The second video in this series will be out soon! Support me on Patreon and come be my hoes. It would mean the world. www.patreon.com/nuancehoe Tip Jar (Venmo: CarahB): account.venmo.com/u/CarahB
Thank you for speaking up for trans people, especially trans children. The church has vilified the LGBTQ community and science shows these aspects of humanity are genetically driven. The church is literally punishing people for something they can't control, like having blue eyes. This infects the entire state with hateful rhetoric, actions and laws. We had to leave the state because our alphabet soup family was really suffering. I hope the church either ends or reforms itself to deal with this next-level hate that has infected it so thoroughly. Rotten fruits, indeed.
Thank you for your service. I am never-Mo, and this man has my blood pressure up. I couldn't finish it on MS. I am glad you are speaking the truth; it is not good for one's health to hold it in while the lies pile up. I hope you have time to take a break and care for yourself after re-experiencing this nightmare.
4:47 that's a half-truth regarding the nature of rational thinking. Occam's Razor is more of a rule of thumb than an absolute rigorous standard. As long as you are using things like Occam's Razor, you are still in the realm of conjecture and it isn't crazy to think that what seems most likely could still be wrong.
It's always interesting to hear my dad's name dropped in a RU-vid video. I haven't spoken out publicly yet, but if you are interested in talking to one of Russ Barlow's ex-mormon kid's, I'd be happy to talk about my perspective growing up in and journeying out of LDS fundamentalism.
@nuancehoe thank you for confronting this guy who's obviously not rationa. His attempt to draw parity between pedophiles and gay people very absurd. I say this as a progressive LDS, I found him offence and ignorant.
As painful as it was to watch that whole interview with Rod, I do think it will help people who are still a bit on the fence, make the leap and get out, because he doesn't even seem to really believe his own weak arguments. I'm so sick of the whole "you can't have good without evil", and "Prophets are still just men speaking as men some times". Gaslighting at it's finest. I love MS, and happy to find your channel which takes a more fiery approach. We need both of these types of discussions in this space.
Agreed. As painful as this episode was for everyone, I can honestly say that it was my breaking point for not being able to associate myself with this culture anymore.
I love how you flipped the starfish analogy. Like, what if the reason why the starfish are on the beach is because they are trying to escape a freshwater fish tank? And when you throw them into the ocean, you're actually just throwing them into a net to get taken back to the freshwater tank? So good. I am impressed that you came up with that while having to deal with all the emotions that come from being around a guy like that.
Thank you, Carah for breaking this down. It was probably taxing and very uncomfortable to process all this again. As someone who used to attend Rod's conferences, bought books , and wasted many brain cells trying to follow Rod's conclusions, I needed to hear this to help process my religious trauma. I'm nearly in tears at work. I need to turn it off so I can process this at a better time.
God bless you in your pursuit. One thingI found useful is I journaled all of my issues with the Church. After I got to approximately issue 150, I was able to say out loud that the Church is not true. This allowed me to emotionally deal with the Mormon fraud and abuse that had been part of my life. Very liberating.
Listening to this months after your interview but it strikes me that his repeating of the phrase “principles of truth” is one of Jodi Hildebrandt’s favorite phrases.
I have to admit my prejudice. I've watched a few of your vids and consistently judged you as the role you were playing. Humble apologies. Excellent reasoning ,logic and communication. Great job and I learned about myself too
This interview with Rod was SO hard to listen to. I wish, wish, wish that Rod understood consent and how his examples are NOT correct. I loved how you responded! You did an excellent job!
A lot of fundamentalists, not just Mormon ones, put sexual acts into two boxes - vanilla hetero sex after a marriage under God with the possibility of procreation, and one big box of everything else which they slap a “sexual sin” label on. What makes it wrong to them isn’t lack of consent, coercion, or physical or psychological harm, but because they consider it against God’s plan. From that perspective, everything in the “sexual sin” box is viewed as differing not in type but in degree. Unfortunately any attempt to argue it from the perspective of consent won’t get anywhere with them, because they are using a framework where morality is a top-down set of rules dictated by an external force, rather than a framework constructed from the bottom up based on empathy and looking at the real world harm and suffering an act causes.
