Blonde Apologist

Being single in a family-focused church can feel complicated! In this episode, we dive into what it means to truly live, grow, and find joy in the season you're in. We talk about navigating cultural expectations, finding confidence in your path, and embracing singleness as a meaningful part of discipleship—not just a phase to get through.

Raising spiritually and mentally strong kids feels like a huge responsibility and the window to really shape them can feel so short. In this episode, I sit down with a good friend to talk about what actually stuck from our own childhoods. We also share listener submissions filled with simple and powerful parenting moments. Together we're learning from the past and doing our best to raise strong little humans with the Spirit in our homes.

Many Latter-day Saints feel unsure about how to approach the topic of Heavenly Mother. What's speculation? What's doctrine? And what does it mean for our faith? In this episode, I talk with the author of a widely shared article from Public Square Magazine to explore what we do know, address common misconceptions, and discuss how understanding our Heavenly Mother can deepen our relationship with both of our Heavenly Parents and Savior. https://publicsquaremag.org/faith/gospel-fare/heavenly-mother-faith-vs-speculation/

What does it really mean to be a witness of the resurrected Jesus Christ? In this episode, we walk through the scriptural accounts of those who saw the risen Savior and discuss how you and I can also come to “know” He lives, even without seeing Him with our eyes. If you've ever wondered whether spiritual experiences count as real evidence, or if you've longed for more confidence in your testimony of Christ, this episode is for you. Let's explore how we can recognize the Savior in our own lives and become modern-day witnesses of Him.

My husband's back on the podcast with me, and we're kicking things off by sharing our favorite moments from General Conference-what stood out, what made us think, and what we're still talking about. Then we dive into some of your questions, chatting about how we handle disagreements in marriage, thoughts on pornography, and how we (try to) make time for scripture study as busy parents.

New garment styles are rolling out worldwide—so what's changing, and why? In this episode, we're diving into why things change in the Church, how garments connect to modesty, and whether climate and weather matter when wearing them. Plus, hear my thoughts on the rise of garment-focused influencer accounts!

Divorce is not something most of us expect when we make sacred covenants in marriage, yet for some, it becomes a necessary part of their journey. In this episode, we discuss knowing when divorce is right, seeking God's guidance, and finding peace in life after. We also touch on navigating a family-centered church as a single member. Whether you're facing this yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and hope.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Word of Wisdom—what it is, what it isn't, and why it matters. We'll also tackle common misconceptions, like whether drinking coffee is inherently sinful or if the Word of Wisdom is just about physical health. More importantly, we'll focus on the deeper principle behind it: obedience to God's commandments, even when they don't always make sense by the world's standards.

When my guest's child first came out as queer—and later as transgender non-binary—it led her through a deeply personal journey of deconstructing and reconstructing her faith. She wrestled with questions, sought understanding, and ultimately found a way to stay connected to both God and the Church. As a devoted mother and faithful Latter-day Saint, she shares her experience of navigating this intersection of faith and family with love, courage, and trust in the Savior.https://www.liftandlove.org/

Choosing to convert to the Church is a deeply personal decision, but for many, it comes with significant challenges—especially when family doesn't support the choice. In this episode, I sit down with a dear friend who joined the Church at 18, despite her parents' strong opposition. She shares the struggles of standing firm in her faith while navigating family pushback over her baptism, attending BYU, serving a mission, and marrying in the temple. Her story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering trust in God. We also discuss how members can better support converts who face similar challenges. Tune in for an insightful and heartfelt conversation

In this episode, we dive into the missionary experience—sharing personal stories, common struggles, major adjustments, and the powerful ways we found the Lord through service. Whether you're preparing for a mission or simply curious about the journey, this episode is full of insights and encouragement. Send it to anyone considering a mission!

The world constantly tells us how we should look, what we should weigh, and whether we're enough. But what does God actually teach us about our bodies? In this episode, I sit down with Lexi Walbeck for an honest and powerful conversation about body image, confidence, and divine identity. Together, we explore the doctrine of being created in the image of our Heavenly Parents, the sacred truth that our bodies are temples, and the reality that mortality comes with physical pain and struggles. As we shared our personal experiences, the Spirit taught us so much about how to shift our perspective and keep working toward seeing ourselves the way God does. I can't wait for you to hear this conversation!

I asked for your Church-related questions, and you did not hold back! In this episode, we are touching on Church history, worthiness, spicy books, and even influencers using the Church to make money. Whether you're here for the cultural hot takes or to deepen your faith, there's something for you in this conversation.

