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Hosted by Joanna Brooks
12 episodes with Joanna Brooks
32 episodes with Joanna Brooks
2 episodes with Joanna Brooks
2 episodes with Joanna Brooks
2 episodes with Joanna Brooks
2 episodes with Joanna Brooks
2 episodes with Joanna Brooks
2 episodes with Joanna Brooks
Joanna Brooks's ancestors were among the early waves of emigrants to leave England for North America. Her book Why We Left: Untold Stories and Songs of America's First Immigrants reveals the violence and dislocation that propelled seventeenth- and eighteenth-century working-class English emigration, and follows American folk ballads back across the Atlantic to find histories of economic displacement, environmental destruction, and social betrayal at the heart of the early Anglo-American migrant experience. A tenth-anniversary edition of the book has just been released, which includes a new preface and develops a haunting historical perspective on the ancestors we thought we knew. Here, Brooks is joined by Desmond Hassing in conversation.Joanna Brooks is an award-winning scholar and writer whose work tends to catastrophes of human belonging in American history. The author or editor of ten books on race, religion, colonialism, and social movements, her writing has been featured in the BBC, NPR, the Daily Show, CNN, MSNBC, and the Washington Post.An enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a San Diego native, Dr. Desmond Hassing is a conceptual artist, scholar, and activist who focuses on educating Western subjects on the intentionally disremembered subject of the Indigenous Peoples of North America. Hassing is founder of the Indigenous Peoples Reading Room, a planned open-access scholarship archive, and creator of The National Indian Project, an annotated bibliography of Native American, First Nations, and Pacific Islander representations in DC/National comic books of the same period. Hassing is lecturer in the Department of American Indian Studies at San Diego State University.Why We Left: Untold Stories and Songs of America's First Immigrants is available from University of Minnesota Press.“A surprising, bold, and altogether brilliant contribution to our understanding of why people crossed the Atlantic to live in a strange new world.”—Marcus Rediker
This week, Joanna Brooks, the founder of Embody Yoga joins the podcast to talk about her journey as a small business owner running the highly successful yoga studio, Embody Yoga. Embody Yoga is on a mission to share the practice of yoga with people of color and is a leader in the health and wellness space in the city of Milwaukee. Friend of the podcast and avid yoga enthusiest, Jessica Butler joins the conversation as well and gives an update on what Heal The Hood has coming up this summer.
The third in a three-part miniseries where Bryan and Lindsay discuss the development of race in Mormon theology through a historical lens. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone Summer Symposium Charisma Under Pressure: Joseph Smith, American Prophet, 1831–1839 (Dan Vogel). "The Chosen Seed: Reexamining Mormon Conceptions of Race and Lineage Forty Years after Official Declaration 2”—Sunstone presentation (Stirling Adams, Matt Harris and Newell Bringhurst). “Mormonism's Negro Doctrine: An Historical Overview”—Dialogue (Lester Bush). Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and the Problem of Racial Innocence (Joanna Brooks). Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons—DVD (Margaret Young and Darius Gray)
Psychology professors discuss the mental health challenges faced by faculty in higher ed. A panel of PhD-holding psychologists discusses responses to the mental health challenges faced by faculty in higher ed, especially in these latter days of the COVID-19 pandemic. With SDSU professors Dr. Lisa Kath, Dr. Allison Vaughn, and Dr. Feion Villodas. Hosted by Dr. D.J. Hopkins. San Diego State University's guidance for “Faculty Well-Being”: https://fa.sdsu.edu/resources/work_life San Diego State University's Women of Color Empowerment Group: https://fa.sdsu.edu/woc Special thanks to Dr. Joanna Brooks, SDSU Associate Vice-President for Faculty Advancement and Student Achievement and founder of the Faculty Futures Lab podcast. Bios Dr. Lisa Kath is an associate professor of industrial-organizational psychology at San Diego State University, specializing in occupational health psychology. Visit https://lisakath.com/. Dr. Allison Vaughn is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University and the Associate Director for the SDSU Center for Teaching and Learning. https://psychology.sdsu.edu/people/allison-vaughn/ Dr. Feion Villodas is a Clinical Psychologist, a Faculty member in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University, and SDSU's Executive Director of Graduate Life and Diversity. https://sacd.sdsu.edu/gradlife/team Dr. D.J. Hopkins is a professor at San Diego State University. He specializes in Shakespeare in performance. His current research includes immersive theatre and virtual reality. @_DJHopkins https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins
The latest pandemic pivot just feels different. University faculty facing the omicron wave share fears, hopes, research-driven recommendations, and a few laughs. With Drs. Lacie Barber, Joanna Brooks, Michael Borgstrom, and Paula Peter. Hosted by Dr. D.J. Hopkins. Links to resources for faculty in higher ed: Tools and strategies are available at key SDSU websites: The Center for Teaching and Learning (ctl.sdsu.edu), the Center for Inclusive Excellence (cie.sdsu.edu), and Instructional Technology Services (its.sdsu.edu). Additional resources are available at the CTL Canvas site. From ITS: The Flexible Course Design Toolkit offers 18 modules to assist faculty with online, hybrid, and blended teaching skills and knowledge. Topics include fostering social presence within the online modality, promoting student engagement with in-video quizzing, collaborating with Google Workspace, utilizing an array of Canvas features, and other related tools and topics. The Flexible Course Design Institute (Flex-CDI) offers the toolkit content, which is available as a resource that you can move through at your own pace. To preview the content of the Canvas course, please use the toolkit course link. To add this course to your Canvas account, please use the toolkit enroll link here: https://sdsu.instructure.com/enroll/WM98NC Bios Dr. Lacie Barber https://psychology.sdsu.edu/people/larissa-barber/ Dr. Michael Borgstrom https://literature.sdsu.edu/people/borgstrom Dr. Joanna Brooks https://literature.sdsu.edu/people/brooks Dr. Paula Peter https://business.sdsu.edu/about/directory/ppeter Dr. D.J. Hopkins https://ttf.sdsu.edu/faculty/theatre_faculty_profiles/d.j-hopkins
Contact Guest Speaker Information: https://www.embodyyogamke.com/?fbclid=IwAR1SQjIAeW8M6eVwmY3JiYb3agmRMurcmfOw-kP5Wc4yKzbmOXw_B6BAg1gTTune in, Listen, and Share! Our mission still remains the same BUT on steroids for season 4. Buckle up, pour up, and plugin every Wednesday for the necessary conversations on Life After Abuse! PLEDGE to #nomoremeangirls at www.exposedthepodcast.com Don't forget that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, however, domestic violence is 365 days a year. To support our local DV initiatives, you can donate at www.exposedthepodcast.com Our most recent article: https://www.mkelifestyle.com/mkepeople/out-of-the-shadows/article_11cfa7a0-1bd7-11ec-a9bc-17f84bb3cf01.html Share with family, friends, Co-Workers, young adults, and ALL social groups!! Follow ExPOSED The Podcast, the #2 Black Milwaukee Podcaster!!! https://onmilwa//www.facebook.com/pg/laverneandnatalie/about/?ref=page_internal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSrsxfdCEqy-oSAQr3emsGA?view_as=subscriber Website: www.exposedthepodcast.comukee.com/ent/articles/10-podcasts-people-of-color.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laverneandnatalie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/laverneandnatalie/about/?ref=page_internal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSrsxfdCEqy-oSAQr3emsGA?view_as=subscriber Website: www.exposedthepodcast.com
Join Tiffany and Allyson for this week's episode as they talk about a man who set up a homeless shelter on his front lawn, "the least of these" among us, a fabulous berry pie recipe, and as always, they will share spotlight of an inspiring SISTER. News: Utah man invites homeless to set up camp on is front lawn Main Topic: Resources to learn more about the perspectives of the marginalized in our church and the world in general: LGBTQ community: Listen, Learn and Love podcast Questions from the Closet podcast BYU Devotional by Eric Huntsman Women: Neylan McBaine’s book “Women at Church” "Mormon Feminism: Essential Writings" by Joanna Brooks and Rachel Hunt Steenblik Sarah Bessey's "Jesus Feminist" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's "A House Full of Females" Dr. Julie Hanks IG account Single Women: Rosie Card's IG account People of Color: Exhaustive list provided by YoungMormonFeminists.org Immigrants and Refugees: Those with untraditional families: mixed race, mixed faith, divorced, step, adoption, disabilities: Those who are going through a faith crisis/journey/transtion: Patrick Mason's "Planted" Thomas McConkie's "Navigating Mormon Faith Crisis" Terryl and Fiona Givens' "Crucible of Doubt" Progressives: What you can do: Peruse the many resources linked here to listen and learn in order to love and understand. Share our podcast episodes and IG posts about these groups and issues on your own social media feeds or with people in your circles who you would like to help understand these perspectives. Be more vocal yourself. Standing up for the marginalized may be unpopular or uncomfortable in certain circles (which is crazy!!), but if we truly believe it is what Christ would do and DID do, we should be able to call on Him for courage and strength to Favorite Things Tiffany Kool-Aid mix-in Zebra mildliner pens Leather strap cable organizers Allyson 1. Rachel Parcell's triple berry pie recipe 2. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day dryer sheets 3. Sharonsaysso IG account and her monthly Government for Grownups class Inspiring Sister Incredible Black women in history
In the first episode of the new season, Antoine and Kennita interview Joanna Brooks from Embody Yoga. After talking about the start of 2021 and the riot on the Capital (4:30), they dive into Joanna’s journey to Embody Yoga (14:30), Embody’s role for Black women (18:15), finding the creativity in yoga (23:20), doing business during COVID-19 (27:25), sweating out edges (34:50), her interests outside of yoga (37:58), her favorite MKE Based Artists (42:40), and more. Music: https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton) Support this podcast
Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Joanna Brooks, founder of Embody Yoga and the Aspiring Black Yoga Teacher's Education Fund. We talk about her path to becoming a yoga teacher and studio owner, how yoga offers more beyond physical exercise, and how she's working to support Black yogis in Milwaukee.To learn more, visit:Embody YogaAction Steps:Think outside of oneself - engage with your community and help othersBridge the CityWhen you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.Music by Casey Masters.
