My take on Mormon Stories "Transparency Update" 

I was talking about you. Was afraid you would feel like I was calling you out!!!

He is the soft, gentle landing for the panicked, and you're the laid back party wine aunt for once the panic is over ;)

What John does is important but he (or anyone) can stop anytime he/she needs to for his/her own personal health. Hopefully other people will embrace the longer interview formal.

As a never Mormon, I have to ask myself why I keep going back to Mormon Stories year after year, but even more, why do I keep expanding the list of exmos I have to keep up with. As an ex-Catholic, I understand that we take some very good things from our upbringings, even though the churches themselves are built on fairy tales. I come back because I find people who are genuine, giving, compassionate - and passionate about life and living. Truth-seeking, love, humor - who doesn't need more of that in their life? This to say, thank you.

The Meldrum interview messed with my head because I have relatives like him. I know I would be healthier if I didn't immerse myself in the post-Mormon thing but I really have issues with new babies being born into the family being raised with the same lies as their grandparents and great grandparents. I enjoy you and John, separately. I think you is Alpha-peeps! 😁💕

Carah, You are great. I appreciate hearing your take on John's video - gives us all more perspective. I loved you on Mormon Stories, but I totally see how it held you back from being totally authentic. As for Mormon Stories in general, I love the long form interviews and hearing about everyone's journeys. I also love any "current events" updates. I am a never-Mormon, just fascinated by cults and the process of indoctrination and deconstruction. Feel like the more I educate myself, the less likely I will succumb.

Joseph Smith was a 19th century version of L. Ron Hubbard.

Carah, you are truly a friend in this community, I am amazed at the work you are putting in this space!

I appreciate all you and John do. I’ve been out of the cult for 40 years and only because of you guys do I feel at peace. My shelf broke while serving a mission and have felt ostracized and alone until I discovered you guys.!Thank you!

You said enough. It's not my business why you left MS. Other people redirect their lives every day and you can too.

Carah your succulent on the windowsill isn’t getting enough sunlight that’s why it’s stretching out

TBM husband had a melt down when he saw my iPad screen as I listened to an MS podcast, he threatened to move out. I was strong, my thoughts didn’t escape out of my word hole (great honey! I’ll help you pack).

I had to listen the the meldrom episode on 2x and I STILL couldn't finish. I cannot imagine sitting through it in real time

200k is barely scraping by in Utah! It does sound like a lot, but it won't get you far in the land of dentists.

I love you and John and I was also very turned off by the name Nuancehoe! We are all in different places! Turns out I really enjoy your perspective 🙂 TBH, I am still turned off by f-bombs. Have a great day Carah!

Meldrum on Mormon Stories was an absolute total waste of time and bandwidth and intelligence, energy and mentation. That won’t scare off any worthwhile guest or story worth worth interviewing. Good luck and best wishes, Carah.

The person sharing the story neeeeeeds the time the long format allows to be clearly understood. So many people don’t understand that active Mormonism is a lifestyle and thought process and your part time work and your talent honing duty. For real. A “low level” Mormon attends church 2-3 times weekly. That’s without Scouts or Youth or Homemaking or Visit Teaching or choir practice oooorrrrrr need I go on? It’s the core of who you are and it’s enmeshed in your every day. Molds your dreams and sets your perception of EVERY. DAMN. THING! It’s a damn process to unlearn life and how to live on your own thoughts. It’s crazy. Also…you’ll never find friends that put in what you do as a lifer. MORMON. WOMEN. SERVE. Your clarification is good and necessary. People and their assumptions need checked. Always. We ex Mormons haven’t been overcome by the shadow people, our moral compass hasn’t wavered…..just our ability to ignore free and critical thinking. We remain good humans. Good to see your face sister. 😜 Be well. ❤️✌🏼🏡💪🏼

As I watched John’s recent transparency video, I assumed this was mainly about you and hoped and prayed you guys are still friends and that this will never change. I love and respect you BOTH!

Off topic, but your hair is so freaking beautiful!

I miss you on Mormon Stories. I loved your sarcasm and humor.

Carah, I love to hear your takes on Mormonism as a former Catholic who went through a faith crisis. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you say anything very out of turn (not that I’ve seen it all). Sometimes when you say things or ask questions plainly, people find it flippant. That’s their opinion and you happen to have a different style of discussion. That shouldn’t be something that causes bridges to be burned. You speak from the heart and you’re funny! Keep up the good work!

Oh my word - I'm a never-mo but my husband is into making short films as a hobby, and I TOTALLY get what you're saying about the technical side of things. It constantly amazes me how undeveloped film and audio tech is before it is released to the market, and how hard it is to get some items when they break-down. LOL - that alone is enough to deal with, never mind the intensity of having to deal with leaving a high-demand religion and all the other things that go with creating content, doing the marketing and so on. Hats off to you all.

