without all the fancy types of equipment and training available today. She explains how anyone with the will and discipline to accomplish fitness goals can succeed. I am a firm believer in constant work to maintain our mental and physical well-being.   I hope you enjoy this episode!   Tammy's first interview - Episode 7 iTunes - The Faith Transition Podcast - Episode7 Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YGB1tZl1Yre4FbT4Oy9HZ?si=Z1z2vdzxR92R93WOUqk7ZQ You can Follow Tammy on Instagram: @absthatrock

In this episode of The Faith Transition Podcast I continue the insightful conversation with Dr. Scott D. Miller that we started in the previous episode. We discuss his journey as a psychotherapist, his thoughts on the Coronavirus pandemic, George Floyd's death as well as society flight from death and more. Dr. Scott D. Miller is the founder of the International Center for Clinical Excellence, an international consortium of clinicians, researchers, and educators dedicated to promoting excellence in behavioral health services. Dr. Miller conducts workshops and training in the United States and abroad, helping hundreds of agencies and organizations, both public and private, to achieve superior results. Dr. Miller is the author of numerous psychotherapy books and articles. You can find them all on his website along with lots of resourceful information. Dr. Scott D. Miller website - http://www.scottdmiller.com/ Dr. Scott D. Miller Mormon Stories Podcast Interview - https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/scott-miller/ Dr. Scott D. Miller Mormon Stories on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjOTbm76upM The Book of A Mormon - Panel discussion on Mormon Stories - https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/scott-miller-book-of-a-mormon/ Purchase The Book of A Mormon here: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Mormon-Strange-Times-Missionary-ebook/dp/B013WZRDZO

In this episode of The Faith Transition Podcast I have a very insightful discussion with Dr. Scott D. Miller. Dr. Miller is the founder of the International Center for Clinical Excellence, an international consortium of clinicians, researchers, and educators dedicated to promoting excellence in behavioral health services. Dr. Miller conducts workshops and training in the United States and abroad, helping hundreds of agencies and organizations, both public and private, to achieve superior results. Dr. Miller is the author of numerous psychotherapy books and articles  - you can find them all on his website along with lots of resourceful information. In this episode, we discuss a different type of book he wrote, his LDS Mission memoir titled The Book of A Mormon: The Real Life and Strange Times of an LDS Missionary. In his memoir, hDr. Miller recounts his missionary experience as a 19 year old serving for the Latter-day saints Church. He lost his faith early on while serving in Sweden but decided to make the sacrifice to painfully finish his mission under a controlling mission president with unrealistic expectations to preserve his parents from the shame and judgment they would receive if he went home early. What I appreciate most about Dr Miller is that he does not deny and has great respect for his Mormon pioneer ancestry, he does not deny the good he beneficiated from growing up in the church, he refuses to be called an ex-Mormon because he fully embraces his Mormon roots but as a scientist through and through he saw at a very young age that there were beliefs in Mormonism that did not make sense and it got worse as he studied the religion more in depth. We also talk about what led him to become a psychotherapist and much more. I hope you enjoy this discussion as much as I did! Dr. Scott D. Miller website Dr. Scott D. Miller Mormon Stories Podcast Interview Dr. Scott D. Miller Mormon Stories on Youtube The Book of A Mormon - Panel discussion on Mormon Stories  Purchase The Book of A Mormon here: The Book of A Mormon: The Real Life and Strange Times of an LDS Missionary

In this episode, I have an open conversation with three former Temple Square Sisters who left the LDS Church: Kelly Price Nance, Lesa Sears and Monica Valentino O'Brien. They all served on Temple Square a couple of years before I did and left the Church recently. In this episode, they share their faith transition, some experiences serving in the Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission, and where they stand today after leaving the LDS faith. This is the first of several podcasts I will have with former missionaries. I hope you enjoy this fun and heartfelt conversation as much as I did!  Follow The Faith Transition Podcast: Website: https://thefaithtransitionpodcast.com Youtube: The Faith Transition Podcast Instagram: @thefaithtransitionpod facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julienna.viegashaws

