Thoughtful and brave. I’ve enjoyed your discussions for the varied points of view. But I am especially impressed to hear both of you speak out against recent developments that threaten to shred the U S Constitution by a truly evil group of men lead by a convicted felon, a rapist, a wanna be dictator who worships North Korea and Russia. Your bravery is so needed. Thank you.

Great that you tackled the plural marriage Sunday school lessons. But I think you missed two important points. 1) It’s fine to congratulate the church for being more transparent. But transparency is not a goal unto itself. It’s a tool that society has developed to weed out unhealthy behaviors that would otherwise be hidden. An organization will always struggle with credibility if it “tries to be more transparent” while still obscuring behavior it knows will damage its reputation. 2) I think the most harmful thing about the lessons by far is the lesson that children are likely to learn from them: that when a leader asks you to do something intimate that makes you uncomfortable—you should disregard all intuition, fear, previous teaching and sense of right or wrong, trust the leader, and do the thing anyway. The consequences of teaching a child such a lesson could be horrific.

Listening to this podcast feels like a group therapy session. Having been raised with an all-or-nothing mentality, hearing Jim and Ian’s insights has helped me embrace the spectrum of LDS experiences. Their thoughtful discussions have allowed me to recognize the genuine good the church does bring to people’s lives worldwide, while also reframing many of its drawbacks in a respectful and nuanced way. This shift in perspective has completely dissolved my resentment toward the church and significantly improved my relationships with still-practicing loved ones. Conversations like these truly give me hope for our community — wherever we may find ourselves in our respective faith journeys.

Jim has a huge ego who cannot handle any pushback on his liberal logic. Loves anyone who has an ideology counter to the LdS church

Dec 6 episode was so painful, I could not listen!! Dec 13 episode- unfortunately you left out the part about the new introduction on BofM app has now quietly disappeared, after it quietly appeared!! The LDS Living magazine article on this has also disappeared!! I cringe at this kind of subterfuge!

Fantastic, open, candid, and vulnerable approach and partnership between the co-hosts makes for an honest and insightful conversation about things LDS and human related. This is a great model of how members and non-members, especially those who have chosen to leave, can relate to each other and should have conversations. Thank you!

Love this! Super interesting podcast. Hope they start doing this weekly

Great Podcast! But can we see the full transcript for the Nemo the Mormon episode.

I have binge listened to your show and I am so glad I finally have found someone who thinks! I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, like Jim, and I relate to his point of view in a lot of things. There may be some disagreement, but I know how to disagree nicely. The episode that touches me is the Trump one! Finally I do not feel like the Lone Ranger and see that someone else hasn’t drank the Trump kool aide. I can’t understand how members of the church are so fooled by this guy. He is pure evil. I too have thoughts about the Roe Vs Wade issue and have pretty much been shunned in my little rural Utah community because of my position. Honestly it doesn’t differ from the church stance other than I believe in giving a woman the right to choose what happens to her body. Many people think that is against what the church teaches, but I feel like that is EXACTLY what the church teaches. I am not going to judge someone for a decision that they have to make not knowing everything that they are suffering with. I am going to give them grace and love them and mourn with them and not push my religious beliefs on someone who doesn’t believe the same way I do. I would love to hear that discussion and point of view and maybe be involved in the discussion. Ha!

My new favorite podcast! Thank you from a fellow SEM missionary going through a Faith expansion! Thank you so much for the episode on suicide. It comes at a time I need it most. I don’t want to say more than that but thank you for helping me hold on. Your beautiful words also help me extend grace and empathy to those who see no other way to stop their suffering.

I love this podcast because I find myself in the same boat as Jim. I know that changes can happen within the lds church regardless of what anyone else has to say. The conversation between these two men really gives me hope. Ian is not disagreeable even though he's left the church, he doesn't do the lazy and extreme anti-morminism as someone like John Dehlin. And Jim doesn't parrot the talking points of the most ardent church supporter. It's a balance. I hope if you are lds and unsure of whether or not you fit in that you give this podcast a listen.

