Please keep Geraldo. I think he is wonderful and an asset. I wish he was on more often. He is calm, brilliant and non judgemental regardless of the content.
Hey John, I got a random call from an old friend (TBM) last night who asked me if I had ever heard of the CES letter... I let him talk... In his words he explained that "his eyes had been opened." He talked about how "Mormon Stories" had made such a huge impact on his searching for answers. - John, keep going. You are helping so many people that need what Mormon Stories offers. I am speaking for myself and many, many others!
Never forget how many people you're helping. I don't say that as pressure to keep the pedal to the floor, I mean it's ok to relax and take care of yourself. You're doing great work (like you always have), don't worry about letting anyone down. We support you!
Well John, it goes to show how amazing and the leader that you are. NO ONE DOES IT LIKE YOU! You are a trailblazer. No one can or would be able to keep up with you.
John, breathe. You're talking so fast; your stress is obviously overwhelming; your poor adrenal glands must be constantly humming. Less content is OK -- most of us can't keep up with the amount you're putting out now, and you have made and are making an enormous impact on the lives of so many people. Take some serious time off, and make that a regular part of your life. You have more than earned a rest. I'm sending you a virtual hug. Breathe.
I'm the type of viewer who gets a little obsessive about trying to watch every video. Dropping the number of videos will actually be amazing for someone like me imo. I feel like I'm constantly getting further and further behind and the quality is always high, so it becomes a challenge to prioritize which videos I want to watch most. I think this change will allow me to get through some of the backlog and watch more of what's already been released. Glad you're taking care of yourself and your family!
You said it better than I did. Less is going to be easier for me too. I keep having to rush off, and feel I'm missing important information. Onward and upward!
You do you , John, you don't owe anyone anything. You've already blessed so many of us and if you keep access to old videos up it can continue to help others, if not then that's ok too. There's room for everyone and more are coming on board to do their thing. If you are burned out then give yourself the freedom to find your next joy. You are letting anyone down, how could you possibly with all you've done. You put your whole heart into this and have been successful. No matter what you decide to do, we support you!
As a non mormon who is interested in the psychology behind high demand religions I have enjoyed how thorough, raw and real your episodes are, and I echo what many comments have said: I find it overwhelming to keep up with the content. As a viewer, I need breaks because the content is so heavy, and when I see more content being released it's overwhelming to the point that I feel like giving up and not watching and not trying to keep up with new episodes. These are such important stories to tell and there are so many brave and wonderful people to hear from, but I feel I can only do 1 episode a week as having a break to process and reflect is necessary and helpful. Again, this is as a non mormon, so I can only imagine how it feels to come from a mormon background and process these stories. Love the podcast, keep up the good work.
I am a non mormon too , have been wondering why I am interested in these stories ? Now I know why, I am drawn to the physcology behind organised religion.
I often wonder how being on Mormon stories has impacted cohosts. Specifically Gerardo and his family (dad being a bishop and all). I do hope Jen and Gerardo stay on; as a Latina it was refreshing to see another Latino give their perspectives on various topics. His representation matters to me very much
I support the direction you seem to be moving. As a recent subscriber I have been super grateful for the light you have shed on years of questions that have gone unanswered inside the normal church sources. Thank you. Going forward, I plan to continue as well as add some form of monetary contribution as I think you have earned it. You add tremendous value to this community and for me personally. Moving to 2-3 episodes per week would not change my interest or commitment to follow what you do. Please take care of yourself and your family.
John, I don’t know how you do all you do, but I’m very grateful. As a donor and viewer, I have been very concerned about you; I sense your stress and anxiety so I’m relieved that you are going to take time to breathe and regroup. Your work with Mormon Stories is so vital and seems to become more essential with each passing year, so I am very happy you’re taking steps to make the future more sustainable and yourself and your family more healthy. ❤and respect to you and Margi. PS: I hope Gerardo can stay.
So much love for you John and Margi and all of you involved in the OS and MS podcast space❤️ Please take care of your health and sanity! That’s the most important thing
I was never a mormon. I have learned so much listening to the amazingly detailed podcasts on MS. John is the reason. He listens, carefully He guides the conversations, gracefully. He knows when to interject, professionally. I have learned so much about human connections as I am blessed to listen to all those who have come here to share.... and how to be a better and informed listener. Thank you.