We are so honored to have Joanna on the pod! Joanna is a registered yoga teacher and the owner of Embody YOGA. She first developed an interest in yoga as a teenager. Over the years, she experimented with various forms of physical fitness and dance before returning to the practice in 2011. Joanna started Embody YOGA, on a mission to share the practice of yoga with people of color by offering classes that were accessible, affordable and culturally relevant. Since its founding in 2015, Embody YOGA has served over 400 students, the majority of whom identify as people of color. Nothing brings Joanna more joy than to witness her students develop a personal relationship and connection to the practice of yoga. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling (with an emphasis in child and adolescent counseling) from Marquette University and has a deep commitment to promoting holistic wellness in communities of color. In this episode, Joanna dives into her yoga journey, the formation of EMBODY YOGA and it's powerful purpose in sharing yoga for people of color. She explains ways in which studios can be unintentionally exclusive, the harm that this causes BIPOC trying to join in the practice and the positive impact that happens when students see themselves and their culture reflected in the space. We also discuss the emotional and mental benefits of yoga, the importance of allowing yourself rest, and she reminds us to seek out moments that bring joy. We also chat about: The Aspiring Black Yoga Teachers' Education Fund Her personal experience in YTT Yoga in the park! Resources: Instagram: @embodyyogamke Website: embodyyogamke.com The Aspiring Black Yoga Teachers' Education Fund page Mentioned: Yoga One Studio, The Nap Ministry
The most urgent call in today’s time of pandemic and highly energized demonstrations against racial injustice is for each of us to take stock of ourselves and approach with humility and a repentant heart not only the tragedy and outrage permeating the safety of our internal worlds, but also the beautiful visions for paths to ahead that are being offered. If we are to rise to this moment, we must not stick our heads in the sand or retreat via shallow excuses into a false type of peace, but instead we must lean in. We must read, study, listen and turn to trustworthy voices and educators and allow deep into our hearts their piercing insights and critiques, especially the ones that are painful for us to face). Theirs are the voices of the prophets, not only those who write "on subway walls and tenement halls,” but who are also placed among us in every walk of life, from educators to clergy to economists to activists and community organizers, and, occasionally, politicians. Bless you John Lewis. What love animates all of you and allows you to stay the course of speaking truth to power while refusing to demonize even your harshest persecutors and detractors? This episode features a conversation between Latter-day Faith host Dan Wotherspoon and Joanna Brooks. Joanna’s recent book, Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and the Problem of Racial Innocence (Oxford University Press, 2020), is at the same time scholarly, substantive, unblinking, courageous, and graceful. Full of grace. In Joanna's hands, we come to understand the history of Mormon attitudes and the choices its leaders have and continue to make that fail to recognize fully the equality of all persons, we learn as well as are given the chance to grieve these things while also learning not to demonize the people and failures of faith and courage that have brought us here, nor must we demonize ourselves for our own blindness and the refuge we white Latter-day Saints have taken within carefully constructed systems of "white innocence." As Joanna shares herein: just because we are guilty of so much that we have never imagined, it doesn’t mean that we aren’t still lovable, that we aren't irredeemable, nor that God isn’t actively loving and encouraging us to continue a path Godward. We cannot continue to see salvation as something solely personal. Christ took upon himself “the sins of the world.” We have too long imagined that as limited to our personal sins, those we commit in our hearts and immediate interactions. This must come to an end. We must continue Christ’s work to redeem the sins of the entire world, including its systems that harm so many—not only externally but also inwardly. We are now being drawn more and more toward greater solidarity with the unfairness of those systems that have favored white persons over black, indigenous, and other persons of color. We must look inward rather than retreating to our bubbles that keep us from having to see how harmful our systems of law, commerce, criminal justice, education, health care, and much else can be to the not only to the bodies but also the souls of others, and ourselves. We must be able to see how these systems favor the wealthy over the poor, those with good health and access to health care over those who do not, those who enjoy food security over those who struggle to provide even basic sustenance for themselves and their children are showing themselves to be. Our own processes toward redemption cannot be successful without soul-work that learns to witnesses, stand in solidarity with, and work toward relieving all forms of suffering. Listen in! Read Joanna’s new book, along with others of hers and those folks she recommends!
Joanna Brooks returns to the show with a n honest look at the history of racism in the LDS church. We talk about her recent book Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and the Problem of Racial Innocence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Racism is a heavily debated topic these days, for good reason. Ask the vast majority of people living on the planet whether all people should be treated fairly despite the color of the skin, and they would answer yes! Most God-fearing people would likewise agree that in the sight of God, all are equal. Unfortunately, for the majority of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this was not the commonly taught or accepted doctrine. The truth that racism was not only permitted but perpetuated over the pulpit is a very hard pill to swallow for members of the Church today, as most also agree that in the sight of God, we are equally His beloved children. Dr. Joanna Brooks - author, editor, scholar, activist, and brilliant researcher - recently published another book, Mormonism and White Supremacy. The title is enough to make many mainstream members of the Church uncomfortable, as we are striving to distance ourselves from the term "Mormon," and the term "white supremacy" is both very bold and very negative. Dr. Brooks explains both terms in this episode - "Mormonism" is still the scholarly term to refer to the greater Mormon movement, including all religions and people associated with the Church or any of its offshoot sects since the time of Joseph Smith. White supremacy refers to a system that favors people who are white over those of darker skin, often in subtle but important ways. In her book and in this episode, Dr. Brooks graciously and expertly walks us through the Church's history with racism, specifically against Blacks, or people of African descent. Warning - This may be a difficult episode if you are personally struggling with a testimony of prophets or have been taught to treat prophets with infallibility while acting in their calling. However, this is such an important aspect of the Church to both know and talk about, so I welcome you into the conversation!Enjoy!References:Dr. Joanna Brooks' book: Mormonism and White SupremacyDr. Brooks' websiteScripture reference in the introduction : 2 Nephi 26:33
In 1852, Mormon pioneer-prophet Brigham Young put The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on a path toward a racist practice barring blacks from the priesthood. Some 126 years later, in 1978, church President Spencer W. Kimball ended the policy. But racist doctrines and white supremacist views from Mormon pulpits and within Mormon pews hardly started with the priesthood ban and certainly didn’t stop with its removal. Scholar Joanna Brooks, a professor of English and comparative literature at San Diego State University, explores these uncomfortable teachings and the sometimes-ugly undercurrents in her new book, “Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and the Problem of Racial Innocence.” In this week’s podcast, she discuss how coming to terms with the past and present could help the church and its members build a brighter, more inclusive, more equitable future.