Ian and Jim are taking on the gargantuan task of trying to have discussions between both sides (inside and out) to build bridges rather than burn them. Being a guest on their show was a very dynamic experience which was unique from other podcasts I’ve been interviewed on. In my communications with Ian in preparation for each episode, I felt the immense amount of compassion, empathy and support that he feels for survivors of CSA. Being seen and heard by these good men was a healing experience for me. I have a lot of respect for them and highly recommend their work here.

I really like your podcast. I agree with you about Trump and have never voted for him. I left the Republican party years ago. However I think when you label people who turned down the Covid shot as Trumpers you are not correct. I know lots of people who are not Trumpers that turned down the shot. Also, please don't call us anti-vaxxers because that is not accurate either. Labeling is mostly about division and it is often inaccurate. Once again I love your podcast and agree with you much of the time. I left the church almost two years ago. I appreciate that you are still in and trying to make changes for the good.

Love the previous podcasts but the latest was too one sided for me. I could barely listen to it. Jim's hatred for Donald Trump was on full display. It's his show and his right, but it gave no wiggle room for an alternate view of his accusations against Trump. Ian did attempt a little Devil's advocate, but it was slight. As I listened, I personally disagreed with every one of the accusations, but that's just my view. I'm not saying I'm right or he's right, I just would hope Jim would say "this is how I see it, look at all points of view and make your own decision". False accusations are a terrible thing. That being said, if Trump's guilty of such things I say lock him up, just truth please. Jim can be set in his thoughts, as we all can, but I wish he would have encouraged those who listen and may be influenced to look at both sides of the issues since there are other views. He made it sound like no possible options were on the table. As tempting as it may be, I can't trust a one sided source anywhere. This particular podcast was very one sided to me.

I’m a little late to the game, but I asked myself this week “when is Jim going to have his own podcast?” And lucky for me I’ve got hours of good content to look forward to. I’ve been listening to the Unshaken podcast by Jared Halverson, and he talks about how in the scriptures and our own lives we go through the stages of creation, fall, atonement. When I fell down a rabbit hole and landed on the CES Letter and Brigham Young’s 1853 talks on race, I feel I entered the “fall” stage. Jim’s interview on Mormon Stories gave me hope that you can be faithful after doubts and that there are actual real answers to hard questions we’ll all eventually face. You can only hide under a rock for so long. I think it’s incredibly refreshing to find someone who’s views are almost identical to my own, especially regarding LGBTQ and fallibility. You’ve helped me realise I can still be a faithful member despite having gone through a “fall” stage. I particularly enjoyed part 1 and 2 of the October general conference discussion.

I’ve listened to each of the available podcasts and am interested by the views and insights expressed by Jim and Ian. Thanks.

I’ve only listened to a couple episodes of your podcast so far, but I’m impressed. When I had my “shelf breaking” moment after 28 years in the church, I was looking for a podcast or some sort of media where open, honest, and civil discussions were facilitated between members and exmembers. And I wasn’t able to find any. Both sides tend much more towards an us vs them mentality from my perspective. The closest I found to what I was looking for was your interview series on Mormon Stories. Finally, I was able to experience second hand the type of discussion that I craved but never felt like I could have as an active member. It felt incredibly validating for me. And with this new podcast you and Ian are filling that gap in both the active Mormon and exmormon communities and building bridges instead of throwing rocks at each other. Thanks for all you do. I’ll be copying this over to a review on the podcast.

Have listened to every episode so far and am enjoying the ride. Two former mission companions and friends. What happens when one leaves the church and the other doesn’t? Does the friendship end? Do the two sides judge and criticize each other? Thankfully no!!! The person still in the church listens as the one who left tells his story! Ian has a very interesting story and the two share their differing perspectives and actually listen to each other. My favorite parts are when Jim (still a believer) is critical of the church and Ian (who has left the church) gives genuine compliments about his time in the church. Thanks for bringing us on for the ride, may your journeys be long ones!!!