I’m so glad for you to reclaim some of your life, your time, some mental space. I hope taking time ongoingly to rejuvenate spiritually and emotionally will help calm some of the trauma and bring some peace of mind to you, your family, the foundation board and other co-workers. L’chaim, as my now mostly deceased relatives would have said: TO LIFE!
Thanks, John, really. I appreciate this podcast. Openness and transparency are huge, in this space. Thanks for the update, and thanks for the honesty. Thanks for NOT quitting. You do a great job; thanks to you and your family... keep up the great work. marcus
Thank you so much for the work you do John Dehlin. I watch every day and night after work. I don't know where I'd be without your podcast. It means so much to me. I can't get enough of your work. I wish I was in Utah, so I could personally receive counsel from you. Thank you for everything you do!! You are wonderful!! I love you and the hard work you do.
Personally, just listening to this exhausted me. And I feel overwhelmed by the amount of content that comes out because there's no way I can listen to or watch it all so if there's only one or two week, I won't feel like I'm missing out on so much. It sounds like you are wired differently, but for me I'd be thrilled if success grew but would not at allllllll want to invest MORE time and effort after that point because a goal for me personally would be to NOT have to work as hard in the future. You put in all those years and built it up, you do amazing interviews and I learn so much. Now go ressssssssssst.
John, you can't wear every hat without burning out. Learning to delegate, and trust those you delegate to, is vital to your wellbeing and the future success of the organisation and the podcast. Personnel Management is an important component of corporate success. You need to step out of that role for the sake of your employees. You can't control everything. I'm concerned that appointing Margie to co-host could open you to accusations of nepotism. Ask yourself "if I'm knocked down & killed by a bus tomorrow, can the organisation carry on relatively seamlessly?" I think you'll find your answer there. You've done a wonderful job in growing your enterprise and helping those who have had major barriers to overcome.
Expanding and growing doesn't always mean pushing out more content - sometimes that means taking that success for what it is and using it to improve the quality of living for everyone involved. Just ride with the momentum for a while, and take this time to really step back, recoup, and nail down a solid routine that works for everyone. You push out A LOT of content already, so I really think this could be a situation where less is more. It's hard to find time to watch everything you put out in addition to other content I want to watch - not to mention that your content gets HEAVY and sometimes we the viewer need a break from it as much as you do. I think 1 or 2 videos a week are far more than enough given what you do. As a recent subscriber and a never-mo, I want to thank you for all you do. I think the quality of your content is great and I'm saddened to hear you are going to be reducing your co-hosts as I think they are an important factor to that quality. Ultimately, I know I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but I think people like Jen and Gerardo really add to the quality as they provide so many new questions and comments through the lens of their own lived experiences. Given what you shared with us, it seems an odd lesson to have taken from hearing others say you are doing too much. I am definitely going to continue listening, and I hope you are able to make changes and decisions that benefit you, your family and everyone involved.
You are awesome, John. Your dedication to being transparent and authentic is one reason I enjoy watching all your videos. It sounds like you are listening to your loved ones and are making the changes required for yourself and others. Thank you for sharing as you do. I hope these changes bring you the restful sleep you so need and deserve! Thank you for everything.
Wow, gotta say. For a transparent video, I feel more confused! I get the feeling things are changing, and I can’t help but feel sad. I feel like from the viewer’s point if it’s not broken don’t fix it. I understand there’s a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that we don’t see. It just seems like while it’s there, get it! The growth is phenomenal…but not permanent. Get it while the getting is good. I just can’t help but see it from the viewer’s POV, as that is all I have. I know I look forward each day to what you have posted and I enjoy the cohosts and guests. (Of course we wonder why they come and go, but that part is really none of our business.) Will stay subscribed, will see what the changes bring! Hope your health and sleep improve, John.
You are vulnerable and exposed it. Tip of my hat to you. You certainly have softened my fall through my crisis. Appreciate your help, work and dedication. I hope you can feel better and enjoy the moment again soon. THANKS, CHEERS, and SUPPORT
Hey John, don’t be afraid to take care of yourself. I did not and had to retire early so I didn’t die. As I look back, I wish I had taken more time with my family. The family is really all you have left after your time of work is done. I give to OSF every month and I want you to care for yourself. Your work is so important that you need to care for your mental health, as we don’t want you to burn out. Take care John!