@@Silkenray I just watched a video of a christian woman very seriously arguing that when a husband rapes his wife she did as much wrong as him because she should have never denied him his marital right to have sex with her whenever. I guess it`s some progress that she thinks the husband did also something wrong by being forceful. These people call themselves the moral ones.
Woaahh I didn't know about the Jen stuff, that's super disappointing. I remember feeling uncomfortable watching MSP when she'd just be constantly crying and triggered - I expect it sometimes, but not for the whole hour. She is way too brittle to be on that podcast, and I'm shocked she's pursuing a baseless lawsuit.. It doesn't sound like she has good mental health. Sometimes I think poor mental health and Mormonism go hand in hand and the people who work on taking care of themselves first end up better people in the long run. Good on you for prioritizing your mental health and walking away from the podcast ❤
I liked her. I thought she was good with SA victim stories. Crying made sense. I thought she was too sensitive on other episodes. She cried on episodes that weren't that emotional and didn't say much. I thought she would get better. She needs therapy. This lawsuit was ridiculous. From what she has shown, I can't imagine hiring her for a job. Eta I don't think I could work for him. He is way too intense work wise me.
I really like John D so when I heard about Jen’s lawsuit I was so sad, just assuming that he probably is a monster behind closed doors (lots of men in my life have made me jump to that conclusion). So I’m really really happy to hear that it wasn’t what Jen painted it to be.
Yeah and that’s understandable, but let me add this in since that is kinda common if you’re not able to catch yourself. Funnily enough, if you go to Mormon discussions RU-vid and watch the board meeting after Jenn accused John of fighting with her being aggressive and threatening and the video that was pulled from the cameras shows the opposite, she admits to the board when she’s caught lying that she was just frustrated and projected onto John memories of a past bad boss and confused the two. Then still went forward with a lawsuit based on that. Bonkers.
Huge fan. As a person who was a 6th generation mormon, who walked himself out of a conditioned delusion, the only athiest in an entire family of tbms, who has been speaking up for actual truth and shamed constantly by family and everyone around me, I applaud you for the work you're doing. I don't reach people like you do, but I've been trying. Pretty much I just get shamed into oblivion, but shaming language doesn't have any effect on me when coming from irrational people. Keep growing. Keep going. Keep up the good work.
Carah, I just watched this video even though you made it a year ago. I loved it when you were on MS! I was glad to finally hear how it all down when you left. As this video progressed, I was so frustrated with what Rod Meldrum was saying! I was sure that at the end you were going to say that you left because you didn’t want to deal with people like him anymore. The story took a turn when you said it was because you felt like the trust was broken during this episode between you & John. But I do understand where you were coming from & I thought you handled the interview really well when you had the stressors of listening to the crap Rod was dishing out & having the issue with John during it! I love how honest & genuine you are! You have really helped me during a difficult time in my life! You have a great perspective about the church’s deceptive practices. I love your sense of humor about it all! I want to get there!
As a never mo, it's even hard to believe all you read in the old, and new testament as factual. Not sure I could include all the issues that mormonism brings. You have grown on me, Carah. Thank you for your insight. Glad it's all working out.
I love your dedication to finding the truth and calling out those who deny it. Also, sounds like Jen hasn’t embraced that same need for truth, but decided to impersonate those deniers at some point along the way. Sad /s
Hey, Carah (changed to spell it correctly :) ). Rod's interview was tough, period. I listened because I have an open thought policy for myself, but it was rough. That's for sure.
I think there are people on both sides (devoutly religious, atheist, post-mormon etc.) who can be hard-headed and stuck in their own positions. Change is hard. When I watched the full Rod Meldrum interview on Mormon Stories, I really felt that Rod was unwell, almost like a child who doesn't understand alternative evidence or points of view. I think he says a lot of things that people want to hear and is therefore successful, but there was a definite lack of awareness, empathy and curiosity. Patrick Mason's interview on the other hand, felt like a growing experience for both him and John where both kept their core beliefs. Rod's point of view felt pretty stagnant and unchanging. I felt bad for Carah since she tried so hard to use logic with him with little success. However, she did push Rod to reveal his true points of view which was shocking and important to expose.