In this episode, we speak with Joanna Brooks, author of a new book exploring the Church's problematic history on the issue of race. Joanna holds a Ph.D. in English from UCLA. She’s the Associate Vice President for Faculty Advancement at San Diego State University, and has written or edited ten books on race, religion, gender, social movements, and American culture.As we all continue to grapple with issues of race not just in America but in our own faith, we thought it was important to understand how we got where we are. Joanna helps us explore the history of the Church as it relates to race — she illustrates where we could and should have done better in addition to telling the stories of heroes who stood up against racism even at great personal cost.We’re really grateful to Joanna for coming on the podcast, and for her willingness to share what she’s learned over many years of research. We hope you enjoy the conversation.Resources:Mormonism and White Supremacy, Joanna Brooks:https://www.amazon.com/Mormonism-White-Supremacy-American-Innocence-ebook/dp/B08761ZHCPThe Color of Money, Mehrsa Baradaranhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B076526LW5/The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexanderhttps://www.amazon.com/New-Jim-Crow-Incarceration-Colorblindness-ebook/dp/B086CFB2NT/13thhttps://www.netflix.com/title/80091741When They See Ushttps://www.innocenceproject.org/central-park-five-tragedy-reframed-in-netflix-series-when-they-see-us/Between the World and Me, Ta-Nahisi Coateshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SEFAIRI/
In a time when America is taking a hard look at our country’s racist past and present, LDS scholar Joanna Brooks looks at the history of race within the LDS church.
In her new book, “Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and the Problem and Racial Innocence,” Joanna Brooks reveals uncomfortable truths about how White supremacist attitudes were built into the LDS Church—and how they still function today. Joanna Brooks and Mica McGriggs talk with Stephen Carter about how racism became part of the Church’s structure …
In her new book, “Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and the Problem and Racial Innocence,” Joanna Brooks reveals uncomfortable truths about how White supremacist attitudes were built into the LDS Church—and how they still function today. Joanna Brooks and Mica McGriggs talk with Stephen Carter about how racism became part of the Church’s structure …
In her new book, “Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and the Problem and Racial Innocence,” Joanna Brooks reveals uncomfortable truths about how White supremacist attitudes were built into the LDS Church—and how they still function today. Joanna Brooks and Mica McGriggs talk with Stephen Carter about how racism became part of the Church’s structure …
Join Natasha for an interview with the fabulous Mica McGriggs about racial equality and social impact. Dr. McGriggs defines racism, white fragility and white supremacy and why Mormons are more vulnerable to racism. They discuss “systems” and what we as white people can do to not be complicit. Dr. McGriggs will be offering a class for anyone to join. To find out more, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/racial-equity-social-impact-tickets-104768040028?fbclid=IwAR1QCgrdBfD_efgtLQCOfeOGYn12SGw11Q-TXFP-5uJ2T0wW9yFvYGN8Azk Resources discussed in this episode: “Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness” by Paul Reeve https://www.amazon.com/Religion-Different-Color-Struggle-Whiteness/dp/0199754071 “The Bridge Poem” by Donna Kate Rushin https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/thebridgepoem.html W.E.B. Du Bois and “double consciousness” First used in an Atlantic Monthly article, “Strivings of the Negro People” in 1897: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1897/08/strivings-of-the-negro-people/305446/ More information on “Double Consciousness” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_consciousness NAACP Legal Defense Fund https://www.naacpldf.org “Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and The Problem of Racial Innocence” by Joanna Brooks https://www.amazon.com/Mormonism-White-Supremacy-American-Innocence-ebook/dp/B08761ZHCP President Russel M. Nelson’s social media statement condemning racism and pleading for peace https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/posts/3015443371856412 Deseret News article on President Nelson’s social media statement https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-06-01/president-nelson-addresses-race-in-social-media-post-185657 To donate to the NAACP, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/naacp-1 To donate to Black Lives Matter, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
In her new book, “Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and the Problem and Racial Innocence,” Joanna Brooks reveals uncomfortable truths about how White supremacist attitudes were built into the LDS Church—and how they still function today. Joanna Brooks and Mica McGriggs talk with Stephen Carter about how racism became part of the Church’s structure …
Who is Joanna brooks – Hear her first episode in the Hall – Ep. 27 0:00- Catching up with Joanna Brooks 3:30- Joanna's Book, Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and The Problem of Racial Innocence 7:37- Carrying the burden... The post Mormonism and White Supremacy Ep. 411 The Cultural Hall appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.
When Alex Cooper was 15 she told her parents that she was gay. What happened next would bring Alex to her limits physically, mentally, and spiritually. For more information read Alex's memoir, "Saving Alex: When I Was Fifteen I Told My Mormon Parents I Was Gay, and That's When My Nightmare Began," with Joanna Brooks. This weeks episode deals with the ever present practice of conversion therapy as well as an organization that goes above and beyond to help LGBTQ teens and young adults. The Trevor Project is an American non-profit organization founded in 1998 focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth. If you or someone you know needs hep visit their website at thetrevorproject.org or call 1-866-488-7386. Research Sources: Lifetime Movie, "Trapped: The Alex Cooper Story" https://www.distractify.com/p/the-alex-cooper-story-is-it-true http://www.newnownext.com/trapped-the-alex-cooper-story-interview/09/2019/
Episode 3 and we discuss life and yoga with Joanna Brooks. We talk about her life and how she became an accidental entrepreneur. You can check out Embody Yoga at EmbodyYogamke.com
Joanna Brooks and Kalani Tonga join me to discuss their book of women's blessings and poetry, 'We Hold Your Name' (2019) From the jacket: "A collection of blessings and poetry written by Mormon women responding to the announcement of Gina Colvin's disciplinary council. This work of love features the voices of established authors like Carol Lynn Pearson and Joanna Brooks, as well as first time poets, and renowned visual artists. It is designed to lend comfort and courage to those who feel unwanted by their religious community, and was written specifically for those facing excommunication from the Mormon Church."
Due to the news of Sam Young's excommunication, we are rereleasing episode 55 from February 2015. Sam Young organized "Protect LDS Children". You can find out more by going here: http://protectldschildren.org ..... This week the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has once again been in the news in regards to the excommunication of one of their own: this time it’s John Dehlin of Mormon Stories – only months after the excommunication of Kate Kelly of Ordain Women. There have been lesser, yet still painful ramifications (losing callings, not being able to attain temple recommends, disfellowshipment, etc.) for members of the church on a global level as we struggle with both historical, doctrinal and social issues we may not all agree on. This is having a significant impact in many stake, ward and family systems – with frustration, anger and relationship struggles becoming unfortunate, yet common happenings. On the evening of the news that John Dehlin was excommunicated, Natasha Helfer Parker, Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, Joanna Brooks, Dan Wotherspoon, and Brian Dillman got together via Skype audio chat to discuss various ways they personally cope with the kinds of distress such things cause, and perspectives that help heal them in times of difficulty. Their sharing is this podcast episode, which is being co-released by Mormon Matters, Rational Faiths podcast, and Mormon Mental Health podcasts. How might we experience and understand our anger in healthy ways? How do we not let our emotions get the better of us and block out wider perspectives that likely would serve us better for the long haul? Can historical and sociological frameworks help us see these recent events in greater context, help us understand ways to move forward rather than repeat negative cycles? Are there larger spiritual or existential framings that can help us make peace with the tensions life and the many things we care about seem to constantly call upon us to bear? In a section led by Joanna Brooks, she refers to and describes this chart: Violence Cycle A poem for my brothers and sisters Please listen and then share your thoughts in the comments section below! Many thanks to The Lower Lights for the beautiful bumper music and to Brian Dillman for audio production of this podcast.
Mark Valeri from Washington University in St. Louis delivers a talk titled “Free Conscience, Moral Judgment, and Social Affections in Evangelical New England.” Response by Joanna Brooks from San Diego State University. This talk was included in the session titled “Evangelical New England.” Part of “Religious Affections in Colonial North America,” a conference held at The Huntington Jan. 27–28, 2017.