I felt the need to give some constructive feedback. I appreciate the transparency, but I’m not sure I see how you came to the conclusion. You’re not great at managing people, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But deciding the way around that is to just eliminate people (who I assume have contributed to the success of the organization) is ignoring the actual problem. If you’re not a people leader, do the right thing and find someone who is. To me, that’s putting the mission of the organization above your own ego. Reading between the lines, it seems like that’s something others have suggested but you’re unwilling to do, which is a bit of a bummer. Though I have no doubt you’re burned out, I’d love to see OSF continue to grow. I’m not sure this will even end “the CYCLE” because it doesn’t seem to solve the problem. But for your sake (and for some solace for the folks you’re laying off), I hope it does.
If you've let go of Jenn and Gerardo, I can't help but feel bad. They have been terrific cohosts...my favorites, in fact, along with Mike. I hope that MS continues to grow in viewership, in spite of any of these changes, because it's sure been invaluable to me in my faith transition. Best wishes for a less hectic life and continued success.
@@Moksha-Raver MS isn't discontinuing. There are going to be fewer episodes, though, and Margi will be the main cohost. John Larson and Carah will still be joining in like now, as will Mike of lds Discussions. No definitive word so far on Jenn and Gerardo, which was my concern.
John and Margi, I hope you can feel & find peace in the content you have given to so many of us. The message of ‘Informed Consent’ in understanding the truth of Mormonism gives people power over their lives. Regarding the difficulties you’ve endured and are enduring to bring us ‘Informed Consent’ our family wants to sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Frankly, we’re struggling to keep up with immense amount of content recently released anyway and we’re loyal fans. Keep up the good work! We support you and are so grateful for the impact you’ve had in the lives of our family.
I don’t know if something happened with Jen, but I hope she comes on to co-host again. She has such an incredible ability to sit in her feelings and to vocalize them that is a model of healthy emotional intelligence for many of us. ❤
Jen was wonderful! I also hope she's not gone, but would completely understand if people need to step away. I wonder if Mormon Stories should hire someone who has therapist/counselor training to deal with hearing these hard topics weekly. Trauma is not easy to listen to or know how to process within ourselves.
Her emotionality doesn't seem healthy to me. She seems like someone who's traumatized, not someone in control of her feelings. She's less "sitting with" her emotions and more " being dragged around " by them. It's a bit troubling and I worry that she's not able to heal properly.
I have learned more about how to empathize from listening to Jenn than almost anybody else in my life or other media. She has been a transformative influence in my life. If she needs to step away, I will honor her path and be grateful for the lessons I've learned. If she stays, I will gratefully listen to more of her compassion and insights.
Appreciate You so much, It’s for all of your hard work and dedication John. You’ve done such wonderful things for so many people that you probably will never know how many.
Thank you so much for your honesty. Would like to say that what you do is amazing. Only found your site recently. It feels like a very safe place to be able for your guest to tell their story. Take care of your own well being. Your tank has to be filled in order for you to give out so much. 💖 💖
Whatever it takes to keep Mormon Stories alive and functioning is what we need. If this all means that we've lost Jen and Gerardo, then my heart aches, because they are beautiful and unique voices that the world needs, and the platform that Mormon Stories gave them was amazing. Long form personal interviews are the core of Mormon Stories, so as long as that continues, I think that's all it needs to be, though I adore John Larson and Mike and all they do. Hopefully, too, we'll get more Nemo hosting international stories. It's easy to forget that the LDS exists outside of the US and what the experience of other countries is like. But slowing down, taking it one story at a time, isn't going to hurt ratings. We're here, and we'll be here for whatever is coming in the future. Now, John, go home and take a friggin nap!
Pace is too fast for me, and I have more spare time than most! I've often wanted to say, John, you look exhausted, but I don't say much except I have appreciated you and your excellent interviews. Margi is right. A couple of episodes a week is a good idea. Hope you keep Jen and Gerardo.
Thank you John and the entire board at OSF. Love the openness you provide and agree 100% with cutting back on the content and making yourself (& your family) a priority. You are a great example to so many.
