Health Beyond Mormonism

2023 Season Wrap!

Thank you so much for helping to make this first season of Health Beyond Mormonism a spectacular success! This is the first and only health podcast serving deconstructing Mormons and Exmormons, and it's been such a fantastic experience serving you in this way! I'll be back in February with all new episodes. If you'd like to be a guest, or if you have good ideas for an episode, please reach out- I'm always looking for great content that helps people with their health, mental health, and faith journey. And, by all means, please share any episodes that you think would help someone! Have a safe and healthy holiday!

What about the Widows? Do they matter? With Kamber McCormick

It was a plane wreck. At 21 and pregnant, Kamber's life trajectory changed forever. From being a hopeful young wife of a soon-to-be doctor, she became a young widow with a child in tow, finishing college and attempting to find a new partner. Unfortunately, being sealed to her first husband, she faced a new type of discrimination: no good Mormon men will date a woman who's already sealed. Why can men be sealed to more than one woman, but women can't be sealed to more than one man? Eventually, she remarried and had more children. The first presidency continued to ignore and reject her pleas to marry her second husband "for time" in the temple. Their children are sealed to her first husband. This story highlights how the church is aware of how widows are ignored in the doctrine, and how they intentionally preserve policies that benefit only male priesthood holders. This is actively causing harm to many who would otherwise be fully believing and practicing members. Kamber's resilience is something we can all learn from. She shares her healing journey and many practical steps you can take to heal from trauma. I'm intensely proud of Kamber for sharing her story! This story is important, and I hope listeners will find value and healing in your own stories as you hear hers. Kamber is a personal trainer and nutrition coach. If you'd like to contact her about her programming, contact her at info@wholefitsolutions.com [info@wholefitsolutions.com] or fill out her 1:1 Online Fitness Coaching Application [https://forms.gle/JXbjf5193dZmac3q7] Resources: The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men by Carol Lynn Pearson [https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Eternal-Polygamy-Haunting-Hearts/dp/0997458208/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A5EPPBBJKWS5&keywords=ghost+of+eternal+polygamy&qid=1701294548&s=books&sprefix=ghost+of+eternal+polygamy%2Cstripbooks%2C137&sr=1-1] Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett [https://www.amazon.com/Permission-Feel-Emotional-Intelligence-Well-Being/dp/1250212839/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8M7EWBPL9ETK&keywords=Permission+to+feel&qid=1701294628&s=books&sprefix=permission+to+feel%2Cstripbooks%2C123&sr=1-1] Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brene Brown [https://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Heart-Meaningful-Connection-Experience/dp/0399592555/ref=pd_bxgy_img_d_sccl_1/147-8506597-6973854?pd_rd_w=GWUtq&content-id=amzn1.sym.7746dde5-5539-43d2-b75f-28935d70f100&pf_rd_p=7746dde5-5539-43d2-b75f-28935d70f100&pf_rd_r=JS30XPX88DG06P5KEYG7&pd_rd_wg=2aMIQ&pd_rd_r=a4e46583-a117-4008-869f-1742d8346f9f&pd_rd_i=0399592555&psc=1] The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown [https://www.amazon.com/Gifts-Imperfection-10th-Anniversary-Features/dp/B085LLCPT5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KJUO3WNYKYCK&keywords=the+gifts+of+imperfection+brene+brown+book&qid=1702567815&s=books&sprefix=the+gifts+of+%2Cstripbooks%2C127&sr=1-1] Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be by Dr. Becky Kennedy [https://www.amazon.com/Good-Inside-Guide-Becoming-Parent/dp/0063159481/ref=sr_1_1?crid=211YONIPFURFQ&keywords=good+inside+by+dr.+becky+kennedy&qid=1701294896&s=books&sprefix=dr+becky+%2Cstripbooks%2C120&sr=1-1] How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Dr. Nicole LePera [https://www.amazon.com/How-Do-Work-Recognize-Patterns/dp/006301209X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=396BUM40CA95S&keywords=how+to+do+the+work&qid=1701295087&sprefix=how+to+do+the+wor%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1] Healing the Shame that Binds You by John Bradshaw [https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Shame-Binds-Recovery-Classics/dp/0757303234/ref=sr_1_1?crid=105SU8FVYWBJY&keywords=healing+the+shame+that+binds&qid=1701294809&s=books&sprefix=healing+the+shame+that+bind%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1] The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D [https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MZ1VINKUGW3M&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score&qid=1701295104&sprefix=the+body+keeps+the+score%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1]. Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma by Pete Walker [https://www.amazon.com/Complex-PTSD-Surviving-RECOVERING-CHILDHOOD/dp/1492871842] Come As You Are: Revised and Updated: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski PhD [https://www.amazon.com/Come-You-Are-Surprising-Transform/dp/B08CPVQT5M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3AW6IANRALIFN&keywords=come+as+you+are&qid=1702567471&s=books&sprefix=come+as+you+are%2Cstripbooks%2C131&sr=1-1] Anger: Taming a Powerful Emotion by Gary Chapman [https://www.amazon.com/Anger-Powerful-Emotion-Gary-Chapman/dp/0802413145/ref=asc_df_0802413145/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312371602209&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8278607049177608719&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027973&hvtargid=pla-627254570592&psc=1&mcid=b2155483db263b8aac92f6dcdb8c3885&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61011965686&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312371602209&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8278607049177608719&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027973&hvtargid=pla-627254570592&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7OqrBhD9ARIsAK3UXh3fSWjuP6FaXIsRptK8nQm23oOSPRC7IWvsaOGNp4JBM_N0-i4t6NcaAp9eEALw_wcB] How We Feel app, The How We Feel Project, Inc. [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.howwefeel.moodmeter&hl=en_US&gl=US] D&C 132:16-17 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132?lang=eng] MormonSpectrum.org [https://www.mormonspectrum.org/]- resource for finding community at varying levels of belief and activity in the church Thrivebeyondreligion.com [https://www.thrivebeyondreligion.com/] - resource for small group healing after leaving organized religion.