In this episode of The Faith Transition Podcast, I have a very enlightening conversation with Dr. Cyndi Matthews. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) working with individuals, couples, and families. Dr. Cyndi Matthews graduated with a Ph.D. and Masters in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has over 20 years of clinical experience.  She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Adlerian therapy. She is a person-centered therapist who focuses on the values of empathy, genuineness, and non-judgment. She is also a Supervisor helping LPC-interns working towards their license. Her private practice specializes in Religious Abuse & Cult Recovery, Depression/Anxiety/Stress, LGBTQ+ Issues/Gender Identity, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sexual, Emotional, & and Physical Abuse, Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Sex Therapy, Premarital Counseling, Communication Skills, Crisis Management, and Relationship Effectiveness. Along with CBT and Aldertian therapy, she is also trained in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Couples' Gottman and Couples Imago therapy, Sandtray therapy, and Psychodrama.  In this episode, we have an open and honest conversation about her upbringing in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, why she left a decade ago, what motivated her to focus her research on spiritual abuse and survivors of cults and the challenges they face as they leave the cult environment.  Along with others, Dr. Cyndi Matthews is carving a path for therapists to better serve survivors of spiritual abuse as well as informing clergy members, through dialogue, about the reality and damages of spiritual abuse. Dr. Cyndi Matthews expands on the 4 main characteristics of Spiritual Abuse: 1. Abuse of power 2. Conditionality - Everything is conditional in a cult environment 3. Suppression of Expression - Denial of questions, wants and needs 4. Spiritual Injury causing self-doubt For more info about Dr Cyndi Matthews and her work: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dr-cyndi-matthews-garland-tx/276028 https://www.smu.edu/Simmons/About-Us/Directory/Counseling/Matthews https://www.spiritualabuseresources.com/articles/counseling-individuals-through-a-crisis-of-faith-dr-cyndi-matthews-lpc https://ct.counseling.org/2018/07/in-search-of-an-affirming-faith/

In this episode, I have my friend Dusty Rhoads back on The Faith Transition Podcast. You can listen to his faith transition story in Episode 5. Today we delve a little deeper into his painful divorce, how he felt judged and abandoned by those who should have been there to support him during this painful transition. We talk about the difficulty of rebuilding a life after divorce as well as the importance of honoring our truths. I hope you enjoy this episode and I hope you will share with those you think could benefit from hearing this life transition journey because no one should feel alone in their faith/life transition journey. Follow The Faith Transition Podcast: Website: https://thefaithtransitionpodcast.com Youtube: The Faith Transition Podcast Instagram: @thefaithtransitionpod facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julienna.viegashaws Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefaithtransitionpodcast/message

In this episode of The Faith Transition Podcast I have an uncut heartfelt conversation with Gail Nicolaysen-Shurtleff. She is an accomplished therapist from California who now lives in The Netherlands and practices therapy remotely. Gail got her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology at John F. Kennedy University. Together we discuss her journey as a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints and the reasons why she left despite her Mormon pioneer heritage and acquaintance with apostles and prophets from earlier years. We discuss her experience living in the margins as she was never fully accepted in the different LDS circles where she was because of her disabilities but how she found full acceptance in other circles. We discuss the loss of her husband John to suicide and how she coped and processed his death. We talk about death, grief and some helpful ways to be there for those we know going through these challenges. I hope you enjoy this episode. Places where you can learn more about Gail Nicolaysen-Shurtleff and connect:  Website: Beyond Grief and Loss Therapy https://beyondgriefandlosstherapy.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beyond-Grief-and-Loss-Therapy-107954157241384/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondgriefandlosstherapy/ Follow The Faith Transition Podcast: Website: https://thefaithtransitionpodcast.com Youtube: The Faith Transition Podcast Instagram: @thefaithtransitionpod facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julienna.viegashaws Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefaithtransitionpodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thefaithtransitionpodcast/support

In this episode Tammy shares her two major relationship stories: First a marriage which happened a mere 6 months after meeting as college students, a divorce, then a new relationship with a serial cheater. Tammy bravely decided to share her story with the hope that some who may be in similar situations could know that they are not alone showing that it is possible to break from the cycle of abusive relationships. Tammy helps the listener understand how a mentally stable person manages to get trapped into an abusive relationship. I hope that you enjoy this discussion and share it with anyone who could benefit from it.