We are excited to continue our celebration of the 50th anniversary of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought through a conversation with its current editor, Boyd Jay Petersen, its immediate past editor, Kristine Haglund, and current Dialogue board member and one of the organizers of the upcoming Dialogue anniversary gala, Joanna Brooks. How is Dialogue doing in these times of unprecedented access to information that is causing difficulties for print publications? What is the extent of its online profile these days? How is it positioning itself and making the case for its continued importance within the Mormon tradition? How is it competing for great scholarship, essays, fiction, poetry, and other writings? What are its editorial and board philosophies as it tries to steer toward the future? This is a terrific discussion that we think you’ll enjoy very much! And after Joanna Brooks shares more about the Jubilee events on September 30th, our guess is everyone who listens will be hard-pressed to not want to respond by attending or getting involved in some way! It is going to be amazing!
This is a recording of my interview with Alex Cooper recorded on March 16, 2016 at Velour in Provo, Utah. Alex Cooper, along with Dr. Joanna Brooks, are the co-authors of the new book Saving Alex. Alex was accompanied in this interview by her attorney, Paul Burke. We were also honored to have Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees) perform three musical numbers for us on this special night. Audio/video from this interview can be found below. A description of the book follows: When Alex Cooper was fifteen years old, life was pretty ordinary in her sleepy suburban town and nice Mormon family. At church and at home, Alex was taught that God had a plan for everyone. But something was gnawing at her that made her feel different. These feelings exploded when she met Yvette, a girl who made Alex feel alive in a new way, and with whom Alex would quickly fall in love. Alex knew she was holding a secret that could shatter her family, her church community, and her life. Yet when this secret couldn’t be hidden any longer, she told her parents that she was gay, and the nightmare began. She was driven from her home in Southern California to Utah, where, against her will, her parents handed her over to fellow Mormons who promised to save Alex from her homosexuality. For eight harrowing months, Alex was held captive in an unlicensed “residential treatment program” modeled on the many “therapeutic” boot camps scattered across Utah. Alex was physically and verbally abused, and many days she was forced to stand facing a wall wearing a heavy backpack full of rocks. Her captors used faith to punish and terrorize her. With the help of a dedicated legal team in Salt Lake City, Alex eventually escaped and made legal history in Utah by winning the right to live under the law’s protection as an openly gay teenager. Alex is not alone; the headlines continue to splash stories about gay conversion therapy and rehabilitation centers that promise to “save” teenagers from their sexuality. Saving Alex is a courageous memoir that tells Alex’s story in the hopes that it will bring awareness and justice to this important issue. A bold, inspiring story of one girl’s fight for freedom, acceptance, and truth.
This is a recording of my interview with Alex Cooper recorded on March 16, 2016 at Velour in Provo, Utah. Alex Cooper, along with Dr. Joanna Brooks, are the co-authors of the new book Saving Alex. Alex was accompanied in this interview by her attorney, Paul Burke. We were also honored to have Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees) perform three musical numbers for us on this special night. Audio/video from this interview can be found below. A description of the book follows: When Alex Cooper was fifteen years old, life was pretty ordinary in her sleepy suburban town and nice Mormon family. At church and at home, Alex was taught that God had a plan for everyone. But something was gnawing at her that made her feel different. These feelings exploded when she met Yvette, a girl who made Alex feel alive in a new way, and with whom Alex would quickly fall in love. Alex knew she was holding a secret that could shatter her family, her church community, and her life. Yet when this secret couldn’t be hidden any longer, she told her parents that she was gay, and the nightmare began. She was driven from her home in Southern California to Utah, where, against her will, her parents handed her over to fellow Mormons who promised to save Alex from her homosexuality. For eight harrowing months, Alex was held captive in an unlicensed “residential treatment program” modeled on the many “therapeutic” boot camps scattered across Utah. Alex was physically and verbally abused, and many days she was forced to stand facing a wall wearing a heavy backpack full of rocks. Her captors used faith to punish and terrorize her. With the help of a dedicated legal team in Salt Lake City, Alex eventually escaped and made legal history in Utah by winning the right to live under the law’s protection as an openly gay teenager. Alex is not alone; the headlines continue to splash stories about gay conversion therapy and rehabilitation centers that promise to “save” teenagers from their sexuality. Saving Alex is a courageous memoir that tells Alex’s story in the hopes that it will bring awareness and justice to this important issue. A bold, inspiring story of one girl’s fight for freedom, acceptance, and truth.
A discussion with Mormon feminist scholar Joanna Brooks.
This week’s excommunication from the LDS Church of John Dehlin, and its making fresher the memory of Kate Kelly’s excommunication last summer as well as other actions taken against persons of conscience who have found themselves in tension with the church, is taking a great emotional and spiritual toll on many of us. We are sad, angry, disappointed, frightened, thrown into turmoil with family members and friends who react differently than we do, and we can’t help but wonder if we have the fortitude to keep fighting on, to keep witnessing for truths we’ve come to feel deeply. Many may be feeling that this is the "last straw" or are otherwise despairing that Mormonism will likely never become better able to welcome open-hearted discussions of difficult historical, social, and doctrinal issues. How can we go forward? On the evening of the news that John Dehlin was excommunicated, Natasha Helfer Parker, Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, Joanna Brooks, Dan Wotherspoon, and Brian Dillman got together via Skype audio chat to discuss various ways they personally cope with the kinds of distress such things cause, perspectives that help heal them in times of difficulty. Their sharing is this podcast episode, which is being co-released by Mormon Matters, Rational Faiths podcast, and Mormon Mental Health podcast. How might we experience and understand our anger in healthy ways? How do we not let our emotions get the better of us and block out wider perspectives that likely would serve us better for the long haul? Can historical and sociological frameworks help us see these recent events in greater context, help us understand ways to more forward rather than repeat negative cycles? Are there larger spiritual or existential framings that can help us make peace with the tensions life and the many things we care about seem to constantly call upon us to bear?
Join Julia as she talks with Joanna Brooks about the lessons we can learn about the current environment in the church from Mormon Feminist history. Joanna gives advice…
In this episode, we talk with Joanna Brooks, a professor and author of the memoir The Book of Mormon Girl. We discuss the diversity within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how Mormons engage with interfaith work. We also hear from Keryn Wouden, a Mormon interfaith activist about how the interfaith service she was doing with a friend was tested by a deep disagreement over political views.
The recent official statement on Race and the Priesthood has highlighted in a fresh way the difficult issue of prophets and apostles who are subject to the influences of culture and largely unexamined assumptions of their day that color their understandings of and impact their statements about sometimes very important matters. If this is so, how then should we view them and the nature of "prophetic inspiration"? What does it mean for us as church members when we come to understand "revelation" as a much more human-saturated process than the "hotline phone with God" model that we perhaps once assumed? In this episode, Joanna Brooks, Ronda Callister and Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon go personal on this subject, sharing their own wrestles and journeys to peace within Mormonism, including coming to honor even very human leaders who don’t always know or teach God’s will. As Brooks puts it within the discussion, how is it that she feels comfortable saying Mormonism can be both "special and wrong"? We hope you’ll listen and then share your own ideas and personal wrestles with these issues!
This episode was planned to be an exploration of the joys and perils of being a public face of Mormonism, especially as a woman, and in particular as women who write and speak about Mormon theology. What it ended up being is a rich, wise, affectionate, celebratory, pragmatic exploration of LDS theology, community life, and connections with ideas and people that truly are among the lovely and of good report in wider religious discourse. Using the jumping off point of Fiona and Terryl Givens’ new book, _The Good Who Weeps: How Mormons Make Sense of Life_, Fiona Givens, Joanna Brooks, Jana Riess, and Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon go deep, laugh, commiserate, but mostly celebrate the depth and richness of the Mormon vision of God, life, purposes, and possibilities.
In this episode of Matters of the Heart, Joanna Brooks reads an excerpted version of her Ask Mormon Girl blog essay about the October 2012 announcement that the LDS Church has changed the age at which women can serve missions. As Joanna shares her joy over this announcement, it's clear that this marks more than just a change in age limits: Mormon girls will now live in an entirely new narrative. Imagine possibilities with her!
From “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” to CNN, Joanna Brooks has become a go-to voice during our national inspection of Mormonism in this presidential campaign. As Mitt Romney makes history, we revisit our personal and revealing conversation with the Ask Mormon Girl blogger. She opens a window on Mormonism as an evolving and far from monolithic faith.