The Meldum episodes were horrendous. I had to stop listening. It was hard for me to process the fact that he was allowed to spew his unfounded “truth”.

I always enjoyed you on Mormon Stories and was SO sad to that you left, but its completely understandable. No one can really understand until they have walked in your or John's shoes, I think. I just wish you were able to not beat yourselves up all the time just because some of the listeners are still rooted in their past and can't move forward without criticising all the time. But then, I am not a Mormon never have been. But I spend hours and hours listening to people's stories of leaving cults/high control religions because of where I live. It's a centre for these religions, there's a Mormon temple nearby, Saint Hill Manor is just up the road, JWs are here... its a mecca. And I want to understand the people I live with. Anyway, power to you. X 💚

I started listening to this during the live stream but work go in the way of me finishing then. So, now I've been able to finish and I want to share how much MS has helped in my gaining a significantly clearer picture of the LDS Church. I also, enjoy and look forward to your thoughts, jokes, and insights. I am especially appreciative of your vulnerability within this space. It makes it very real and genuine. Thanks!!

Doin’ it for the algorithm. :). J/k. You make me laugh, though I know this may have been a hard one to film.

I think John missed one of attributes needed: the ability to let criticism roll off. Skim them for reoccurring themes and delete them.

Crony Capitalism and Monopoly is oppressive. Competition is healthy...

Carah, you are doing a great job & your respect for John seems very real...

Nuancehoe, you should be in a Starbucks commercial targeted to Utah. That would be hilarious.

"Holding space" with empathy is so necessary, but I'm surprised you all don't melt down and burn out after every podcast. These sessions are so intense for us traumatized exmos, but after 35 years, I think I'm finally ready to start facing it more directly in my life rather than only in my art. And so here I am listening and venting in essential cathartic ways because of you and the other intrepid Mormon podcasters.

Carah, thank you. You are a beautiful person. ❤️❤️❤️

Shouldn't we stop lying to our kids in all aspects....santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy. All of these have to do with getting the behavior we want on false pretenses.

Being away from the children is a scar many of us have to bare, at least for a little while. Just make sure make it worth it, and never forget the little ones that will look you in the eye when you return. Much props to the husband as well.

I liked this video very much . I am a mormon stories lifer and say...keep on going more power to you and others doing this stuff. All the things gs I relate to on the caregiver issues....so hard....so unbelievably difficult...I have had 8 children one of whom is a total care disabled individual. I have worked outside the home to gain my sanity at times and went back and forth because of the toll it takes on everyone else. Good luck with this balancing act we call life...

1:32:19 Didn't catch the name of the book Carah recommended here. Anyone have that?

I thank you both for putting these videos out. I truly had no idea of what the church is really about even though i was born and raised in it. I am a daughter of mormon pioneers. The hardships they faced were unimaginable to me. Also, my great great grandfather was the first man arrested and imprisoned in SLC for practicing polygamy. My mother remained a devout member her entire life and was very disappointed that only 1 of the 11 of us stayed with the church. Her patriarchal blessing said she would not die. I held onto that, then I sat with her as she died. I have not been a practicing member for 40 years, but I still believed in my heart that my mother's beliefs were true. It's been over 3 years and my brother (who remained active) passed from cancer without reaching out to any family members. Shocking and sad really. I then stumbled onto a "mormon stories". It wasn't what I expected and I can't get enough. I've since ordered mormon history books and more. For the first time in my life, I no longer feel guilty. Quite the opposite, in fact. So thank you!!! I'm sure your attacked from all sides and that's very sad. But I just really want to THANK YOU❤❤❤!!! There are a lot of us out here that appreciate your value, insite and honesty.

I can never say enough, Carah. You are so amazing and I absolutely love love love LOVE everything you bring to the table. I love your content and grateful for all of you do. I hope you get the love/Patreon’s/credit you deserve.

I love the "nobody wins" rant. ...but then again, I love reading a Kurt Vonnegut novel 😀

The “eff it, we’re doing it live” quote is exactly what I say every time I press record. 😂

You’re the Swifty of Mormonism. Finding all those Easter eggs 🪺

Bravo and thanks for the update. I look forward to hearing your podcast with Aaron.

it's always a great day to not clean your kitchen

thanks so much . . . I miss you on MS, but I also applaud you for doing what is right for you . . .

I thought you were a good dimension / addition to the MSP but you described yourself as I saw you… “a bunch of bees buzzing in your head” I saw/see you as a snarky millennial that is/was needed in the MSP space… I support you as a content creator.

