Daughters of Mormonism

Right click here to download the mp3. Click Here to See Complete Instructions on How to Set Up Your Own Podcast Art by Angela Treat LyonThere is solid evidence for the fact that when women speak more than 30 percent of the time, men perceive them as dominating the conversation; well, similarly, if, say, two women in a row get one of the big annual literary awards, masculine voices start talking about feminist cabals, political correctness, and the decline of fairness in judging. The 30 percent rule is really powerful. If more than one woman out of four or five won the Pulitzer, the PEN/Faulkner, the Booker—if more than one woman in ten were to win the Nobel literature prize—the ensuing masculine furore would devalue and might destroy the prize. Apparently, literary guys can only compete with each other. Put on a genuine equal competitive footing with women, they get hysterical. They just have to have their voices heard 70 percent of the time.      —Ursula Le Guin The Wave in the Mind (Off the P

Right click here to download the mp3.There are so many women from all over the world, both in and out of Mormonism who listen to this podcast. Each of you has much to share. Every week I get emails from you, telling me about your life journeys, about your pain and triumphs, about how one of the episodes on the podcast helped you or validated you. Many of you have sent me ideas for podcasts, too. Because, really, for women’s issues in religion, there is endless territory to cover. In these episodes I’ve done, I haven’t even scratched the surface. There is so, so much still to be spoken. I want to hear your voices. I want to hear your stories. And there is more out there than I could ever cover. I’ve known this time was coming, and now it’s finally here.It’s time for me to move on from this podcast. It's time for me to turn my heart energies elsewhere. It’s time for me to pass the torch to you.In the final episode, I’ll give you a tutorial about how to create a podcast. Art by Jan Morgan Wood

Right click here to download the mp3.Photograph by Jonathan GreenAbout a year ago, I recorded a piece about the pain I feel from being raised under patriarchy. I never had the courage to post it because it felt so vulnerable. It wasn't until a friend of mine expressed her pain at awakening to the crushing weight of patriarchy that I revisited that recording and shared it with her. Together, we decided to create a series about the pain of patriarchy, as this is an experience that is common to many women in the church. This episode contains my original recording.In the following episodes for this series, you will hear the voices of Amelia, Courtney, Sara, Tiffany, and Katrina. Each of these women gives a different perspective and voice to her journey. Below, you can also hear an added male perspective from Gail.The Pain of Patriarchy: "The Men Give the Equality to the Women" — GailRight click here to download the mp3.*As always, thanks to Kevin MacLeod for the music.

Right click here to download the mp3.In this episode from The Pain of Patriarchy series, Amelia shares her experience.Image location

Right click here to download the mp3.In this episode from The Pain of Patriarchy series, Courtney shares her experience.Art by James Christensen

Right click here to download the mp3.In this episode from The Pain of Patriarchy series, Sara shares her experience.Image location

Right click here to download the mp3.In this episode from The Pain of Patriarchy series, Tiffany shares her experience.Art by Tertius Alio

Right click here to download the mp3.In this episode from The Pain of Patriarchy series, Katrina shares her experience.Child's Drawing for a Better and Gender Equal World

Right click here to download the mp3. Art by Adam Martinakis Despite how common depression is, there is a lot of denial and secrecy attached to it. In this panel, Sybil is joined by panelists Amelia and Jenne A, and guests Lisa and Kendahl to discuss their experiences in living with depression.In this first part, we discuss depression in Utah and how  the idea of being a perfect Mormon woman can contribute to depression. We also talk about our own symptoms of depression. Here is a list of those symptoms:Symptoms of Depressionapathy and detachment; difficulty connecting with the living world and being a part of what is happeninga sense of powerlessness inward blaming, self-faulting, feeling worthlessexcessive sleeping; also insomnia or difficulty sleeping; being highly self-criticalphysical numbness or painasthma and breathing problemsmental darkness; feeling under a low ceilingdifficulty getting out of bedself isolation; being tense and withdrawnirritable bowel synd

