Blame it on Mel

Mariana Nadworna on Black Mormons, Church History, and Healing

Mariama grew up a Black Mormon in the UK. Served a mission. Defended the LDS Church. Then she started asking questions. This week on Blame It On Mel, Mariama shares her journey out of Mormonism after reading the CES Letter, the trauma from having a racist mission trainer, confronting the Church’s history of racism, and realizing that many of the explanations she was given as a Black member caused lasting harm. We discuss Mormon racism, the priesthood and temple ban on Black members, teachings of church doctrine about becoming “white and delightsome,” Church accountability, and why she believes racism in the LDS Church is not just history—it’s still affecting members today because it has never been fully addressed or apologized for. Mariama also shares her concerns about the LDS Church’s rapid growth in Africa, including missionary efforts in Nigeria, the role of tithing in impoverished communities, and whether potential converts are being given the full history of Black Mormon racism before joining. We also discuss a troubling experience after she requested no contact from the Church. Despite asking Bishops not to contact her minor child directly, missionaries continued showing up and asking to speak with her young child. The question remains: in what world is it appropriate for adult strangers to seek access to a minor after a parent has explicitly revoked permission? Silence doesn’t heal. The historical doctrine and mistreatment still shapes families, culture, and the lived experience of Black members. 🎙️ HOT TOPICS: • Black Mormons • Mormon racism • Race and Mormonism • LDS Church history • Priesthood ban • Temple ban • White and delightsome teachings • CES Letter • Gospel Topics Essays • Religious deconstruction • Ex-Mormon stories • Church accountability • Church transparency • Mormon Church in Africa • Nigeria missionary work • Tithing controversy • Faith crisis • Religious trauma • Missionary boundaries • Contacting minor children • Parent consent • Church culture • Racism in religion • Mormon Stories • John Dehlin • Leaving Mormonism

Annie Marie-Part 2

Annie Marie became a viral sensation by turning the quirks, contradictions, and awkward moments of Mormon culture into comedy gold. Raised in the LDS Church by a Spanish mother who met her father on his mission, Annie grew up feeling like an outsider after her parents divorced—a reality that carried its own stigma in Mormon communities.In this episode, Annie shares hilarious and eye-opening stories about growing up LDS, from church worthiness interviews and public shame to sacrament meeting mishaps and feeling constantly monitored as a teenager. We discuss why some members seemed to get away with everything while others were scrutinized for every mistake, the embarrassment of losing sacrament privileges, and how entire wards seemed to know everyone’s business.We also dive into some of the most bizarre Mormon experiences many former members still laugh about today: baptisms for the dead, strict dress and grooming standards, worthiness interviews about coffee, masturbation, and “impure thoughts,” debates over crosses, women wearing pants, working mothers, and the cultural pressure to appear perfect.Annie explains why the blonde-wigged church leader in her viral skits resonates with so many people and how humor became her way of processing experiences that once felt confusing, embarrassing, and controlling.Whether you’re LDS, ex-Mormon, Mormon-adjacent, or simply fascinated by high-demand religions, this episode is packed with stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and say, “Wait… that actually happened?”

Annie Marie Part 1

Annie Marie became a viral sensation by turning the quirks, contradictions, and awkward moments of Mormon culture into comedy gold. Raised in the LDS Church by a Spanish mother who met her father on his mission, Annie grew up feeling like an outsider after her parents divorced—a reality that carried its own stigma in Mormon communities. In this episode, Annie shares hilarious and eye-opening stories about growing up LDS, from church worthiness interviews and public shame to sacrament meeting mishaps and feeling constantly monitored as a teenager. We discuss why some members seemed to get away with everything while others were scrutinized for every mistake, the embarrassment of losing sacrament privileges, and how entire wards seemed to know everyone’s business. We also dive into some of the most bizarre Mormon experiences many former members still laugh about today: baptisms for the dead, strict dress and grooming standards, worthiness interviews about coffee, masturbation, and “impure thoughts,” debates over crosses, women wearing pants, working mothers, and the cultural pressure to appear perfect. Annie explains why the blonde-wigged church leader in her viral skits resonates with so many people and how humor became her way of processing experiences that once felt confusing, embarrassing, and controlling. Whether you’re LDS, ex-Mormon, Mormon-adjacent, or simply fascinated by high-demand religions, this episode is packed with stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and say, “Wait… that actually happened?”