Joanna Brooks is chair and associate professor of English and Comparative Literature at San Diego State University. She’s also blogs at Religion Dispatches and Ask Mormon Girl.
In this two part episode we interview Joanna Brooks about her new book"The Book of Mormon Girl."
In this two part episode we interview Joanna Brooks about her new book"The Book of Mormon Girl."
On the verge of another Pioneer Day (July 24th and the 165th anniversary of the first Mormon pioneer wagon train reaching the Salt Lake Valley), Mormon Matters takes this opportunity to the current state of discourse and cultural practices (in the U.S. and abroad) surrounding those who sacrificed so much to cross plains, mountains, and seas in the quest to find a place where they could establish Zion. In this episode, panelists Joanna Brooks, Gina Colvin, and Joseph and Shalisse Johnstun join Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon in discussing the ways they draw strength and part of their identity from U.S. pioneer or other ancestors, examine the mixed blessing contained in the mythologizing of the pioneers--faithful, never wavering, can do it all, bear all burdens with gladness--that so often dominates discourse about them, riff a bit on the practice in many stakes of every few years organizing handcart "trek" experiences for their youth, and discuss other possible (or better!) ways Latter-day Saints might still teach coming generations to value and honor the pioneers and their many gifts still alive in the church today without relying so heavily on idealized portrayals or forced, extreme measures.
As part of the 2012 Boston Mormon Stories regional conference, Joanna Brooks speaks, and conference attendees share their stories.
We are excited to launch the pilot a new podcast and set of resources located at MormonTransitions.org. The purpose of this project is to support LDS church members who are navigating difficult Mormon-related transitions. In today's episode, Joanna Brooks and Brian Johnston join John Dehlin to provide an overview of navigating a Mormon faith transition.
This two-part episode features a fascinating, dynamic, and soaring discussion that takes us into the experiences, cultures, and elements of the worldviews of Latter-day Saints from Pacific Island nations. We learn pieces of the history of two of these nations as it relates to the LDS Church taking hold there, what elements resonate with those who are from the "islands of the sea" (D&C 1:1; 2 Nephi 29:11), and the ways that Mormonism integrates into the daily lives of, especially, Maori and Tongan Saints--including places where Polynesian culture does not allow white Mormon practices and ways of seeing to penetrate, such as with the ceremonial use of kava, notions of family and various power dynamics within families, and funeral practices. In letting us into their lives and perspectives, the panelists also take us deep into the experience of forming identities shaped by both Polynesian and white cultures, which also allows us to see very clearly how there truly are no "neutral" spaces--how "whiteness" carries values and perspectives that are often invisible if not explored through the comparative process. In this Mormon Matters episode, we are privileged to have powerful and open yet charitable guides into these (often wonderfully evocative) tensions. Some of the specific topics discussed in this episode: Polynesian views of passages in the Book of Mormon that seem to tie darker skin with unrighteousness; the Church-run Polynesian Cultural Center, "performing indigenity," and both the difficult tensions some experience related to different modesty standards as well as the positive ways that performing culture for entertainment purposes can lead to increased opportunities for people from these island nations; mixed views among Tongan Mormons about the film The Other Side of Heaven; the hyper-sexualization and sometimes infantilizing of Polynesian peoples; how gender roles often play out in much more balanced ways in Maori and Tongan cultures than they do in typical U.S. Mormonism; grieving styles; and some of the consequences for Polynesian youth in Utah and the U.S. of identity diminishment from language loss and separation from one’s family’s roots and cultural history. Then in the podcast’s transcendent final twenty-five minutes, we are privileged to hear firsthand from our panelists telling about their lives and work exactly what it means to claim an identity and embrace the responsibilities that come with that choice. This episode features panelists Gina Colvin, a Maori living and teaching in New Zealand, and Anapesi Ka’ili and Luana Uluave, two Tongans with strong roots in both Tongan families and Utah Mormonism who share a great love for the gospel and each part of their identity but also have wonderful independent perspectives. Mormon Matters favorite Joanna Brooks and host Dan Wotherspoon facilitate the discussion, but they are mostly simply thrilled to play a small part in bringing this discusion to listeners. One of the best Mormon Matters episodes of all time--informative, humbling, inspiring!
This two-part episode features a fascinating, dynamic, and soaring discussion that takes us into the experiences, cultures, and elements of the worldviews of Latter-day Saints from Pacific Island nations. We learn pieces of the history of two of these nations as it relates to the LDS Church taking hold there, what elements resonate with those who are from the "islands of the sea" (D&C 1:1; 2 Nephi 29:11), and the ways that Mormonism integrates into the daily lives of, especially, Maori and Tongan Saints--including places where Polynesian culture does not allow white Mormon practices and ways of seeing to penetrate, such as with the ceremonial use of kava, notions of family and various power dynamics within families, and funeral practices. In letting us into their lives and perspectives, the panelists also take us deep into the experience of forming identities shaped by both Polynesian and white cultures, which also allows us to see very clearly how there truly are no "neutral" spaces--how "whiteness" carries values and perspectives that are often invisible if not explored through the comparative process. In this Mormon Matters episode, we are privileged to have powerful and open yet charitable guides into these (often wonderfully evocative) tensions. Some of the specific topics discussed in this episode: Polynesian views of passages in the Book of Mormon that seem to tie darker skin with unrighteousness; the Church-run Polynesian Cultural Center, "performing indigenity," and both the difficult tensions some experience related to different modesty standards as well as the positive ways that performing culture for entertainment purposes can lead to increased opportunities for people from these island nations; mixed views among Tongan Mormons about the film The Other Side of Heaven; the hyper-sexualization and sometimes infantilizing of Polynesian peoples; how gender roles often play out in much more balanced ways in Maori and Tongan cultures than they do in typical U.S. Mormonism; grieving styles; and some of the consequences for Polynesian youth in Utah and the U.S. of identity diminishment from language loss and separation from one’s family’s roots and cultural history. Then in the podcast’s transcendent final twenty-five minutes, we are privileged to hear firsthand from our panelists telling about their lives and work exactly what it means to claim an identity and embrace the responsibilities that come with that choice. This episode features panelists Gina Colvin, a Maori living and teaching in New Zealand, and Anapesi Ka’ili and Luana Uluave, two Tongans with strong roots in both Tongan families and Utah Mormonism who share a great love for the gospel and each part of their identity but also have wonderful independent perspectives. Mormon Matters favorite Joanna Brooks and host Dan Wotherspoon facilitate the discussion, but they are mostly simply thrilled to play a small part in bringing this discusion to listeners. One of the best Mormon Matters episodes of all time--informative, humbling, inspiring!
Phyllis Barber and Joanna Brooks are two of Mormonism’s bravest voices, writers of memoirs in which they offer us privileged glimpses of their inner lives, their comings of age in all the kinds of awkwardness that entails, including learning how to inhabit their bodies and sexuality in healthy ways, tensions between the path indicated by LDS narratives and the various other possibilities suggested by other stories that surround them, struggles with theological ideas and legacies that are especially difficult for women, their searches for place in and peace with the tradition and people into which they were born and "cultured." Their memoirs serve their own Mormon people through telling Mormon stories that offer companionship to other Latter-day Saints who have been shaped by the same or similar ideas, rituals, and messages--both the ennobling ones and those that miss the mark, even sometimes harm. These books and these writers' willingness to be exposed personally as well as to share an insider’s view of Mormon teachings and rituals also serve as powerful bridges to those outside the LDS community. Through their intimate depictions of the particularity of their Mormon upbringings and lives, these books provide connection to what is universal in human experience.
This episode is an attempt to aid in processing the current moment in which various Mormon-watching communities are beginning to digest the preliminary results that have recently been released from the Open Stories Foundation survey about why Mormons leave the church, which comes on the heels of remarks made in December at Utah State University by LDS Church Historian Elder Marlin Jensen and reported on in numerous recent news stories in which he reflects on the current disaffection crisis and the Church’s plans to help address it. What does the survey suggest? How might the LDS Church move ahead more effectively--and how might we as members of these online communities assist in claiming a greater space within Mormonism for a more accurate telling of its history and an acceptance of a wider variety of ways of orienting toward Mormonism’s scriptures and shaping narratives? What are some tools or framings that might be helpful to those who through these news stories (and others yet to come as more results are released) might be hearing about are deciding to truly examine many of the complexities of church history and doctrine for the first time? Joining Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon in reflecting on this current moment are podcast veterans, professor, blogger, and LDS commentator Joanna Brooks, professor and holder of the Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University Philip Barlow, and first-time podcast guest and financial strategist Scott Holley, who served as a key analyst for the survey.