I respect John, but this was rough. At points it did feel like he was talking over Kara, not because he doesn't respect Kara but because that discussion was so chaotic. John and Kara should have never interviewed this guy. There's a difference between listening to a counter argument and giving a zealot a platform to say awful things. Having said that, I really do think Kara and John did the best that they could. I'm not sure how they held it down for so long without screaming or something.
Of course they should've had this interview. Not every interview is perfect. And you might as well bring crazy (Rod, Rob 🥴) to the party to remember how crazy the crazy is 😅🤣
Im glad to see some of these clips because I got so frustrated with him I turned it off the first time it was aired. I wasn't surprised that that was the last straw for you.
Your point about people wanting be in the know is spot on. It’s very solipsistic. I’d rather say I don’t know and get curious than say I have the answers and say thought-stopper platitudes about things I don’t know. And no one has the answer. I like what Gertrude Stein said: There ain't gonna be any answer. There never has been an answer. That's the answer.” So I’m wary of anyone who says they have the answer coz there isn’t one. But there IS science, curiosity, and intellect so we can learn and grow ❤
The way he says “okay” after every sentence triggers me. I don’t have any evidence to support this, but I feel like it’s some sort of manipulation or control mechanism that debaters like to employ to suggest that what they just said was to be taken as fact and beyond scrutiny. People who use a lot of strawman arguments tend to do it. Most of them are far right conservatives. In my experience.
I never knew about the SEC letter that the leaders have always known. That has shaken my faith a lot. I haven't talked to any members about my douts. The things I do know are that I love God and Jesus. They are the ones I need and I'm going g to follow them. I don't think I trust any church right now.
So I listened to that podcast, super hard listen. I'm only at your first clip. You say this is your breaking point and it is so clear how emotionally exhausted you are in this moment and it is not just your face. The way you have your hand on your neck is a classic comfort signal in times of stress. I am so familiar with that reflex.
I adore you! I live in Idaho, and I have had to endure living amongst right wing, fascist “Latter Day Saints” my whole life. I have been treated differently because I have never been a member of the church. Well, I take that back, one time I worked for a doctor in a private practice and was pressured in to getting baptized. I buckled under the pressure and did it. Suddenly I was a human to the doctor and he began to speak to me when I asked him questions. My black daughter was suddenly accepted too. I quit the practice after 4 years and never returned to the cult. I have remained sane by remembering something my dad told me which was “ Only a crazy man argues with a horses ass”.
I could not finish the episodes with Rod. Besides his BS, he gave me major bad vibes. I can't imagine being around him in person- it must have been very taxing emotionally. Like his condescending laugh actually gave me a weird sick feeling. Something very wrong there.
I wrote this poem about a group I belonged too. I was shunned due to my beliefs broadening. " The Dogmatic choir... spits up phlegm of their simpleton ways The laughter is loud... of the broad and wise" Thank you for bringing an educated light to the forefront!
This video was obviously very important to you; and, it was important that you were accurate and on point. Given the topic, it was (I believe) important to you to be sure that what you were addressing was done so thoughtfully; and, I can tell this by how aggressively you edited the video. Given the topic, I felt it would be a disservice to you not to listen to the entire video without skipping anything so that I don't take you out of context. I found, however, that the severe editing was distracting and potentially appearing to be disingenuous. I have come to have a lot of respect for John, because of his education, for his passionate advocacy for those who are abused, disregarded and disrespected and lastly, his longevity on the platform. But even the big can fall so if there was some truth about John that needed to be revealed, I am open to hearing about it; BUT, I wanna be sure I first, get it right, then, be sure that the information is fair. OK, I think I see the problem: Whomever put this interview together (who scheduled it, who decided on the format, how it would be structured and who would be involved, did not give proper consideration for how it was likely to go, given the absolute ignorance this guest would promote. It was no mystery how this guest was going to behave, what he was going to proffer, and given the guest's lack of knowledge and sophistication, two on one was not going to yield best results and "gotcha" only works when the questions can lead the interviewee to the desired conclusion (impossible to do when you have two people trying to lead the interviewee down two separate, yet nearly identical paths). Additionally, he wasn't sophisticated enough to answer the questions thoughtfully, too ..(ist) to be palatable, and, too sleazy and slippery to be kept honest. The interview was poorly designed and should have been one with one interviewer. I am sorry that the result of the interview (that didn't really have the best chance at succeeding) was that there was a breakdown of the relationship between all of the people involved. I'm sorry tat the trauma caused by the Church is still so raw that it has had this affect on your career. I think perhaps this video was not the best choice; but, far be it for me to suppress anyone's speech. I think the first and WORST problem that this POS guest was even given ANY AIR in pubic, let alone on such a respected channel. Final decision: not the BEST choice of video; but, given the obvious effect that religious trauma has had on you, it's understandable. Best of luck in your future an I hope that you don't look back on this video and wish you hadn't made it.