I think things have gotten busier on all the mormon blogs since this aired. Ballard, Hildebrandt, visions of glory 🤯

Rod Meldrum is a Nimrod. (only post-mos will get the name reference.) He's out of touch to the point, I think he's making it up as he goes along.

Your the real deal Carrah! You got game! Big John D. Same Way !!!

Could you and Leah Remini do a few episodes together? It was watching Going Clear that made me see the culty, abusive side of Mormonism. I thought you could be the Leah Remini of Mormonism. Love to you from a South African ex Mormon. 🇿🇦🍄💐 Thank you for explaining.

Loved you on MS and not that my opinion is at all relevant to you or your value as a intellectual, friend, daughter, wife mother but you and your nose are absolutely beautiful 💗💕

Thanks for sharing. I’m another never-Mo who listens to learn about people’s stories/experiences. The issues seen in the Mormon Church can and do exist elsewhere but maybe with just a different flavor. (Just saw a doc on Hulu about male teachers abusing teenage girls and man did the themes sound familiar- ala protect the org at the expense of the victims, victim blame, ….) Getting these stories told help us recognize the patterns and hopefully improve in the future. I love your dedication to being authentic! Read a couple comments about your ‘foul language’ and it made me chuckle a wee bit. I always found not swearing a bit silly. For example using the word “shoot” instead of “shit” - ummm the meaning is EXACTLY the same so why be offended by one & not the other? Say what you mean & be authentic and most people will be here for it. Wishing you much success.

Hey, Carah. You made a point in this video that the ex-Mormon audience is finite and has a lot of content creators. As a never-Mormon, the more I listen to you and John and Lauren, etc, the more I realize how STUNNINGLY huge the Mormon community's influence is on the lives of the rest of us. I am only now learning that the Mormon church is a huge source of the right wing nonsense that the rest of us are dealing with. From Roe to hatred of the LGBTQ community, to endemic racism, to hysteria about transgender people, to the overlap with Q due to the ingrained credulity the Mormon church instills in people. I could go on and on with examples of how Mormons are affecting policies and politics that affect MY life, thousands of miles and a world away from Mormon centers. And they have an outsized influence in the Senate and on the Electoral College because of the states most Mormons live in. The ex-Mormon space IS crowded, but it strikes me that there is an opportunity to inform the rest of us about the outsized influence the Mormon church has on lives of Americans who know nothing about Mormons or Mormonism. I don't know if it would increase your audience, but it's what keeps me coming back to this content. Edited to add: And Carah, don't listen to the haters. You are an objectively beautiful woman. I'm an old straight lady, so there is no agenda to that opinion. It's just true.

Sorry for commenting so early in the video, but I just felt like I needed to throw out my 2 cents on things. There are so many people to thank, I wish I could name them all. It’s something I am relatively new to , and when I’ve had questions or clarification etc. majority of people and places I have found the info have been amazing!!! Videos like these and the others you make, as well as other creators (sorry but I do need to give them a nod as well) are helpful in answering questions, bringing context to things and bringing new light to subjects I haven’t thought about or thought of in a different way. It’s nice to have a safe space. I didn’t know I needed it until I had it. So thank you. ❤

Started watching Mormon Stories, as my dad was stationed at Hill AFB in the 70's, and I had quite a few Mormon friends. I really, really miss seeing you on there! Glad I found you, and am now a subscriber!!! Love your wit and humor!

You're beautiful Carah!

My perception of John watching this is that he still spends a lot of time worrying what others think of him. I think he still has that feature of Mormonism where he’s trying to prove that he’s not the monster that his critics say he is. This is very different from a self-compassionate view of himself. I think because he has so much concern for how his videos are perceived and how he might be criticized, he definitely sacrifices authenticity for palatability with a wider audience. I think that’s triggering for a lot of us who have come out of the ex-mo process with authenticity as one of our new values

Always interested to hear what you have to say! A fun fact is that after years of seeking to confirm my faith complete with loads of unanswered prayers, actually what broke my shelf was a philosophy unit in my BYU-H history class 😂 I left the church quietly, without announcement, out of necessity as a student there. But have always been SO fascinated to encounter other ex-mormons over the years, especially those whom I knew earlier from high school. It fascinates me to hear their stories and learn I'm not the only one (plus there's always something funny about having a beer with an old buddy from Laurels class!). I am just 17 years later discovering this whole online community! So many of us! And people like you being vocal and sharing bold content! Wow. Makes me proud. Makes me think about all the things again that I hadn't thought much of for years, to find that in some ways my faith crisis trauma is still very present and raw. I'm listening to ex-mormon content 24/7 these past few weeks, fully absorbed and fascinated! Also, on your recommendation, I'm putting on the Interview With Native American Women episode of Mormon Stories next :)

Thank you for being true to you, Carah. I thoroughly enjoy your sassy sisterness!