Mormons pray . . . a lot! Latter-day Saints are encouraged to have daily (twice or more) personal prayer, family prayer including children (in addition to parents praying together), prayers before meals, prayers for safety, and even other injunctions to "pray without ceasing." Mormon meetings and classes all open and close with prayer, and Mormons offer scripted prayers when blessing the emblems of the sacrament, when baptizing, and performing certain temple ordinances, and they offer blessings and other types of prayers in language that isn’t scripted but that must include certain elements. LDS rhetoric also often prescribes certain language forms or prayer while in particular physical postures as most appropriate for prayer. Clearly, Mormons are a prayerful people. But how much do Mormons really practice prayer? Are they encouraged to see prayer as a deep spiritual praxis? Certainly the scriptures and occasional messages from Church leaders point in this direction, but how many Latter-day Saints truly move much beyond a type of prayer practice that typified what they learned in their childhood and teenage years and into much more mature relationship with God that might even include protest, lament, confessions of disbelief, as well as the joyousness of deeper exposure and vulnerability, and coming into friendship with God and truly seeing themselves the way God sees them? In this episode, Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Tresa Edmunds, and Jacob Baker examine Mormon prayer as it functions in LDS communal life and typical praxis, as well as discuss perspectives and practices they have incorporated or have been made aware of in their own journeys or wider reading and experiences. At several points in the podcast, they also pay particular attention to prayer as a possible praxis even for those undergoing faith crisis or transition, and who may have lost confidence in previous views of what God is like--or even if there is a God.
We Mormons have heard it countless times: "I know the Church is true?" But what does this mean? Heck, even more basic, what does "true" mean? In this podcast, host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Dennis Potter, and Rhett Tenney take a deep dive into these questions. Explorations include overviews of major philosophical approaches, especially those most relevant to thinking about religious beliefs and practices, the shifts in thinking that have revolutionized thought about the nature of truth in the past century, including strong recognition of the way we all inhabit discourses that shape our views of truth and the world, and theories from sociology about how social rewards and group cohesion rituals work to make our choices about what we believe and hold to be true anything but purely rational, or involving our simply "following the evidence." The participants also all reflect on the way they view Mormonism and their own spiritual journeys (for one of them, out of the church) understanding what they do about the many factors that feed into this what-used-to-seem-so-simple matter of "truth."
Latter-day Saints who experience a faith crisis are thrust into unfamiliar and difficult territory, and are forced to face many issues, including the decision to remain actively engaged with Mormonism, to step away for a while in an effort to regain one’s bearings and perhaps live into new perspectives or find fresh ways to engage it, or to sever ties altogether. At the heart of many of these difficult decisions is a strong desire on the part of the person in crisis to live a life of integrity, to act in harmony with their ideals, highest values, and understandings of what is and isn’t true. In this Mormon Matters episode, host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Brian Johnston, and Jeff Green dive deep into queries along the lines of "How do I live with integrity when I no longer believe the truth claims the way I used to, or when my experiences at church no longer uplift me or even cause me great pain, or when the majority of church members hold such radically different views from me?" In the discussion, the panelists all take great care to honor the many differences in experiences, temperaments, life circumstances, and understandings about the nature of truth (and especially Mormon truth claims) that can lead different people, all with equal integrity, to choose different paths. If there is a bias, it is toward the importance of really taking one’s time before making these decisions or enacting one’s decisions in ways that might burn bridges or cause irrevocable harm to relationships.
The recent Occupy Wall Street movement and its ongoing spread, along with the cover essay in the October 2011 issue of Harper’s that draws what the author of that piece sees as a direct link between Mormonism’s economic ideals and its rise in influence in society at large, and certain factions of the Republican Party in particular, provide excellent springboards for a great discussion about LDS views about wealth, dangers that arise in times of prosperity, business principles, economic systems, cultural attitudes that sometimes suggest a connection between righteousness and financial successes, and much more. And that’s what this podcast episode contains. In dialogue with each other and Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, panelists Joanna Brooks, Todd Decker, and Jason Brown provide a far-ranging discussion that draws important distinctions between an LDS culture that seems to writers, pundits, and many outsiders to be quite like the picture painted by the Harper’s article (which is, of course, accurate in certain ways) and the long history of Mormon theological teachings about the dangers that are inherent in wealth and prosperity and divorcing oneself from the labor of one’s own hands, the sacredness of community, and economic systems that forefront care for one another. These are difficult issues, and this podcast is full of terrific observations, both light and serious, and wonderful invitations for deep self-examination. Can and will those who find themselves recognizing that they a sympathy with the Occupy movement or have other hesitations about capitalism as it operates today do more than just talk?
This week’s Mormon Matters episode discusses two stories from the past week: (1) The dust-up over and media slam-down of remarks made by Texas mega-church pastor and Governor Rick Perry supporter Robert Jeffress that Mormonism is a cult--does this episode represent a real shift in the tenor of the "Mormon Moment"?; and (2) the news that the LDS Church has recently sent out a survey that aims to understand how its members interact with today’s social media and view particular blogs, bloggers, and reporters--including two of this episode’s panel members, Joanna Brooks and McKay Coppins. The episode’s third panelist, Morris Thurston, is one of those who was surveyed. The result of this coming together is a dynamic conversation full of passion (don’t let Joanna Brooks hear you think you’re in any way playing fair when you speak of Mormonism as a cult!) and terrific insights into current national discussion of Mormonism as well as some of the things the LDS Church might be hoping to learn from their surveys.
Right click here to download the mp3. Art by Mara Berendt Friedman As a teen, Janice converted to the LDS church as part of an attempt to cure herself of her lesbianism. She served a mission and married in the temple as part of her determination to be "fixed." Her journey to find her whole self — the wild woman, the lesbian, the feminist — led her into the depths of depression and to the brink of taking her own life where she was gifted with a deep realization that God loved her. Janice will be watching the comments so she can respond to questions and issues brought up in her story.As you leave comments, remember that Daughters of Mormonism seeks to provide a safe place for women to share their stories. This is a real story from a real person. Please see the Comment Policy for further details.Janice's Recommended ResourcesWomen Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola EstesMormon Stories Podcast hosted by John DelinMormon Matters Podcast hosted by Dan WotherspoonAsk Mormon Girl by Joanna BrooksDialogue: Journal of Mormon ThoughtSunstone MagazineAffirmation.org for Gay and Lesbian MormonsStonewall CenterYou can contact Janice at outofthewombsinging @ gmail.com
From 1986 to 1997, the Student Review enjoyed a wonderful run as BYU’s independent student newspaper, which at its peak published weekly and achieved a circulation of 10,000. During its run, SR featured a wonderful cross section of news reporting, essays, and wildly popular humor and satire, with some of its stories resulting in changes to campus policy, as well as impacting life in the wider community and state. As a result of some of its coverage of difficult issues, the publication occasionally rankled school administrators, sometimes even triggering official efforts to shut it down. A team of current BYU students has now resurrected the Student Review, printing and distributing its first issue on September 19th. In this episode, we meet SR’s new editor, Craig Mangum, and also learn about the newspaper’s founding and history from additional panelists, Bill Kelly, SR’s first publisher, and former editors Joanna Brooks and Matt Workman. And through it all we get a chance to hear tales of a delightful slice of BYU life as experienced by some of the school’s best and brightest of the past and present. Warning: This discussion contains stories of a credit card with mythological status, rampant sexual tension, and adventures with security guards and steam tunnels. You don’t want to miss out on any of the fun!
The recent tragedy in Oslo as well as the Warren Jeffs trial provide two recent examples of the way various personality traits and/or mental issues coupled with isolation and the refusal to allow ones own ideas to be challenged can lead to horrific acts of violence and depravity that the perpetrators claim to view as righteous. In this podcast, Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks and Natasha Helfer Parker examine various angles into how distorted worldviews like these take hold, the influence of nature and nurture (including religious factors), as well as some of the things we might learn from such extreme visions about how to achieve balance in our own ways of seeing the world and our place within it.