Carah: trigger warning I am going to play the clip of Rod saying the things... Me, a lesbian: this guy's gonna call gay people p*dophiles *5 minutes later* I am a genius
I thought you and John both had great points in this interview. You both have different styles, which can be very complimentary at times, and at times seemed to get in the way for you both. You both have wonderful insights and voices to add to many important conversations! I will say though, I loved when you interrupted Rod to tell him his examples were hyperbolic and unproductive. You're quick and really funny. I'm glad John and you are both alright. I also honestly hope Jen can face her mistakes and heal as well.
I am not LDS or exLDS, just found MS while playing in rabbit hole and now I’m here. His reaction in the first clip, looking to John while trying to procrastinate in answering, says it all for me. He wanted John to step in and “correct” you for that question. He thought you were out of line and wanted the other man, who Rod sees as your superior, to dismiss your voice. Good job on pushing him to answer.
Thanks Carah, for setting the record straight. I’ve been friends with John for 15 years. I know he’s not all the things he’s accused of being. I read Jenn the second time she cried. The first time was touching, after that I kept talking back and saying “It’s not your Mormon Story, you’re supposed to be the co-host, not the venue for you to process your journey. Do your own MS.” She wasn’t ready to be behind a mic, still processing too much and not knowledgeable enough. I’d heard about the insurance thing. Thanks for putting it out there.
My god, as an archaeologist and person with a deep love for others I’m so frustrated by Rod’s ridiculous claims. I started listening to this interview as it was live streamed but I couldn’t stomach it and stopped. Props to you Carah. 💕 love your logic and voice of reasoning
I love a comment on a Rod Meldrum video that starts with someone announcing they ACTUALLY know what they’re talking about hehe… And thanks Paige ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I listened to all 13 hours (?). At first it was because i just couldn’t believe the nonsensical bile he was vomiting up, then it became an act of will, sort of a ‘Meldrum won’t break me’ thing. Probably the most masochistic thing I’ve ever done.
I had to take a break from religion-related RU-vid for over a month and when I came back Carah was gone from Mormon Stories. Watching this and realizing this was the last interview I was watching before taking my break, I realize now that this interview was my breaking point. To know there are people with venomous beliefs in the world is one thing, to sit and voluntarily listen to RM's venom and then to realize once again how much destruction they are causing was too much for me.
Thanks for responding to the Jen stuff. I watched her whole video, and as someone that’s lived in the HR world for a long time, it felt mostly like a nothingburger. Yet still I was a little worried that John was yet another predator, which would be so disappointing. Jen does not seem calculating to me, she seems like a person with no professional experience that is extremely sensitive and is having a rude awakening to what most work environments/ working outside the home consists of. Especially the financial part…from her description it sounded like she was being paid GENEROUSLY for having almost zero work experience. It is not unexpected that you would make significantly more considering the social media following and expertise that you brought. Also not surprising that Margie made $1k per episode considering she is practically a founding member (similar to John) and very well liked by the audience.
$1000 episode sounds like a lot to me. How many do they do ? 2 a week? Lot of money for nonprofit. Personally, I liked Carah more or even Gerardo. Did they make $1000 an episode. I am around JD age but liked having a younger cohost for different perspectives. Also, when Jenn complained about how much she made, I thought she was making pretty good money. Maybe more work than she thought or capable.