I'm a subscriber, monthly donor, never-Mormon, and also, am sooooo supportive of your health and emotional wellness, in whatever way is best for you. All those hurt dogs be biting you...because you're touching so many wounds. Even if they're healing, those raw nerves are waking up and angry. So they bark. The slanderers are so obvious ... hateful and inconsistent in their responses, and/or throwing all the spaghetti at you to see what sticks. Just exposing themselves as spaghetti monsters, not "enlightening" anything about your character. I hear you acknowledging you are especially human sometimes. Give, work, shove it down, then eventually snap out of it and realize everything has been in crisis mode for awhile, and you're (once again) the last one to realize it. This honest discussion exemplifies what your podcast is all about! Your channel sustained me in ways I'll never be able to fully express. Thank you. You deserve the peace you are helping so many others find. And it's good to acknowledge that you be the barkin one sometimes too. I relate. Now go and get your Eckhart Tolle on, or whatever else fills your bucket back up!! ❤️❤️
From Scotland, don't believe in any religion and love and appreciate everything you do to help others. You must take care of yourself and the family or you will become unable to help as your own mental and physical health is obviously suffering. Please take care now, before it's too late and you have a breakdown. I feel there has become too much content and it's difficult to keep up with it, so less is more.
After the last interview I, myself, need to take a break. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for you & Jenn & everyone else at the OSF. Please take care of yourselves & also those who take care of you. Perhaps a little more ‘quality not quantity’? You’ve got a huge, a massive, back catalog folks can explore in-between new episodes. Hey, maybe repost old episodes with an updated introduction? You could record a few intros & then take a good long break. Maybe even take a little vacation? Y’all deserve it, really you do.
John you speak the truth to so many. As a therapist I own an LLC and have gone through the cycle. Hiring and betrayal and battling the day to day ‘ how to stay alive’ cycle all the while doing good and staying focused on helping people. I have battled the religious strangle hold on my patients and it is real. You are doing so much good. I’m glad to hear you are working hard to stay healthy and continue to do good things!!
YaY! I have witnessed your working your ass off! The content is amAzing! Take care of YOU,& YOUR FAMILY 1st! Love your work! You've helped me in many ways! Love your Family! Thank-You all for your sacrifice and commitment to this amazing work! Bravo!!♥️♥️♥️
John, the numerous interviews you’ve done over the years has been very insightful and inspiring and helped me deal with the cacophony of the post Mormon world. My favorite episode is the Book of Abraham and renowned Egyptologist Robert Ritner, may God rest his soul. I just finished watching all four of his interviews for the second time, and I am awed by this man’s ability to state the truth in no uncertain terms. He will never be forgotten but remembered as the one voice of reason whom I can go to to help understand in detail how the apologists have been dishonest and cunning to keep people in the church. My point is that even if you were to stop broadcasting now, we would still have the volumes of work that brings clarity and hope to so many questioning minds. Thank you, and I hope you find a way to sustain Mormon Stories with all the complications that come along with it.
What a crazy times we live in! Telling the truth and exposing darkness in high places does come with a high cost, I’m surprised that nothing worse has happened to you, it takes a lot of courage to do what you do.Keep up the good work.
This is the second time I’ve listened to this. It reinforces the sacrifices you and your family have endured as a result of the hard choice you made. I hope you know, deep down, what an incredible contribution you’ve made for others. Your diverse audience recognizes your brilliance, integrity, ethos, and extreme consideration in doing no harm to others. Honestly, I’m not sure how many of us would have navigated our traumas as well as we have without your platform and all you bring to it. Seriously, I hope as you exposed your vulnerability in this podcast you feel better and can keep your perspective. I feel you owed none of this to any of us, but in your doing so you’ve reinforced what we admire so much in all you do. I’m sure one day you’ll decide to take a different journey. Until you do, just know I’m one who will be there till your final goodbye. You have made that much of a difference in my life. I can never thank you enough for ALL you have brought to so many lives. You’re where you should be for now, try to appreciate the ride!!!
I was wondering about this for the last few months…watching you give so much to the abuse podcasts….and how exhausted you sounded. I get the job thing being so important/rewarding and sometimes requiring more energy than what most people can handle (hospice nursing). Again, vulnerable and connected and THANK YOU for being you not quitting. Stories are where it’s at. There is no ceiling to how far you can go sharing human stories. We need them. We need each other. The other stuff (mormon church stuff, doctrines, etc) is interesting for sure - but peoples STORIES are essential. Love love love you John and family and staff! Love you and thank you!!!!!
Gerardo and John Larsen consistently elevate and expand the content, perspectives, dialogue and demeanor of the pod. Losing either, Larsen (sounds like he’ll continue) or Gerardo (no indication) is will set MS back on a number of fronts. The good news is the show should remain very good. The downside, for me, is missing how great it was with these voices and how those episodes did not feel draining like many of the others. As someone who loves long form, the energy and balance they bring to the discussion will/would be greatly missed. (After 10 minutes of primer, it felt patronizing for it to continue on.) Still appreciate the content, give high ratings and donate.