The Sunstone Symposium that begins next week (3 - 6 August) provides a good springboard into a discussion of the history and focuses of two of the longest-running and most important entities in independent Mormon thought--Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought and Sunstone (magazine and host of multiple conferences each year). In today’s Internet world with ever-increasing numbers of Mormon-themed websites, blogs, and podcasts, it is sometimes easy to forget that many of the most frequent topics under discussion in today’s forums have been debated and discussed in uncorrelated publications and gatherings for more than four decades, and that we who enjoy (or crave) these conversations today have an amazing treasure trove of wonderfully written, meticulously researched, and pioneering articles and essays that are definitely worth discovering, as well as thousands of thoughtful, dynamic, and many times funny or quirky discussions available in audio for free (or close-to-free) downloading. Please join Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, along with Joanna Brooks, Dialogue editor Kristine Haglund, and Sunstone editor Stephen Carter, for a fun and informative tour of the history and contributions of these stalwart organizations and their offerings, along with some very thoughtful (not kidding here: listen!) comments about the ways the blogging/podcasting and print worlds each have important and separate functions and roles to play, but also how they can (and already do) benefit greatly from each other. In the first half hour, Joanna Brooks also pushes Kristine Haglund to share some of her own experiences growing up in a faithful but very "thinky" home in which Dialogue was always around and difficult questions in Mormonism were regularly discussed, with no topics off limits.
Recent decades have seen a decrease in emphases of and public and internal discussions of many of Mormonism’s most distinctive doctrines and practices--including many that are often thought of as "weird." Has this trend of downplaying Mormon differences from mainline Christian views, as well as many of Mormonism's interesting and unique blend of views about human progression, the nature of God and humans, God’s power and goals for the world, the idea of a Heavenly Mother, and so forth, been a net positive or negative for the tradition? Clearly Mormonism is more publicly accepted today (with obvious exceptions), but would this have happened even without this shift toward emphasizing agreements with other faiths rather than because of it? Have the costs associated with being better accepted been too high? Is the current trend of downplaying differences something that can be reversed? Should it be? How do doctrines and practices come in and out of prominence within Mormonism? In this podcast, Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Todd Decker, and Scott Heffernan engage in a far-ranging discussion of these issues and basically have a great time discussing (mostly with great affection) some of these unique Mormon emphases along with their current status within the tradition and whether or not those currently enjoying less of a role will/should stay that in the background. In the end, there was just too much to be discussed, so this particular episode mostly lands as a good beginning point for listeners to jump in: What are your favorite deemphasized LDS teachings or practices? How do you feel about where the LDS Church is today in terms of what is emphasized publicly or in internal discussions?
On June 11, 2011, members of the Mormon Stories community held their 2nd regional conference in Salt Lake City. In this panel presentation entitled Navigating an Open Approach to Mormonism, professors Margaret Toscano and Joanna Brooks, along with Carol Lynn Pearson, Jared Anderson and John Dehlin discuss inclusivity, openness, and an expended approach to Mormon identity, while also fielding practical questions from the audience.
In early June, the Deseret News published a list compiled by Leonard J. Arrington in 1969 of the "most eminent intellectuals in Mormon history." As you can imagine, the feature generated a lot of discussion both on the newspaper’s website, as well as in many corners of the Mormon bloggernacle. Who among those listed still belong in the Top Ten? Who should be on there now? Why aren’t any women listed, and which women should have made that list then or if a new list were compiled today? In this Mormon Matters episode, host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Kristine Haglund, and Boyd Peterson discuss this list and various issues it raises, but then launch into a both serious and fun examination of the oftentimes uncomfortable relationship that Mormonism has had with its intellectuals. Among the topics they hash out are what makes someone an intellectual, why being "learned" is often seen with suspicion and denounced by certain church leaders and members, what positive roles do intellectuals play within the LDS tradition, and what advice might the panelists give to those with an intellectual temperament who find themselves struggling for a comfortable home within Mormonism? It’s a great discussion that raises issues faced by many of this podcast’s listeners.
On June 11, 2011, members of the Mormon Stories community held their 2nd regional conference in Salt Lake City. In this keynote address entitled"Mormon Identity in the 21st Century: Claiming and Belonging", professor and author Joanna Brooks explores a more expansive vision for Mormon identity.
A recent article at the Patheos website by evangelical Christian writer and publisher Warren Cole Smith made a big splash both on that website and in Mormon circles because of Smith’s argument that a Mitt Romney presidency would be "dangerous" for many souls who could lose their salvation if they were led astray by Mormonism’s false teachings about God and Christ. Smith hangs his case for a president’s religious beliefs being a strong enough influence for something like this to happen on several claims that many, including other evangelicals writing at Patheos, find dubious. Yet, according to Smith (and the number of "likes" his article received on the Patheos site), many people are sympathetic to his warnings. Why do such claims arise? Why are there many who see Mormonism as so different from Christianity’s primary streams (Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism) that someone’s salvation might be threatened if they believed as Mormons do? Where does Smith and his "danger to souls" line of thinking fit along the Evangelical Christian spectrum of belief? How have Mormon attitudes and actions contributed to their being excluded by many as "Christians?" Are new forms of dialogue and seeing each other emerging that can lead the groups to learn important things from one other? In this episode, host Dan Wotherspoon is joined by Joanna Brooks, Jana Riess, and evangelical writer and host of dialogues between evangelical Christians and Latter-day Saints John Morehead. Even if discussions about the differences between evangelical/mainline Christian and Mormon teachings and attitudes seem like well-worn territory for many listeners, this podcast episode contains satisfying, frank talk about difficult issues as well as fresh insights and reasons for hopefulness that greater respect and understanding between the groups is on the horizon.
Mormonism has always been a home to members with many different religious temperaments, levels of belief, attitudes toward authority, and commitment to and comfort within the community. Still, even with this diversity, Mormonism has often felt to many members (and certainly to most outsiders) as monolithic--if the diversity is there, it hasn’t always been easy to find those "like you." Indeed, much of this sense and appearance of unity came as a result of the efforts of the institutional church to deliberately set and convey fairly rigid boundaries about what constituted orthodoxy and orthopraxis, and who was and was not a Mormon "in good standing." Thanks in large part to the Internet revolution and the powerful networking it allows, this situation seem to be changing. Latter-day Saints are no longer looking quite as much to the institution for such definitions. Church members along many different spectrums of belief and practice are finding each other and declaring their identities as Mormons, even if they fail to align very closely with the mainstream. In this week’s episode, Mormon Matters host, Dan Wotherspoon, and panelists Joanna Brooks, Jared Anderson, and Blair Hodges explore various aspects of this new moment, this explosion among Latter-day Saints who don’t feel they fit the standard, institutional identity to begin to categorize themselves within the tradition’s larger tent. What challenges and issues have led to this eruption of felt need for broader ways to identify oneself? What positive purposes do the labels people are using to describe themselves and their place within the larger tradition serve? Are there drawbacks to these labels, especially ones that seem to work to distance those persons from particular aspects of Mormonism or religious "styles" that don’t match with theirs? Can the needs of all these different types of Mormons be met within one community, or does literal belief and a comfort with exploration of complexities (even doubt) need to be quarantined from each other? What are some of the ways the panelists are finding homes for themselves--even on Sundays--within this broad and wonderfully diverse LDS community?
The most recent issue of BYU Studies features the article, "‘A Mother There’: A Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven," co-written by David L. Paulsen and Martin Pulido. The article presents an overview of research that attempted to find every printed or recorded mention of Mother in Heaven or Heavenly Parents by LDS leaders. It is a great piece of scholarship and much needed. In this podcast discussion, host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Martin Pulido (article co-author), Tresa Edmunds, and Joanna Brooks present an overview of the BYU Studies article's key findings, as well as significant statements and moments in the history of this doctrine, but then ventures beyond historical reporting and into broader territories. What is the nature of the discourse about Heaven Mother in today’s LDS Church? What ideas about God the Mother hinder vigorous discussion or advancement of this important doctrine, and how can these challenges be met gracefully? What might the future hold for this teaching? How does Mother in Heaven affect the panelists’ own faith? This podcast is a bit longer than most other Mormon Matters episodes. We think you'll find the extra listening time to be worth it, though! The podcast also contains what might possibly be the first one-liner joke in the history of this discussion topic. (It’s in good taste, of course, courtesy of the quick mind of Joanna Brooks.)