Right click here to download the mp3. Art by Karim FakhouryIn the second part of this panel discussion, Sybil, Amelia, Jenne A, Lisa, and Kendhal discuss situational vs chemical depression, accepting and owning their depression, and vivid dreams that lead to understanding aspects of the self.We also talk about the mentality of "there's one right way to deal with this" and how that doesn't work with depression; how there is a need to find what works for you, moment to moment.We then discuss medication and depression and the stigmas attached both to taking it and not taking it, trying to find medication that works, weaning off medications. We also talk about therapy.To comment and for resources, please see Part III.

Right click here to download the mp3. Art by Jarosław Kubick In the final segment of our discussion, we talk about ways we hid our depression or magnified our depression (what made things worse) and ways we helped our depression (what made things better).The panelists will be watching the comments to respond to questions. Here is a summary of the resources and other things that helped us.Process:Name the problemIdentify root causes (often things from the past) and work through themFigure out what triggers depressive episodes Remove triggers (get out of situations that make things worse) Build relationship spaces where you can find happiness and peace and emotional strength ("family" by choice)Choose your spirituality and interaction with the churchGet out of overly-stressful or abusive situations and take care of yourselfBecome an advocate, speak upTechniques:Journal writing and bloggingWriting in supportive communities (online forums)Creating: Art, music (eg. playing piano), dance (eg. choreography), crochet

Right click here to download the mp3.Image locationIn the second part of the discussion, Sybil, Amy, and Shelby talk about how they've thought being mothers and alternatives to bearing children.* By having this conversation, we are in no way saying that motherhood or children are wrong or undesirable. We are only expressing our own experiences.For resources and references, and to comment on this panel discussion, please see Part I.

Right click here to download the mp3.Image locationBecause motherhood and having children are such an intrinsic part of the way women are defined in the church, trying to have a conversation among those who have chosen not to have children ... it can be difficult. In some ways, child-free women can feel marginalized and/or invisible in the church because they aren't "fulfilling their purpose" as a mother.In this panel discussion, Sybil is joined by guest panelists Amy and Shelby to talk about their experiences as women who have currently chosen not to have children. They also discuss how they remain childless, their fears and thoughts about motherhood, and more. * By having this conversation, we are in no way saying that motherhood or children are wrong or undesirable. We are only expressing our own experiences. The panelists will be watching the comments to respond to ideas and issues brought up in this discussion.  ResourcesThe Childless By Choice ProjectThe Childfree Life ForumTwo Is Enough: A Couple'

Right click here to download the mp3.Art by Mara Berendt FriedmanSometimes our thirst for divine reflection of our gender can lead us to fascinating places. In this panel discussion our panelists Jenne A and Jenni B are joined by their friends Jena and Genevieve to present an interpretation of the garment symbols that includes the Divine Feminine. In addition to the meaning they give the symbols, they have also created daily rituals that help them to connect to their garments in a positive way. The panelists will be watching the comments to respond to ideas and to elaborate on the symbolism and practices they share in the discussion. Resources and ReferencesLDS Endowment (Be advised: This site contains direct wording and description of the Temple Ceremony) Ephesians 6:11-18 (verse 14 about loins girt with truth, verse 16 about the shield)4-part Godhead Ideas about Multiple Mortal Probations by Jenne AMy Search for the Divine Feminine by Ryan Thomas (Exponent article about why people believe that the

Right click here to download the mp3.Christ of the AbyssSpecial Episode for Easter: There are so many of us who hide our wounded souls, fearful that others will see our pain. Often we are drowned in feelings of hopelessness and despair of ever healing.In this short episode, I give my own interpretation of Christ's atonement and resurrection. In my view, he is showing us the path of our own healing. When Christ said, "Come follow me," perhaps he was showing us the way into our own darkness.  Isaiah Reference: Isaiah 61:3Please share your own experiences of wounding and healing in the comments. Please also feel free to share things that have helped you on your journey.