I really appreciate all that you and the Open Stories Foundation does for those of us just trying to keep our head above the water. That said, you need to take care of you and your family first. We will always be here.❤️
Very early on you talked about technical skills. Part of why I have listened to you so much is because your audio quality is so good. I can listen without watching to read lips, so while driving or doing dishes.
I am a never Mormon who listens to hours of Mormon Stories every week. I am happy to hear that you will be putting out less content because honestly, it is hard to spend the time to listen to each podcast! It also takes a lot of emotional fortitude to hear the many ways people have been damaged by faith so spending less time listening each week will also help with that. I enjoy you and your hosts so will be sorry if they aren't with you sometimes but you all have to do what you have to do. I hope the reset helps and that your podcasts continue on.
You have certainly helped me in my process of healing. Until your podcast I never really felt comfortable in thinking or talking about it, but now it seems just natural to speak freely. Thanks so much for all you have done. I always felt so alone, and now I feel comfortable with my feelings about leaving the church. I have that to thank you for. I never felt that you have given off any negative energy. You’re always positive and uplifting. It is a God thing.
I love you John. Your hard work behind the scenes and in front of the camera is evident. I’m a Never-Mo who loves to learn about religions & practices & their effects on people. But I’d rather have less content than see you fall I’ll or worse. Stress is a killer. Please slow down, please take care of yourself, and know that your loyal followers will be here to share in all you do.
This has been a timely presentation. I have been watching the Polygamy series. It was outstanding content but I did notice that you John did not look your healthily self. Your face looked drawn and tired. Now that you have mentioned your lack of sleep it makes sense. Your latest output has been hard to keep up with as a consumer never mind as a producer. What I appreciate soooo much is your timely ability to get on the record of some of the most important interviews of critical content like Sandra Tanner, Robert / Palmer, Robert Ritner etc, before due either to age or ill health would have been lost for future generations and for those of us who, by being able to listen to them ‘speak’ leaving no space to miss construe what they have or had said by church apologists, rather hear it first hand, their experience and their expertise in how toxic it is to be a ‘Mormon’ believing or not. I am of the camp that your health and sanity is much more important than the volume of content you are currently producing. I would like to believe that there will always be a core subscriber ship that will remain loyal irrespective of what changes you will do. I love that Margie will co-host. I love all your co-hosts but Margie brings ‘something’ that speaks to me and helps me see things and think about things in a unique way. Every organization has to grow and change. I look forward to your continuing content and finding important stories to tell. Life balance is so important. Thanks for all you do.
John, it’s ultimately your podcast, so it’s yours to steer in your best considered direction. As a listener for the last two years (and a never mo) I have been glued to your channel. I think that the diversity of guests interacting with the variety of co- hosts have made this a must-listen. Your interviewing style is incomparable! The personal stories are compelling. The history is eye opening. However, I think that Carah, Jenn and Gerardo have added much needed younger voices and represented generational concerns in interviews. I fear that if you reduce these voices you will be making a sizable mistake.
As a person who just joined mormon stories, I'm glad you're cutting back. There is no way you can keep up the pace been doing. How you've kept it up this long as amazing. If you don't take care of yourself you can't take care of anybody else. I know you know that, but you really need to internalize it.. Thanks for all you do
Love you and Margi. And I love your honest and clean show. Thank you for how you have endured the junk. You stand as a beacon. What a weight you guys carry. I see my Savior’s influence. And you SO spread His lovingkindness. Keeping it real. I’m sorry for the trauma thrown on you years ago, plus the continuing craziness of the adversary. Hang in there! We love you. We need you. And we need you rested and have you keep your chi up. God bless our John and Margi. Remember. You are a human. And we love you guys totally as you are. My prayers and my love follow you. And this week, Hach Sameach!!! ✡️🙏🏽🥰
In the face of your sharing of huge difficulties.... Be at peace as much as possible ! You are providing a hugely important service & deserve the highest accolade ! YOU ARE SO VERY MUCH APPRECIATED !!!