In this episode, I explore Sheri Franke's book, The House of My Mother, where she shares her raw and heartbreaking experience growing up as the daughter of Ruby Franke—a YouTube star and an abusive mother. Sheri's story highlights how her mom used control and manipulation, often distorting simple LDS beliefs along the way. While most homes in our community are nothing like Ruby Franke's, the reality is that some are. In my opinion, rather than dismiss these situations as outliers, it's important to have conversations about them. By doing so, we can better understand how to prevent harmful teachings and foster healthy, Christ-centered homes and communities.

This week, my husband and I are talking about fence laws—those extra rules many LDS families use to keep their teens on the straight and narrow. We're sharing hilarious (and eye-opening) submissions from you about the boundaries you grew up with, reflecting on our own experiences, and wondering what we might do as parents (even though we've never had teenagers and have no clue what we're doing yet). Will our generation keep these fence laws alive? Let's figure it out together!

In this episode, we explore the powerful and sacred role of women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Inspired by President Russell M. Nelson's talk A Plea to My Sisters, my guest, Sarah Collins, and I have a meaningful conversation about the misconceptions surrounding women's roles in the Church and the divine call for women to stand up and speak out.

In this heartfelt Christmas episode, I sit down with artist Jenedy Paige to reflect on the Savior's birth and why His coming brings joy to the world. We read the story of Christ's birth from Luke and discuss how faith, scripture, prayer, and journaling can bring peace in life's hardest moments. Jenedy shares her deeply personal story of loss and healing after the passing of her three-year-old son, offering insights that moved me to tears. I hope this episode brings you the strength and spirit you need this season.

In this episode, we reflect on the deeply personal relationship each of us can have with the Savior. We'll share stories from listeners about the ways Christ has shown up in their lives, performing miracles big and small. It's all about seeing His hand in our everyday moments and recognizing that He's not just the Savior—He's your Savior.

Christmas is a busy time of year, often filled with endless to-do lists and the distractions of a heavily commercialized season. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Olivia Gochnor to explore how we can be more intentional this holiday season. We'll share meaningful traditions, practical tips, and ways to stay focused on what matters most, so we don't get overwhelmed and miss the mark when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with an incredible woman who grew up as an orphan in Mozambique and shares her powerful journey to embracing the gospel. She reflects on the cultural differences between church life in Africa and America. We also discuss the rapid growth of the Church in Africa, particularly the increase in temples, and how this expansion is impacting communities. Our guest shares her thoughts on race and the priesthood, offering a fresh perspective on these important topics within the gospel.

In this episode, we dive into the new Hollywood horror film Heretic, which features two sister missionaries—and surprisingly, we're not the punchline! We give a full summary of the movie, exploring how it portrays our beliefs and culture, highlighting what it got right and what might be a bit off. Plus, we discuss our responses to the arguments made against our faith throughout the film. Tune in for an insightful and engaging conversation!

I am joined by NFL player Bronson Kaufusi to discuss the law of tithing—how faithfully paying a tenth of our income can unlock the blessings of heaven, both in material and spiritual forms. Bronson offers unique insights into how to balance the pursuit of financial success while maintaining faith in God. Whether you're navigating your career, building wealth, or simply trying to stay true to your faith, this episode is a thoughtful reflection on how we can honor God with our resources and live a life that reflects His will.

In this episode, I sit down with my two younger sisters for a candid conversation about today's dating culture—especially within our LDS community. We share our own experiences navigating the ups and downs of dating and read your hilarious submitted stories that highlight just how unique (and sometimes challenging!) dating can be in our culture. From awkward first dates to some pretty memorable ‘spiritual compatibility' conversations, this episode dives into the quirks, joys, and occasional frustrations of dating in the Church.

In his General Conference address, President Nelson encouraged us to deepen our understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ every week, starting now, and for the rest of our lives. In today's episode, I share my thoughts on the enabling power of the Atonement of Christ. While we may feel more familiar with its redeeming power, the enabling power is just as vital in our journey toward salvation and exaltation.

Today we address the growing concern of anxiety and depression, which is affecting more individuals at an alarming rate. As prophesied, in these latter days, many are experiencing heightened fear and sorrow amidst life's challenges. I'm joined by my stake president, Dr. Mark Ogletree, as we explore how our church culture has shaped members' views on mental health. Together, we delve into the ways the gospel of Jesus Christ and professional help offer hope and healing for those grappling with these struggles.