Winter is Coming! SAD Tips and Tricks

The days are short. The weather is dark. Your energy levels have plummeted and your sex drive has tanked. Whether or not you're diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder, the lower light levels of wintertime probably affect you in one way or another. In this episode of Health Beyond Mormonism, I'll give you a healthy dose of science, a short discussion about mental health in Mormon culture, and several tips and tricks to get you feeling your best this time of year. Resources: Seasonal Affective Disorder [⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder⁠] National Institute of Mental Health Seasonal Affective Disorder [https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-affective-disorder] Johns Hopkins Medicine https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-empowerment-diary/201901/what-is-spiritual-bypassing Psychology Today Circadian Rhythms [https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#:~:text=%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8BWhat%20are%20circadian,the%20study%20of%20circadian%20rhythms.] National Institute of General Medical Sciences Hypothalamus [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22566-hypothalamus] Cleveland Clinic The chronobiology and neurobiology of winter seasonal affective disorder [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3202491/] National Library of Medicine Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17993252/] National Library of Medicine Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder; What it is and how to overcome it by Normal E. Rosenthal, MD [https://www.normanrosenthal.com/]

[Explicit] Homosexuality, Homelessness, Hunger and Healing with Topher Weiss

Topher is one of my oldest friends, and one of my original health coaching clients. We have an incredible conversation about what it's like being homosexual in Mormonism, and his path to healing. We cover topics like abuse, depression, family rejection, conversion therapy, self discovery, healing, and the roll that nutrition plays in your mental and physical health. Topher is an incredibly bright and insightful person, and this episode is FULL of humor, church history anecdotes, and actionable health takeaways. Enjoy!

[Explicit]Authenticity, race cars, and embracing mistakes with graffiti artist Andrew Horner!

What a badass! That's all I can say about Andrew Horner and the way he's found health and happiness in embracing his autonomy post-Mormonism. In learning how to break all the right rules, he's carved out a successful career for himself as a graffiti artist in Austin, TX. We chat about: -Authenticity -Being present in the moment -Sexual repression in church culture -Workout programs -Discipline -Embracing mistakes as part of the learning process Find Andrew on all the socials as @colorcartel or in art spaces as @Apse. References: Worthy Music, Worthy Thoughts by Boyd K Packer [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2008/04/worthy-music-worthy-thoughts?lang=eng] Pascal's Wager [https://youtu.be/2F_LUFIeUk0?si=rzc-IDnWrxiBenqs] F*** Around and Find Out video [https://youtube.com/shorts/WntjAM2wqF8?si=PV3WWSpd9x7uBBQq]