I don’t think I’ve seen someone face plant so hard into the point and still miss it than Rod did with the treasure digging and why Joseph wouldn’t just “get the treasure himself.”
Talking with my family members about Joseph’s treasure digging they all did the same exact thing and it just destroys me how they’re unable to see the ridiculosity
Carah, you have passionate, reasoned positions about the LDS church & its culture. John D promotes a reasoned, calm dispassionate approach. Your style leans to standup humor one liners. Both are valid styles, but you can see how these will inevitably clash in their goals. Pusuing your own platform & other partnerships is best route to your goal. No brakes, no worry about harming the MS brand. Your message resonates better on its own & with John Larsen, BR, RFM now. No shade on MS or JD. Love you. P.S. Don't ever expect solid logic from fundamentalists. It's a con upon con.
This, 100% Carah has spice, and John is so reserved! Like you said, nothing wrong with either approach, and it sounds like this was a long time coming for Carah. I'm totally rooting for her.
I would agree with this. I think your style is more effective as a single. I do want to say that I have appreciated your work, John's work and your work together. You both have provided incredible places for questioners, for those who have needed to walk away from the Mormon tradition and for those who have needed healing coming out of their choice to leave the church. P.S. Just as evidence of the range of your audience (& John's), I'm a progressive (Episcopalian) Christian & committed to my walk of faith. I have no issues with walking with others who feel differently... most of my friends do!
Totally agree. And yes to that last bit. Don’t expect logic from fundies. This has helped me stop being frustrated with my fundie family. They are delusional and no amount of facts or logic will change that. In fact, the more you use facts and logic, the more they believe you have sold out to Satan. Better to keep your peace and use your energy elsewhere.
Who is RMF? I have listened to way too many Mormon Stories for a neverMo this past week. And i have heard those initials so much and just decided to ask. As an Episcopalian whose first gen Episcopalian after several generations of Church of God (COG) and yes, like the movie Salvation on Sand Mountain…or Gadsden AL for my family) so I was told by my COG cousins that i was going to hell for being an Episcopalian as a kid. I hear some stuff from some of my relatives and …maybe i am watching these stories to get some perspective.
Yeah, Rod's interview is one of maybe like 5 or so I've just skipped right over (in almost 10 years of listening/watching Mormon Stories) after getting about 30 -45 mins in. Can't blame you at all for nope-ing out after that. Wanting to support/keep you on there was what finally made me start donating a tiny bit to Mormon Stories, but it's definitely obvious to see, now that you're gone, how much your styles clash too much to be there full time. glad you get to fully shine on your own now, while still being on Mormon Stories every once in a while.
I was friends with one of Rod Meldrums daughters in college. Nice girls, both of them... but one conversation with her really stuck out to me. I asked her out once, and she told me we weren't a good fit because I was "too open-minded" for her... lol. I'm grateful because it helped me realize, all the time growing up in church I wasn't necessarily the problem. I was just too open-minded for my environment. Thanks again to her for this realization.
Geez. I can't imagine my breaking point at a job being livestreamed... you handled yourself so impressively, I couldn't have done a quarter of what you did in that podcast. love hearing your thoughts after the fact, I think its a really interesting way to be introspective, thanks for sharing :)
You are wrong. Many pedophiles don't molest children and not all child molesters are pedophiles. Pedophilia is not a fetish. It is a psychological disorder. And people are suffering from it. Pedophiles that do not molest children deserve our compassion, they are not creeps. Child molesters on the other hand, pedophiles or not ... total creeps. I am with you there.
@@anguishedcarpet what does that even mean? How do you apply compassion and pragmatically at that? Can you give me an example of a pragmatic application of compassion? Also, what do you suggest our attitude towards people suffering from pedophilia should be?
I am just happy that John and you were able to re-establish your friendship and capacity to work together. That guy will fray the nerves of anyone, and you were trying to do the impossible interview.