Natasha Helfer Part 2

I sit down with Natasha Helfer — the sex therapist, former Mormon therapist, and outspoken advocate who was excommunicated by the LDS/Mormon church after challenging purity culture, shame-based teachings, and the harm many experience inside high-demand religion. You may recognize her from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, but this conversation goes way deeper than reality TV. We talk about Mormonism, religious trauma, sexuality, mixed-faith marriages, mental health, women’s roles, and what happens when people start questioning the systems they were taught never to challenge. Natasha shares her experience being publicly disciplined by the LDS church, the backlash she faced for speaking openly about sex and relationships, and why so many former members say they felt silenced, controlled, or ashamed inside Mormon culture. This episode is hilarious, validating, uncomfortable at times, and packed with the kind of honest conversations people are often too afraid to have out loud. Take a listen — you might learn something new from this brilliant therapist! * Mormon church controversy * LDS church excommunication * Natasha Helfer excommunicated * Mormon purity culture * Religious trauma * Ex Mormon stories * Mormon women speaking out * Mormon sexuality * Mormon shame culture * Sex therapist Mormon * LDS mental health * Mormon marriage pressure * Mormon therapy controversy * Mormon TikTok * Secret Lives of Mormon Wives * Mormon wives Hulu * Mormon women and sex * Leaving the Mormon church * LDS church control * High demand religion * Mormon guilt and shame * Faith deconstruction * Mixed faith marriage * Mormon feminism * LDS church and women * Mormon culture secrets * Spiritual abuse * Mormon perfectionism * Mormon dating and purity culture * Post Mormon healing * Mormon influencers * Ex Mormon podcast * Mormon podcast * LDS trauma recovery * Mormon bishops interviews * Mormon temple worthiness * Mormon modesty culture * Mormon confession culture * Mormon sexual shame * Religious deconstruction

Natasha Helfer

I sit down with Natasha Helfer — the sex therapist, former Mormon therapist, and outspoken advocate who was excommunicated by the LDS/Mormon church after challenging purity culture, shame-based teachings, and the harm many experience inside high-demand religion. You may recognize her from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, but this conversation goes way deeper than reality TV. We talk about Mormonism, religious trauma, sexuality, mixed-faith marriages, mental health, women’s roles, and what happens when people start questioning the systems they were taught never to challenge. Natasha shares her experience being publicly disciplined by the LDS church, the backlash she faced for speaking openly about sex and relationships, and why so many former members say they felt silenced, controlled, or ashamed inside Mormon culture. This episode is hilarious, validating, uncomfortable at times, and packed with the kind of honest conversations people are often too afraid to have out loud. Take a listen — you might learn something new from this brilliant therapist! * Mormon church controversy * LDS church excommunication * Natasha Helfer excommunicated * Mormon purity culture * Religious trauma * Ex Mormon stories * Mormon women speaking out * Mormon sexuality * Mormon shame culture * Sex therapist Mormon * LDS mental health * Mormon marriage pressure * Mormon therapy controversy * Mormon TikTok * Secret Lives of Mormon Wives * Mormon wives Hulu * Mormon women and sex * Leaving the Mormon church * LDS church control * High demand religion * Mormon guilt and shame * Faith deconstruction * Mixed faith marriage * Mormon feminism * LDS church and women * Mormon culture secrets * Spiritual abuse * Mormon perfectionism * Mormon dating and purity culture * Post Mormon healing * Mormon influencers * Ex Mormon podcast * Mormon podcast * LDS trauma recovery * Mormon bishops interviews * Mormon temple worthiness * Mormon modesty culture * Mormon confession culture * Mormon sexual shame * Religious deconstruction