Great addition to the landscape of church-related podcasts. Such a practical approach.

I hate to say this but I agree with most of the views the individual Aserfvuu wrote so I won’t go that detail as he did. I am left scratching my head as to what happen to the Jim. I too first enjoyed listening to and was attracted to him from his book on the CES rebuttal and other appearances he has made and now to this. First off who’s picture is on the cover of his CES rebuttal book to the guy on this podcast? That to me just might say it all in a nut shell. A guy who is full of light to what appears to be a mug shot. It doesn’t even look like the same person. I don’t get it? I’m sure Jim thought it was funny and may be a joke. Maybe it’s what he is feeling right now. Worn out. But it doesn’t do anything for you. I have literally listen to all the podcast and trying to pull for you Jim . But I keep asking myself why am I doing this? Do I come away a better person, edified or up lifted? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Even on the podcast “what the church got right “ segment ended up veering off to being more negative. Then I just watched the YouTube video “Book of Mormon review conversation with Jacob Hansen and I was amazed how Jim let Jacob just get underneath his skin. No composure at all. It was painful to watch. It was like wailing and nashing of teeth. Very frustrating to watching a man titer totter on a topic of gay temple marriage, what the family looks like, etc. not wanting to “cross the boundaries”. Why so you won’t offend anyone? Take a stance for crying out loud. You weren’t afraid while writing the CES book. That’s what making me scratch my head.

I love this podcast! Ian and Jim have thoughtful, respectful dialogue about so many great topics. Their different backgrounds, service as missionaries together, and life experiences make each podcast so interesting. I love learning from each of them.

This is a great podcast. I’m excited to have it on the podcast scene. Both Jim & Ian are thoughtful and provide a respectful space for both the LDS believer and former believer.

I’ve enjoyed the podcast so far, appreciate the honest dialogue from both Jim and Ian. Wouldn’t mind the conversation to be longer I’ve enjoyed episodes so much. Can’t wait for Ian to tell his story to add context to who he is today, please don’t keep those episodes short when they are done. Appreciate the effort fellas.

I am thoroughly enjoying this podcast. Jim and Ian do a fantastic job identifying interesting and engaging topics. I like the way they each bring a unique and often complementary perspective to the discussions. This has quickly become one of my favorite weekly podcasts. Keep up the great work!

This podcast has been helpful to me as I sort through the mess of the church I thought I knew so well for 60 plus years but have recently learned new information and am very disappointed in. I Just listened to the newest one on not reading the comments and cannot believe the hate that people can give. I’m sorry, It’s ugly. Keep up the good work because I love hearing both of your perspectives and appreciate you both being so honest and vulnerable.