22:34 man you absolutely nailed it. I’ve been trying to articulate this for so long. Religious belief is a value system that prioritizes ignoring physical evidence in favor of strongly held belief. The less evidence there is to support a belief, the more aggressively a believer must assert their evidence-less stance which the religion then values as being more and more righteous the more irrational you get. Believers are rewarded by their religion based on how aggressively they are willing to ignore demonstrable facts and evidence against their belief system. Willful and intentional ignorance is morphed into piety and held as a desirable goal. Madness.
You have one of the best noses I've ever seen. I don't get the rude comments & I hope they NEVER make you think you need to change it. It's not the cookie-cutter plastic surgery noses & you have very symmetrical facial features that balance it perfectly. You are a brilliant, BRILLIANT mind & are one of the rare lucky ones that hit the jackpot with brains & beauty plus the ability to be great at public speaking & communication. Carah the super star.
My wife is self-conscious because she feels her nose is too short. People say that my nose is small for my ethnic background. Point being, your nose is just what it is and great the way it is and rhinoplasty is not the answer.
John is old school and that isn't always a bad thing of his generation , women don't have potty mouths and men also don't make vulgar comments like Trump . Nobody's perfect but I get the impression John sometimes is mortified because it's how gentlemen behave and sometimes it's hard to adjust to someone young enough to be his daughter, but he's trying and ultimately you see that and try really hard to bite your tongue that doesn't mean it's not super stressful for BOTH of you.
What about when LDS talks.about sewing instead of Joseph Smith? Or they grab my hand and place a small bottle of vanilla and say it is alcohol? Weirdos.
@@ruthrodriguez7694 How does that conversation go?... Have you heard about Joey Baloney's 35 wives? No, but by the way, I just got a new sewing machine. You have got to see it!
@@judioak Yea, and why we need to know the truth of the Bible and Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross. If you can't comprehend that, it opens doors for beliefs such as lds and Muslims. One denies the father as he is in denying him as having a son, and the other denies the father as a spirit and is once a man who was exalted like Jesus, which leads both to blind error and lacks the trust, faithfulness of Christ's teachings in its fulness. It is the reason there appears to be so many religions and confusion when belief in Jesus Christ's finished works IS the only way that will bring forth eternal life.
@judioak Nobody is perfect? He was as far from perfect as you can be without actually killing someone. He was a conman that took advantage of his position to marry dozens of women, several of which were already married to men that he sent off. He took minors as brides, using spiritual blackmail. He's not just not perfect "if the stories are true", which they are, he was an evil man.
First, I don't know John, so my opinion is based on the evidence I have - the pleadings in both lawsuits and the RU-vid videos - as well as my experience as an employment lawyer, both representing companies and representing employees. My read on John is that he makes decisions based on emotions and a desire to be a good person instead of based on avoiding liability. In doing so, he opens himself up to liability. (Duh.) If John was looking to avoid legal liability, he never would have hired anyone who was a fan of his podcast. And he never would have asked Carah to keep hosting after that interview. And, most importantly, he would never, ever, have a meeting with a disgruntled employee alone. But I do think John tries to be a good person and give people second chances, etc. And for better or for worse, our legal system does not encourage nor reward said behavior.
Carah you are a natural Podcaster! You have the balance of intuition, instinct, smarts, heart and humor that I for one appreciate. I have a Judas in my actual family and she tried to sue me... most eye-opening and surreal thing ever. This too shall pass and you will have gained an even wider perspective of both how awesome and how horrible people can be.
@@CarahBurrell oh my gosh, talking with my family they all brought up lamb to the slaughter and that he knew he was going to die. And just completely ignored my points that he died for lying to hide his polygamy.
when I was on my mission, this elderly couple in a ward had Rob's DNA dvd, it was interesting to me at the time since I was so young, fast forward 15 years, and I couldn't finish the interview after an hour of listening, he is stuck in his ways, unfortunately he will continue being popular to many elderly TBM's because he affirms their religious bias despite the church's own gospel topics essays.
I think it is hilarious how religious people, especially those in religions that are a little closer to the culty side of the spectrum, not only have a whole extra vocabulary but also use that vocabulary in such a deep seeming way, when in reality, it's just gobblty goop. The fruits, the fruits. I am sure it was originally used as metaphor, but at some point, it transitions to being used as the actual thing, and it just sounds crazy. Scientologist are rife with this, because their profit was a professional writer, and he went ham with it. Not to say the mainstream religions don't also do this, maybe it is less crazy sounding because it has a longer time to seep into mainstream language.