In this episode, we dive into how God directs His perfect plan through imperfect prophets. Critics often point to shifts in prophetic direction as signs of inconsistency and falsehood. However, as believers, we see these changes as a testament to the essential role of prophets in an ever-changing world.

God is in relentless pursuit of you! No matter what you've done or how far you feel you've gone, He is always waiting with open arms for your return. In today's episode, Nia Lui, shares her experience of returning to Christ's embrace after stepping away for a period of time.

Between the transcendent and seemingly unbearable moments of motherhood, we are sustained through our faith. In this episode, my sister and I discuss our experiences with motherhood and how through Christ we find strength. We believe, as Sheri Dew taught, "Motherhood is more than bearing children. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Heavenly [Parents] gave us."

Did you know that having open family communication about sexuality with your children helps them to have a much healthier relationship with sex? Research shows these conversations will help delay their first sexual experience, lead to fewer partners, and increase their ability to discuss sex with a partner. Unfortunately this topic is often considered taboo and thus avoided in our church culture. In today's episode we talk about the beautiful parts of our sexual theology, how to better understand it for ourselves, and then how to discuss it with our children. I am joined by Tammy Hill, a licensed sex therapist and retired BYU professor.

It is fun and scary to find our faith at the center of pop culture! Hulu's new show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was full of drama, "secrets", and diet coke. I was fully entertained while watching but we have to discuss some of the claims made about our church throughout the season.

If you are on social media, you are no stranger to the many criticisms surrounding our faith. In today's episode, I interview Jasmin Rappleye, who often takes these criticisms head-on and publicly shares our beliefs. We discuss the ups and downs of sharing our faith online, how to stay rooted, and ways to navigate spiritual questions or concerns.

There are many reasons why a missionary might come home earlier than expected; but anyone who experiences this will share feelings of guilt, disappointment, and shame. In this episode, my friend shares her experience of coming home early due to mental health challenges. It is a beautiful example that God's hand can always be found, even in our darkest moments of despair.

I believe modesty to be an important principle from God. I also believe it has been misunderstood and misrepresented throughout history. In this episode we talk about what the church teaches about modesty, how we might teach this principle to our children, and share some wild experiences with modest culture in the church.

Get to know my husband and me as we share our experiences dating and getting engaged. We discuss how to get answers to prayers, the role agency plays in God's plan, and how to navigate trials.

If your first time going through the temple was less than ideal, you are in good company. In this episode, we talk about our first experiences, why we chose to keep going, and what the temple endowment means to us now. This is also a great episode for anyone preparing to go in the future!

Hannah Neelman is a Latter-day Saint, professional ballerina, mother Tradwife, and now has a new label: victim. But is she really a victim of our Mormon culture? You know I have so many thoughts so let's dive in!

I am so quick to encourage everyone to go on a mission. My mission meant everything to me and created such a foundation for my faith-filled life. But they aren't all sunshine and rainbows! In today's episodes, we will discuss some of the good and bad we experience on our missions as I read your submitted mission stories.

We all have strong opinions on this topic and today I am sharing mine! Let's chat about the culture and the doctrine surrounding the temple garments. In this episode, I will discuss the wild judgment culture, the relaxed culture, and why I love mine!

In this episode, I sit down with a recently released BYU Bishop as we discuss the honor code, the repentance process, and the role of a Bishop. Bishop Tingey shares what the brothern of the church want to see for the future generation, and I ask him about the credibility of some BYU folklore. Enjoy!

In this episode you will meet my friend Paige Moon and hear her experience getting pregnant before marriage, going through the repentance process, and ultimately making it to the temple with her family. As members we believe in the redeeming power of Jesus Christ and Paige's story is a beautiful example of that belief in practice.

Join me and my friend, Katelyn, as we chat about our experience as women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We discuss what womanhood means to us and how society and church have influenced that understanding.

Many cultural practices have been passed down from one generation to another within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Are they all doctrinally sound or just superstition? In this episode, my husband and I will discuss some of these practices, where they come from, and whether or not we will enforce them in our home. Wearing bikinis, watching rated-R movies, swimming on Sunday, etc. Are these cultural practices or commandments from God?

Welcome to Blonde Apologist, I am so glad you are here! Let's talk about what you can expect as a listener. This is a pro LDS podcast. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I absolutely love my faith. Through engaging discussions, we will take on the taboo and challenge the conventional, all while firmly rooted in our shared beliefs in the gospel of Christ.