I really appreciate this insight Carah, thank you

I just watched like 5 Mormon Stories videos and you were in all of them. Didn't know you left! What happened?

Lmao not gonna lie your monologue about the miserable Mormon leaders and a demented prophet is fucking hilarious and oddly comforting.. thanks carah!

Some of what has been expressed about the inner workings is a bit cryptic to me, but I'm glad you both do what you do. And I'm a nevermo ex-Catholic atheist/agnostic... I just like seeing people stand up to institutional bullies, particularly religious ones.

📕 What is the book you recommended towards the end of this video?

When you left Mormon Stories, I lost interest, but still respect John greatly--and all of you who do this intense work.

Love you Carah❤ I’d love to see more videos on Patreon, like cross posts of other vids. I like long videos, love the lives, talking a lot, talking fast, it’s fun following along your random side bars in stories. I have ADHD. Listening to you is calming, kinda meditative. I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. I’d always thought of myself as a splash thinker. Growing up I thought it was normal that some people think in a straight line, and others think in big colorful splashes, like me and sister. I’d forgotten about this childhood memory. It resurfaced when I was watching your shorts and TikTok’s

you are really doing great and from what I see and hear, you don't need fancy studio shit, i love it raw and real... and you are. Chthonic says "Fuk it up "!

Please keep your videos coming thanks from duff

I've been going through a lot of faith crisis during the last two years or so. I've finally decided to leave the church which has helped me a great deal. I've also found that it helps me to listen to these pod shows and hear others who go through what I I do or have gone through.

never tic toc 'd .... now I gotta go see them !!! Worlds awesomest mom in action !!

You are amazing

I love your tan and your wonderful nose.

If you were happier on TikTok just focus on your TikTok and don't be on Mormon Stories anymore

The Vape keeps me going to. Keep up the great work 👍 👏 💪

If john wrote a book, I'd buy it.

oh please. he's hardly a public figure.

I was noticing how beautiful the painting looks on and around windows . GREAT WORK LADY. YOUR A GREAT WOMAN.

Ex evangelical fundamentalist here. Your story has helped me realize that I was raised in a cult. The differences are there, but fundamentalism is fundamentalism. I appreciate your openess, honesty, and humor.

I'm glad there's no beef there.

John, likes , Caribbean Queen!!! Heck Yeah.

My whole large family is/was Mormon and I watch some of the ones that have left the church, or been kicked out, and some of them seem to be in such limbo. I feel very grounded now that I have joined a Christian church. My advice to you all is...don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

wonderful live stream thanks nuancehoe

I love you! ❤️

Got to say this is the first content I've ever seen of you that shows me you have a good sense of humor. I've never seen you be this funny before. To me you usually seem as sanctimonious as any Mormon. Sometimes the amount of anger I see from you towards the Mormon Church borders on being angry and pedantic. Of course most of the content I've seen is a lot newer than this one. Maybe it's all about timing?

I remember when I evolved past a religious organization and kept the good and realized, I choose it all! And then looked here and agreed that there's a whole lot of drummed up psychosis with the exmo community

You or me or someone should do a "Mystery Science Theater" type of channel for "Living Scriptures"... Imagine how many poor sods had that shit stuffed in their heads?? I was on the 2nd salesforce when the were just cassette tapes.... what a sick sordid story.... feel tainted forever

Enjoyed!

Is there a vision?? 🤔?? 🌴🥀🌴 - A Heavenly City!! A New JerUSAlem!! :)!! :)!!

House Husbands Rock.... love it.... House Husbands of the World Unite !!!! ✊

How DO you do video-in-video? I’ve been trying to figure it out & have watched tutorials but am still super confused.

Overall big kudos to all content providers shedding light on Mormon bogus truth claims!

My final analysis of this vid. You did absolutely perfect and awesome, and the rando family stuff , and "imperfect" whatever... absolutely amazing... every word and min of my time.... Well done, hope someday I can back it up with $$

Weed vape 💨 lol 😂. Let’s break the word of wisdom some time.

You way ROCK, BETTER than Mormon stories!!! we gotta have a Lets all vape and chat.

Like my Atheist friends say, Christians "Bring your A game!!""

do not let me be within arms length of anyone doing your really pretty nose and everything behind and inside in your realm, they may well find out why my high school nick name was "sicko" !!

I don't know of any workspace involving a large amount of people, that does not have a lot of backstabbing etc., although the fact that you are dealing with SO many damaged people adds a whole new dimension.

I miss you on MormonStories. I’m so glad I found this video a year later. ❤

I love your Beautiful Hair, Cara. You are very talented.

I'm sorry, the book is Inner what?

E A Koetting would be a cool Formon interview !!!!!