When you said what you said to john i literally LOL'd and almost practically spit up my drink. This whole segment did. I didn't take it in the worst possible way. It was clear you two respect each other. This was a tough interview and all I could do was laugh at how stupid you made rod look and how embarrassed i felt for him. You guys killed it. Love seeing your stuff no matter what show etc.
Rod is living in a bubble. He has looked at any evidence that contradicts his theories regarding Book of Mormon geography. The interview was painful to watch since there are some members like that who have tunnel vision.
It’s…wild that your parents could listen to this, and feel anything but understanding and pride. (In you, not this joker) I don’t know if you address their reaction to this later in the video, but I’m assuming it was disappointing- and they’re wrong for that. Helps just to hear, sometimes.
I tried to watch that interview and I couldn't stand it. Thank you for doing this breakdown. I know how hard it is to cull footage and edit something that was horribly uncomfortable when you lived it the first time. He is so much more offensive than the bits I remember.
I'm a Bisexual man, I was raised in the church. The star fish in fresh water analogy really describes what I felt my entire adolescence. I'm greatful people like you are out there just informing people. The more kids who get to live the life they want to live, the better.
Thanks for coming out and talking about this Carah! I apprecate your work both inside and outside of Mormon Stories. Bill Reel's work and thinking style really speaks to me also so I love hearing your thoughts!
Wow! His comparison of two adults loving each other being the same as abusing innocent children and animals makes me crazy. He’s gaslighting so bad to avoid a reasonable argument.
I appreciate you Carah! I didn’t even try to watch Rob when he was on MS. I knew I would get frustrated and my blood pressure would blow and was even afraid my brain might explode!🤯 Too risky for my physical and mental health. I don’t know how you do it but I’m so glad you do- you keep your head, you keep it together and you articulate so well the inanity and insanity of Mormon apologetics. In my book that’s a super power! Keep up the great work. I miss you on MS! Look forward to seeing you with JL soon.
I tried but didn't make it very far. Every time he said 'truth' I added "TM patent pending" to that for him. His ideas of truth take a lot of really creative thinking.
Awesome analysis as always Carah - thankyou for continuing to contribute so much valuable insight and perspective to our community. I realise it comes at a high cost personally as it does for all of us wading through this stuff and making podcast content, so I just want to thank you for giving us this generous gift. It is deeply appreciated. You absolutely rocked it in this interview. I'm just sorry the third episode we were promised when scientists would eviscerate Rod after playing nicely with him for 2 episodes never happened - perhaps one day it will. But you did a valient job already giving him space to hang himself with his own words and challenging his irrational nonsense. You made some history.
This was an incredible interview. As a Mexican American female, my Jaw dropped that this guy had the nerve to say some of the things he said! You handled it incredibly well! I would have gone off on him with the racist stuff and how he justified it.
My observation - Rod is creepily caught up in staying prominent and in control. Even when his close minded views are hurtful and unkind. Very unchristian
I watched the first two parts of this interview and had to stop. His defense of slavery ("They had free room and board, and most were treated well") and Mormon leaders marrying children ("if you were an unmarried 16 year old girl, you were an old maid.....getting married at 14 back then was normal") were too much. And there was just so much more bullshit. I don't know how you and John held it together.
There are so many layers to Mormonism and when families have lived it and believed it for generations, it’s hard to expose the pain it can bring. Best wishes for you and your podcast. I can just tell you I appreciate your comments and still struggle wishing thing were as I once believed.
