Sunstone Firesides Podcast

Rania, Nebal, and Aya Alsorani fled Syria with their parents when they lost everything to civic unrest and violence. They became refugees first in Jordan, and second in Phoenix, Arizona. Sarah Bybee Fisk interviews the sisters about their journey and what it is like to be a refugee. Listen to this episode here.

Samantha Richardson transitioned to being a woman in her 40s, and—to her great surprise—the Utah ward she moved into immediately embraced her. In this episode, Blaire Ostler and Richardson talk about the recent additions to Handbook 1 regarding transgender people, and how they impact those, like Richardson, who want to be a part of the …

On September 17, 2019, Russell M. Nelson delivered a speech at BYU outlining five “truths,” causing a big stir in the LDS LGBTQ community. In this episode, Blaire Ostler shows how his concepts sound to LGBTQ ears. Listen to this episode here. 

Join Lindsay Hansen Park as she interviews three incredible Mormon women, Christina Atwood, Sara Bybee Fisk, and Nicole Earl about the work they do helping refugees and asylum seekers in the United States. Listen to this episode here.

The latest LDS Handbook update about transgender members shows promise for the future but also has some theological and scientific problems. Blair Ostler talks with philosophy professor Kelli Potter about the complexities of gender and how it can affect LDS theology and practice. Listen to this episode here. 

Flourish Counseling Services is a pioneer in providing therapy especially tailored to the LGBTQ community in Utah. Though it has never been an easy road, it has always been a rewarding one. Blaire Ostler talks with Lisa Hansen and Laura Skaggs Dulin about their experiences. Listen to this episode here.

Marta Vázquez came to the United States from Honduras at 17 years old, pregnant and with a small daughter in tow. Her goal was to join the U.S. Army. Now she is an advocate for asylum seekers in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Vázquez talks with Sara Bybee Fisk about her fascinating life. Listen to this …

Join Firesides host Blaire Ostler as she and her husband Drew recount their experiences attending the last run of the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti, Utah. They discuss an overview of the experience, the doctrinal and cultural implications, and the history of the pageant itself. Listen to this episode here. Links mentioned in this episode: …

The stresses of race, patriarchy, politics, and sexual shame all contributed to the collapse of Laura Ruiz’s marriage. Cristina Gonzalez Cole talks with Ruiz about her journey. Listen to this episode here. 

Answering a spiritual call to move from Oregon to Utah, Jerilyn Pool has been feeding, housing, and partying with Utah’s LGBTQ community for years now. Blaire Ostler talks with Pool (and her pigeons) about her journey. Listen to this episode here.