You are appreciated John. Thanks for baring your heart about many of the challenges the OSF faces. I rarely comment as I usually view RU-vid on my TV. As you know I am a nevermo but have watched all the changes and advances through the years. You are doing well as are those on staff. Great stuff. I know you have Sandra Tanner on now and then. Being a Christian, I would really love seeing more Exmos who haven't given up on the biblical Jesus Christ. It seems most former LDS land either as an agnostic or an atheist. Still, I appreciate the wide range of content. Super!!
I am one of those outside of mormonism watchers and you all have taught me so much. I'm mainly interested in religion in general (both in good and bad) and follow other similar stuff as well. I love both Jenn and Gerardo, so if they cannot continue I will be sad, but I wouldn't stop watching you for that. I understand there are always important reasons, which we cannot see and which are private. I respect that privacy. Take care of yourself, both John and staff.
Your audience will continue to be here. People in the church will learn the truth about church since you've led the way. Your work will not dissipate. You are the person I continue to look forward to hearing as you work against this terrible belief system that's been foisted on people and which has played a role in warping society. I'm a NeverMo and it's even affected me in the workplace.
Just wanna say that you and your team have helped me feel less alone in my experience as an ex Mormon and I am sure I am not the only person you have helped heal. Thank you for that John. Thank you to your team as well. I really look forward to you all taking care of yourselves and hope you can continue creating in a way that feels more balanced and healthy for you all.
It boggles my mind how much content y'all put out. I can't even watch a 3 hour interview every day let alone produce one lol. I support you in cutting back and hopefully taking more time for yourself!
So much compassion for all this. This is super hard. Challenging the system is brutal. You and your wife (team) that you move forward in courage is inspirational. It is making a huge difference. Your humility and heart, vulnerability is also inspirational. This help on so many levels for humanity and shifting out of such deeply damaging systems, like patriarchy. Keep taking care of YOU. Finding balance. Thanks for all you have done. Your work has inspired others, and has made an impact to shift society to a place of humanity.
You need to take care of you (and family) first. Cutting back is a good thing - balance your life and get some much needed rest and regroup. Thank you for all that you do for everyone. You have helped me beyond measure. We do care about you and your health. I love you and there ain't nothing you can do about it!
Gerardo sounds like a keeper with his very diverse skill set. He’s a production wiz, good at cohosting, and has great graphic design chops. Not too many people who can do all those things. You’ll be just fine with two episodes a week.
Thank you for this video. I did not realize the complexity of doing your videos. I hope some of my comments have not hurt any of your current and former employees. Great insights. Great speakers. Great videos. Great work you provide.
Please please please please keep Gerardo- I’d LOVE to hear more from him. Maybe even in Spanish. His voice and perspective is AWESOME 🙌🏼. You + Margie + Gerardo would be an absolute dream team.
We hear you John! Sometimes less is more, you know! Take care of yourself, your health and your family before anything else 🙏. Without doing that, this very amazing journey can't continue. In a way, I wish you had an eager grown up child, who would love to, little by little , join you, host or produce , and maybe natraly help you bring this ship forward in your spirit. I can really understand how hard it must be to let go, and let others take over your lifeswork. So I respect your honesty , and your decision, when you say you don't really love the idea of hiring someone else to be the Boss above you! Cos you are the father in this journey. But also, my grandpa was a super realistic old man..when we talked about how important one human really is, or was,(we talked about him offcourse) in the big picture, he made a statement,that is so true, yet so hard to hear... He said... To see how important you really are, you should go down to the water, stick a finger down in the water, and then lift your finger out again , and look to see if you left a whole in the water! That's a super ruff realization, that tells us , maybe we feel more important than we really are sometimes.. ? I do not imply you feel that way, John. You seem like a very good man🙌. But to let go of some responsibility may bring you a lot of joy too. And also, by delicate might save, and also bring, Mormon Stories Podcast into the future after our voices goes out of time, John. I'm 50 now, a nobody, so I'm just thinking high here... But many of us have this dilemma anyway. being in this age-group. do we work so our life legacy/work (like MSP)will continue to do well, and evolve, even if we, no longer can do what we do now, or, do we end things the day we retire. I believe it will be many many more Mormons who really need your platform for a very very long time , so what you do is very important, but of course, there will be more and more help out there, because you and others,i guess, have walked up a lot of paths for people in the future. So many will need to hear, it will be ok , when they goes through a faith crises You could be the founder in this, and work for this ship to sail after you no longer are able to do this, or you be the epic JohnD who did this important work, in Utah, and it started and ends with you, and those around you. It's a big dilemma. By deligating, you can enjoy doing what you love to do most, is maybe not the worst thing ever either.. ? Maybe let a son, or daughter help you in that way? I have no idea how old they are, what they do, or if that's even an option or idea for the future. So if it is not, I apologize. I just hope you manage to Take back the joy first and foremost! Be kind towards yourself! And follow your heart, it seems that has been a success so far🥰💪 Go take a vacation too with your beautiful wife! Cos your doing so well ! We will be here and be thankful for what's the next step for you, and this channel and important movement. Love from Marte in Norway ❤️