Right click here to download the mp3.Jenne will be watching the comments to respond to the ideas brought up in her interview. Resources and ReferencesWhat Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson, BOOK and FILMThe Science of Mind by Ernest HolmesFighting for Your Marriage by Howard Markman, Scott Stanley, Susan Blumberg Empowering Couples Building on Your Strengths by David Olson and Amy Olson  First Comes Love by Douglas Brinley and Mark OgletreeWomen of the Church by Gordon Hinckley How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream? by Gordon Hinckley Words of the Prophet: Seek Learning by Gordon Hinckley (Special Counsel for Girls heading)Mormon Podcast CommunityMormon Democrats on FacebookSolace for MothersMutual ApprobationFair How to Worship Our Mother In Heaven (Without Getting Excommunicated) by Kevin BarneyJenne's blog post on the above articleYoga of Christ by Philip McLemoreWomen and Authority edited by Maxine HanksMother Wheel Yo Gabba GabbaSpecial thanks to Carolyn Erigero for taking care of "cute

Right click here to download the mp3.Photo CreditPart of the aim of this podcast is to give voice to our stories as Daughters of Mormonism. This episode is an interview with Jenne, one of our panelists.In this interview she talks about her journey toward finding her voice as an advocate and discovering her personal mode of spirituality. Jenne began as a Unitarian Universalist, later converting to LDS church in the aftermath of her father's death. Now she calls herself a Universalist Mormon Pagan, and she reaches out with her heart and abilities to help women with childbirth and trauma as she connects to this life through her children.For resources and to comment, please see Part I.

Right click here to download the mp3.1927 Garment AdOnce you're endowed, wearing garments is meant to be a life-long commitment and is a sign of an active member of the church. Have you ever looked at someone to try to determine if they were wearing garments or caught someone checking you out to see if you were wearing them? Beyond their symbolism, garments come to mean many things to women who wear them. In this short panel discussion, Sybil, Jenni B, and Katrina talk about their experiences with garments.

Right click here to download the mp3. Art by Randi JohnsIn the recent past, there was only one sexual identity: Heterosexual. It was the norm in such a way that there wasn't really any space in the collective understanding for alternate sexual identities. Today, sexual identity has become a place of discovery, controversy, and question, bringing in terms like gay, lesbian, homosexual, bi-sexual, and transsexual. Julia identifies herself as queer, which is not so much a sexual identity as an approach to sexuality that leaves the "box" wide open. She talks about the freedom that comes from being in a safe place to exist as she is. Julia will be watching the comments to respond to the ideas brought up in her interview.As you leave comments, remember that Daughters of Mormonism seeks to provide a safe place for women to share their stories. This is a real story from a real person. Please see the Comment Policy for further details. Resources and ReferencesQueer and Questioning BlogPDF download of Tr

Right click here to download the mp3. Image LocationJoin Sybil, Amelia, Sara, Heather, and Jenni for the first part of their discussion about their experiences with and the causes and effects of Good Girl Syndrome.ResourcesAnd They Were Not Ashamed by Laura BrothersonThe Mormon Missionary PositionPassionate Hearts edited by Wendy MaltzIntimate Kisses edited by Wendy MaltzThe Soul of Sex by Thomas MooreIna May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May GaskinWomen's Therapy Center on Vulvar VestibulitisDo Atheists Have Better Sex Lives?  Mormon Stories: 245 Pornography, Masturbation, Sex and Marriage in MormonismMormon Stories: 214-216 LDS Female Sexuality with Dr Jennifer Finlayson-Fife Mormon Stories: 300-301: LDS Women and Sexual Desire with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-FifeMormon Stories: 280: How to Have Better Sex in Your Mormon Marriage Mormon Expression: Episode 120a: Female Sexuality in the LDS Culture Part 1Mormon Expression: Episode 120b: Female Sexuality in the LDS Culture Part 2