I didn’t watch this guy all the way through but I got enough to see that he was extremely dogmatic. I judged him to be the kind of fanatic that Chris Hedges wrote about in his book “American Fascists”. He lays out his case that these extreme evangelical types are fascists. I got an inkling of how many in the mormon church were actually open to extremism when I heard so many people talking up the books of Cleon Skousen. Just like this guy being interviewed, I only took a perfunctory look at Skousen’s work and just get very far into it. I couldn’t complete reading a book of his because it just looked like whackadoodle ranting to me. He is very popular however and his family has made an industry out of promoting his work. Going back to Chis Hedges, he has a degree in divinity so he knows quite a bit about the Bible. Christian evangelicals can’t debate him on the Bible because generally they haven’t actually studied it. This fascist movement is about something else. Arguing with them is fruitless and I can sympathize that you just blew a gasket over having to spend hours talking to this clown. Chris Hedges spent years talking to and going to meetings with these evangelical radical types. He did not settle on labeling them as fascists in a flip decision. He makes a case for them as being actual modern day fascists. This is not a benign movement of people searching for truth. This is a movement that seeks to divide people from one another and let’s remember what Goebbels has been attributed saying. Whether he really said it or not, it does seem to be a solid principle of propaganda, which as a side note was invented by Freud’s nephew Edward Bernays. It goes like this. “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” This strain of mormonism has consequences for the entire society because they want to take over the state. Of course they’ve already taken over the state of Utah but think bigger. They want to take over the world and we all know what happened the last time that fascists attempted world domination. You have explained why this clown made you a bit apoplectic and I sympathize for maybe a different reason than you do. I see him as a fascist. I don’t know how to talk to such fanatics because logic and facts get you nowhere.
Yup! As long as the money is donated into the specific fund by viewers for John Larsen episodes, we can keep doing them!! They are always the highlight of my month!
1:10:10 Joseph Smith talked rich members into building Him The Mansion House. He was married to 30 plus women and probably having intimate relations with more than a few. He was Prophet…Mayor…Justice of the Peace…Editor…General…. He had a Life of Privilege and Power and Gratification. Very similar to Jim Jones down in Ghiana
I've done some digging .unless you can find some historical sources everything pro morman apologics and antis say is just hersay. if you don't have historical evidence or primary ans secondary sources then I won't believe you.
Carah, I don't understand why you were engaging in an argument with this man when you knew he was rigid and unteachable... You yourself stated there is no 'winning' in a logical discussion with people like this, so it was pointless imho; sorry, but i think you came in too hot.
1:09:45 Joseph Smith did not want to die in Carthage Jail. He fired a repeating pistol into the Mob. He fought the Mob until they overwhelmed the Four there
Carah I so appreciate this video. I understand and support your decision and also don’t think John is a bad dude. I also know I couldn’t work for him but that’s my issue. We’re all human. That Rod interview pushed me over the edge as a viewer. Must have been intense in person. I have to be honest and say I wasn’t so sure about you because I’m older and I felt some shade when you ere on MS. But I’m over it. I respect you and you’ve earned my trust.
You're wrong about the LDS church not giving black people the priesthood till the 70's. They didn't give black _men_ the priesthood till then. Black women are still not allowed to be priesthood holders.
Karah. Thank you for this video. I remember watching that Meldrum interview with horror. Actually I was so frustrated for you I cried mad tears. I like you with RFM a lot. your humor is better matched.
This was so needed!! I admire your diplomatic approach sprinkled w classic NH remarks. 🤣😜 You’re the best. Seriously tho….I just couldn’t get down with her recent 💩. I can see clearly now…🎵❤️💪🏼
Bingeing lots of your content this week and I've just started this one, but just to say: your nose is wonderful. ) Definitely an excellent and high-quality nose.
Carah, my issue is with Meldrum and others who voice their disagreement stated as an ABSOLUTE. We need to watch for always, everyone, never, all the other terms which imply there is only one answer and that EVERYONE agrees. 100% agreement within a group is irrational.
The funny thing is that Mormonism is basically 1830’s scriptural sci-fi… but then they cling to the old doctrines that were progressive for their time , and as the science advances past the conjecture where Joseph’s doctrine came from, it becomes heresy.
I see how it would be difficult to work for john. he is dedicated to his cause and might expect the same from you, when it's not your baby , not your choices , not your freedom. therefore you are in beetween 2 situations where you want it to be just a job but you are expected to do it with the same passion as if it was your own podcast . doesn't make him an abuser.
There are more people who share his views in the church than I think we know... Of all ages. It's actually really concerning because we see their influence in government rn.