I hear and feel everything that you have just shared and believe me when I say that I understand. I have observed the stress in your spirit and body over the last year and a half. You need and must take care of yourself. You are doing a beautiful and wonderful service for everyone who hears what you share. You will and are bringing about changes in this world and explaining how mighty doctrines have affected individuals. Your work is so important John, and so are you. You must take care of yourself and your beautiful wife and family first. If I were there I would give you a big hug and tell you that everything will be fine and to take care of yourself first. Take time to re-evaluate what you must and continue when you are able. The work you are doing is wonderful. I send love to you and your family and strength for your Spirit. I believe in the miracle and power of prayer and I’m sending many to you and your family. Do only what you can. 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼💜
I'm a life long small business man and this is exactly what happens in the world of small business. You build a successful thriving small business then it destroys you. You have to stay intentionally small. Easy to say, hard to do. You also have to get over disappointing people, also easy to say hard to do. Thank you for all you have done. (this does leave me feeling like there is another shoe to drop - if so you can get through it just stay honest)
John, I thank God for you. You’re brave, loving and a force to recon with fighting for the Truth. I have learned so much from you. Please IM if I can help in any way. I’d be willing to donate time and work
I can totally understand too well too much of what you speak to in this announcement John. It speaks quite a bit to much of my own headspace in some of these weightier matters. Thank you for a fair, critical, insightful, & diplomatic Podcast. I've enjoyed having the opportunity to go back and watch older episodes and watch newer episodes. You've been quite helpful on a number of subjects and I look forward to continued Podcast episodes. What I've just watched with Elissa Wall, and those 3 parts, has been both inspiring and soul draining. Count me as one more Star Fish you've picked up and thrown back into the ocean. MSP has very much mattered to me- your healthy ability to continue to help others is even more important. That only comes when your own health and your family health is routinely taken care of... thank you again John.
Recently I've been thinking the amount of content you've been putting out is crazy. As a subscriber it was too much for me to keep up with, so as a content creator i can't fathom how you're doing it and i can't imagine it's a sustainable pace. Please slow down for everyone involved's sake. Gerardo and Jenn are awesome 💜 love you all
I'm sure you'll make good changes. It has been hard to even keep up with the content you have been generating. Margi is a wonderful co host when you need one. I hope you won't cut back on the LDS Discussions content, it is so good!!! It's really hard to let people go and you'll never please everyone, but you do your best and that is all you can do.
Please keep Jenn and Gerardo if you can. ❤ I’m so happy to hear that Margi will be on more. I love her! Women’s voices are so important in an ex-Mormon space. You are amazing! I’ve learned so much from you. Please don’t be so hard on yourself and take care of you!
One of the reasons I’ve been watching more is the new cohosts including margie because I love hearing their questions and input but also the diversity of conversations you’ve been having lately
You have done so much to help others John but you need to take care of you. It is good that you have people around you to save you from burnout. Smart move.
I am grateful to have found this channel, it is wonderful. I am not sure if you’re aware but Dr. John Matthias who you’ve had on your program, provides leadership coaching. We all need, at times, professional counselling and coaching. We all need to pause and reflect. I will leave it at that.
John, I am guessing the catalyst for this is the situation with Jenn. From what I have seen you have handled that respectfully. I joined the church in my late teens because I was searching for truth and I thought I found it in the church. That script - the belief that the church was the true church - was written in my brain at that young age. I wanted to be obedient to God and his leaders etc. Through years of activity and inactivity and then activity again, that script did not change until I came into contact with Mormon Stories about 7 years ago. You and your staff ''opened my eyes'' to the real truth and I am extremely grateful. Keep up the vital and good work but keep it simple to avoid all the stress that you don't deserve. The church has fooled us all and they need to be exposed for all their deceit, manipulation and greed. Your work is important to all of us.