First off, I love Jim, but this is an honest review. I think Jim is hilarious and (mostly) brilliant. I particularly enjoyed his coverage of Under The Banner Of Heaven, and I believe his substantive response to the CES Letter remains one of the best pieces defending this true and living Church in the modern day. In that document, Jim shreds Jeremy’s sloppy, crowed-sourced arguments with the unbridled (and sometimes painful) truth. It is exactly because I enjoy Jim’s work so much that I’m writing this review. And it is my love of Jim especially for his faithful reply to the CES Letter that makes me dislike this podcast. I normally don’t leave reviews, but this podcast missed the mark enough for me to do so. I’m not writing this to get attention or insult Jim. To be perfectly frank, I'm taking the time because I honestly don't believe this podcast should exist. It’s not constructive or positive in the least bit, and I believe people (including the podcast creators) would be hard-pressed to find a single instance of genuine good this podcast brought to the world. The sad part is, what originally drew me to Jim’s work seems to have disappeared (and I really do mean my language there—it genuinely makes me sad). 2018’s Faithful Reply is Jim at his absolute best, seeing simplicity beyond complexity, cracking jokes with the occasional roast, sharing well-sourced truth, and bearing powerful testimony, particularly when speaking of his father or the spiritual witness he received that his wife was “the one”. In short, the Faithful Reply is just that—full of faith. Just five years later, however, Jim seems to have switched his commentary style. Sure, he’s still quick-witted and shares truth about Church history and policies, but the power is gone. I’m just making a personal observation, but I feel that Jim’s replies to his friend on the podcast are no longer full of faith. Jim would probably absolutely hate me using this analogy from Elder Holland, but I’d like to see more of Jim’s musket fire aimed away from the Church and towards those seeking to destroy it. After all, it is the Kingdom of God on Earth which shall “stand forever” (Daniel 2:44), and Jim (to keep the theme of this analogy) is a skilled sharpshooter—his experience and knowledge could be so much more constructive if he applied more of the faith he seemed to once have. That sounds brutal, but I really don’t mean it to be! Writing this review is difficult because I legitimately do like Jim, and there actually is a place for this sort of dialogue. Saints Unscripted, for instance, often hosts wonderful conversations with those of different faiths, tackles tough Gospel topics sometimes while disagreeing with the official or cultural narrative, but the show *works* because the hosts have what Jim used to, and what he seems to now lack: faith. Saints Unscripted seeks faithful answers, and Jim seems ready to tear down the Church at every possible opportunity. I honestly don’t understand why this is. Sure, there’s such thing as simplicity beyond complexity, but I think Jim sees too much simplicity sometimes. The fact is, there are some things we absolutely *know* to be true in regards to the Gospel. Some items aren’t up for debate. And that’s okay. I think Jim hating that I used an analogy from Elder Holland points to the larger problem: he seems to allow his personal politics, feelings about the LGBTQ+ community, etc. to cloud his witness and testimony of the Gospel. It honestly just makes me sad. And the explicit rating on the podcast? Youve got to be kidding me. Swearing is unbecoming of a follower of Jesus and could easily be avoided, especially on a hour-long podcast that comes out once a week. It’s these types of things that just make me put my head in my hands and ask, why? Just why? Is that necessary, or good, or productive? No, it’s not. His Facebook is the same way—why write posts and allow and encourage commenters to dig on the Church? It’s one thing to have a constructive dialog (which this and FB are not), it’s one thing to seek the Spirit’s guidance and question lovingly, but it’s quite another to have a spirit of apostasy, finding fault, and cynicism. When have any of those things ever led to anything lastingly true, productive, or meaningful? Never. And the thing is, I know Jim is actually a great guy. I served in the same mission as one of his sons. One of my companions actually briefly talked to Jim and unsurprisingly reported his kindness and humility. I love Jim and I know our Father in Heaven does, too. I just wish Jim better lived up to his potential. The Lord said, “And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. And again, verily I say unto you… chase darkness from among you…” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:23-25). You can listen to this podcast if you want, but you won’t find it edifying, full of light, or bringing you closer to our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. This podcast, unfortunately, more resembles the opposite. And that, along with how Jim has seemed to change, is really, really sad.

Love this format. The ability to be honest about some of the issues is so refreshing and ultimately much more humble and charitable then the typical orthodox member. Truth can stand the light of day so keep the conversations going. Some will find truth and joy in living the faith and others will find truth and joy outside the faith. This podcast makes a case and room for both.

I very much appreciate the thoughtful discussions I have heard on these first three episodes. Like Ian, I also chose to resign my membership (after 63 years of devoted membership) and like both Ian and Jim, I continue to appreciate the good the church brought to my life. Even though I don’t know either of you personally, I feel seen and understood in a way I haven’t felt from most of my family and friends. It was so validating in this most recent episode on what the church gets right, to hear Ian express how the church saved his life AND how he is happier now that he has resigned from the church. This has been my experience as well. Thank you.

We need so much more of this! Please keep the episodes coming. I’m a fan already! I’ve left the church but I have family who are still members. We need to be able to talk, even hard conversations, and remain loving and respectful. People before perspectives!!

Jim is fair and reasonable and I love the way he communicates. We need more people willing to engage in respectful dialog like these two guys. Bravo!

Another podcast that my mixed faith family can listen together. Thanks guys! Looking forward to more episodes.