Official statistics are hard to come by, but it has become clear over the past several years that Mormonism is seeing many of its 18- to 30-year-olds reduce their participation in the church or leave the faith altogether. Two recent actions confirm this trend and reveal the church’s initial responses in trying to stem the tide. First, in an effort to better track singles and help them feel connected to a local unit by providing new opportunities for callings and meeting other singles without "ward hopping," the church has disbanded Utah student wards and reorganized them into singles wards in all-single adult stakes. And second, because it seems to recognize that it meets the needs of families better than it does singles, it has begun to strongly reemphasize the counsel for young adults to not delay marriage, to not be afraid of finding a worthy partner and starting a family right away even if this means possibly experiencing financial and other struggles not faced by those who marry later. In this podcast, host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Tresa Edmunds, and Jared Anderson explore this issue of a church seemingly in danger of losing a generation of young people. Why are today’s youth failing to feel connected to the church in the way members of earlier generations were? What has shifted in society, and the experiences and mindsets of today’s "Millennial" generation? Can this exit trend be slowed or stopped--and if so, how? This podcast contains no final "answers," but it sure is a lively discussion!
Michael Otterson, head of the LDS Church's Public Affairs department, recently wrote a short piece for the Washington Post's "On Faith" blog titled, "What Mormon Equality Looks Like." In his post, he cites three anonymous LDS women who assert their equality with men in terms of access to pulpits to teach and pray, their chances to preside over Church organizations, their equality "in the eyes of God, as equal halves of a divine pair and equal partners in his work, which includes the raising of families," as well as equality in their rights to "direct access to God through prayer for inspiration, personal guidance and forgiveness of sins." Women, he asserts, are "incredible," and the church "would not be nearly the organization it is today without the women who comprise more than half of its adult membership." Otterson's depiction of equality led to a great deal of discussion on various LDS blogs, including a wonderfully executed piece of satire by Kristine Haglund comparing women's equality with the type of equality her children enjoy as a member of her family. In this episode, Haglund is joined by two other panelists, Jana Riess and Joanna Brooks, and host Dan Wotherspoon in an animated, broad, and very insightful discussion of Mormon women today. How can we raise the level of discourse on women beyond the issues of priesthood ordination and claims by many LDS women to be completely fulfilled? Are there theological insights or practices that might lead the Church to employ women's gifts more fully? What strategies do the panelists find most helpful as they boldly speak out on difficult issues while still maintaining full activity in the church and good relationships with members and leaders? What renews their faith and encourages them to remain engaged?
NY Times columnist David Brooks very much enjoyed the Broadway musical "The Book of Mormon," but, as he articulates in his 21 April 2011 column "Creed or Chaos," he believes the play's authors end up celebrating a "vague, uplifting, nondoctrinal" type of religion that can't last and doesn't motivate people to perform "heroic acts of service," such as serving missions to third-world nations. As a result, he uses the musical as a springboard for celebrating the virtues of thriving religions, which he says have "communal theologies, doctrines and codes of conduct rooted in claims of absolute truth." In this episode, host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, John Dehlin, and Brian Johnston use Brooks' column as a springboard of their own into many aspects of Mormonism, including both the light and shadow sides of its rigor, demands, and messages (and the ways these messages are communicated), and what contributions any of these have to those who are unsure about staying LDS or who are seeking ways to engage with the church and fellow members in healthy ways even though they may be a bit "out of the box" in some of their views.
This episode discusses the 13 April 2011 Deadspin.com article, “The Truth about Race, Religion, and the Honor Code at BYU,” which highlights possible racial factors at play in the way BYU enforces its Honor Code among its athletes. The story states: “Since 1993, at least 70 athletes have been suspended, dismissed, put on probation, or forced to withdraw from their teams or the school after running afoul of the honor code. Fifty-four of them, or nearly 80 percent, are minorities. Forty-one, or almost 60 percent, are black men.” One of the article’s co-authors, Darron Smith, joins Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon and regular contributor Joanna Brooks in a far-ranging discussion of the article and its findings, as well as wider issues of racism with Mormonism and how they might be highlighted and addressed at both the general Church and local congregational levels.
This episode, which was recorded a couple of days after the close of the April 2011 General Conference, explores the interplay between Latter-day Saints and those who are called to lead them as prophets, seers, and revelators. Why do some church members want to elevate leaders' words from the conference center podium almost to the level of scripture? Why is there so much adoration of leaders even as they regularly acknowledge their own humanity and fallibility, and even speak of the adulation they receive as one of their biggest challenges? To whom do church leaders aim their messages, and why? How much do audience expectations shape what leaders say and do? Are there ways to view leaders respectfully while also respectfully disagreeing with their positions? Please join Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Heather Beal, and Randall Paul for a free-flowing and insightful discussion about these and other aspects of the relationship between church members and those who lead them.
This two-part episode uses the recent Japanese earthquakes and tsunamis as a springboard for a robust discussion of nature, and especially natural disasters. Often we hear claims that the upheaval and suffering caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, tornados, famine, and the like are “God’s will,” that God is sending a message through these events. And certainly there is certainly scriptural precedent for that view, and even modern prophetic utterance. But are there other, more nuanced and perhaps more ennobling ways to frame natural disasters within a theistic worldview? And if there are ways of seeing these upheavals that can lead to increased faith or broadened and deepened spirituality or love for God and the world, are any of these healthy approaches hinted at or embedded in particular Mormon views and practices? We know you’ll enjoy this dynamic discussion (so good we had to double our normal podcast length!) between Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists George Handley, Duane Jeffery, and Joanna Brooks. We encourage you to also visit and contribute to this episode’s blog discussion.
This two-part episode uses the recent Japanese earthquakes and tsunamis as a springboard for a robust discussion of nature, and especially natural disasters. Often we hear claims that the upheaval and suffering caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, tornados, famine, and the like are “God’s will,” that God is sending a message through these events. And certainly there is certainly scriptural precedent for that view, and even modern prophetic utterance. But are there other, more nuanced and perhaps more ennobling ways to frame natural disasters within a theistic worldview? And if there are ways of seeing these upheavals that can lead to increased faith or broadened and deepened spirituality or love for God and the world, are any of these healthy approaches hinted at or embedded in particular Mormon views and practices? We know you’ll enjoy this dynamic discussion (so good we had to double our normal podcast length!) between Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists George Handley, Duane Jeffery, and Joanna Brooks. We encourage you to also visit and contribute to this episode’s blog discussion.
This episode features a panel discussion of the potential candidacies of Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman as they consider a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. Have American attitudes towards Mormonism shifted significantly since Romney’s first campaign was often sidetracked by the “Mormon Question”? Has the Church’s involvement with Prop 8 helped or hurt the Mormon image for Republican voters? Does Glenn Beck being a high-profile Mormon have any effect on the potential electability of LDS candidates? Please enjoy host Dan Wotherspoon and panelists Joanna Brooks, Jenny Nettesheim, and Jennifer Liddell as they discuss these and other issues related to Mormonism and today’s politics. The podcast also contains an update on current protests and debates in Wisconsin regarding collective bargaining for public employees.
A discussion of BYU's suspension of BYU basketball player Brandon Davies for his honor code violation. Joining us today are Joanna Brooks, Tom Grover, Ashley Sanders and host Dan Wotherspoon.
In this re-launching of Mormon Matters podcast, Dan Wotherspoon leads a panel consisting of Joanna Brooks, Heather Olson Beal and John Dehlin to discuss: 1) sexuality as a single LDS church member, 2) the 5 Browns sexual abuse news, and 3) immigration and the LDS church.
In Part 2, John Hamer, J. Nelson Seawright, Joanna Brooks and I lay out Karen Armstrong's major premises, and analyze them.
Joanna Brooks was a very important figure in the BYU Academic Freedom days of 1990-1993...and is now a writer on Mormon topics for Religion Dispatches (along w/ being the Dept. Chair of English at SDSU).
Joanna Brooks was a very important figure in the BYU Academic Freedom days of 1990-1993...and is now a writer on Mormon topics for Religion Dispatches (along w/ being the Dept. Chair of English at SDSU).
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