Mormon Sex Info

Natasha and her team of providers discuss current events. For more on Natasha, you can go here: https://symmetrypath.com/natasha-helfer For more on Allan Alexander: https://symmetrypath.com/glenn-allan-alexander For more on Jenny Elledge: https://symmetrypath.com/jenny-elledge For more on Michelle Peets: https://symmetrypath.com/michelle-peets Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

Natasha interviewed a phenomenal panel of experts in the mental health field regarding the ethics of practice given the scandal that has broken about Jodi Hildebrandt. This panel will include professionals who specialize in sexuality, religion and child/adolescent development. Panelists include: Dr. Julie Hanks - https://www.drjuliehanks.com Aimee Heffernan - https://www.facebook.com/aimeeheff  Clair Mellenthin - https://clairmellenthin.com Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

I'm excited to be joined by Corrine Christian for this epiosde of, "Ask Me Anything!" Corrine will be bringing questions from her group described below.  Corrine is a mother of 7 children, five via open adoption, married to her hubby for 21 years, left Mormonism in the spring of 2018. She started a private women’s online & in person group called “Women Transitioning amid Faith & Knowledge” which supports any women who’ve left all legalistic, high demand religions and  are focusing on what’s ahead, how to work through traumas and healing from adverse experiences inside those cults and out.  Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

Natasha and her team of providers discuss current events including updates to BYU honing their language on honor code language regarding LGBTQ students and the church's response via the Church News website, saying there are no changes regarding their LGBTQ stance, the "Barbie" movie and how it intersects with Mormonism, and the tragedy of the Maui fires. For more on Natasha, you can go here: https://symmetrypath.com/natasha-helfer For more on Allan Alexander: https://symmetrypath.com/glenn-allan-alexander For more on Jenny Elledge: https://symmetrypath.com/jenny-elledge For more on Michelle Peets: https://symmetrypath.com/michelle-peets Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

I’m so pleased to have sats down with Jeff Stewart today and have a conversation regarding what the last year has been like for him and his family as he received an ambiguous cancer diagnosis. He went through surgery and treatment not knowing at times along the way what his prognosis would look like. Cancer. A scary word none of us wants to hear. One of the ways he dealt with his fears and pain was to write: writing specifically geared towards his children.  Jeff Stewart is a healthcare consultant, scientist, inventor, award-winning playwright and father of seven. He was a Jeopardy! College Champion and runner-up in the Tournament of Champions. Jeff lives in Cary, North Carolina. You can find his book, "Living: Inspiration from a Father with Cancer," here.   authorjeffstewart@gmail.com   Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

I’m excited to have sat down and have a lovely vulva chat with the amazing April Davis. A compelling speaker, creative consultant, visual artist and wordsmith, April Davis has been featured in magazines, on podcasts, and on stage, sharing her wisdom, humor and knowledge as the creator of The Vagina Blog and The Vagina Blog Podcast. Her passion and drive have created an entire community around female body health, as she empowers women and vagina owners to love themselves fully while focusing on bringing light to taboo topics that we just don\’t talk enough about, like sex and periods, along with self-love and positivity. April has a background as a doula, a photographer and a birth assistant to a midwife - so she’s seen a lot of vaginas. She’s hoping to provide entertainment and education around topics we could all use more information about. You can follow her on  Instagram, and listen to her podcast. https://thevaginablog.com Some resources:  Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and

Back by popular demand, I had the amazing Dr. Lisa Diamond back on the show to discuss some recent research that has been making some buzz out of Utah State University. We are both concerned on how, without proper context, this kind of study will get weaponized within the LDS community as well as other high-demand religious communities.   The study can be found here:   "The Impact of Changes in Religion on Health Among Sexual Minority Mormons" by Dr. Tyler Lefevor   Check out another article:   "Jana Riess: Religion can help LGBTQ Latter-day Saints’ mental health, especially if they’re out of the closet"   Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini  

Jane Christie and Sara Delaney played a crucial role (along with many others) in the grassroots movement in the UK to have the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints require background checks of anyone who works with the youth of the Church. Unlike many other religious organizations, the Church has a history of NOT having Background Checks be a part of giving “callings” to folks who work with children and adolescents. This has been a concern many members worldwide have brought to the leader’s attention for decades. The Church has preferred to take an in-house approach to allegations of abuse, guiding bishops and other ecclesiastical leaders to first call the Church’s hotline (which is overseen by attorneys), instead of contacting local authorities. This is a huge win in getting the Church to comply with local governing bodies and their methodology in best protecting children and minors.  Jane Christie hosts the 21st Century Saints podcast and livestream. She joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da

In this episode, Natasha interviewed “Master of Disaster.” Dr. Randy Bell is a sociologist and an economist who specializes in disaster recovery projects. He has consulted in numerous world tragedies including the World Trade Center, Flight 93, Sandy Hook, BP Oil Spill, Hurricane Katrina, the Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test sidtes, the Northridge earthquake, OJ Simpson case, Jon Benet Ramsey case, Heaven’s Gate and hundreds of others. Dr. Bell has written a book about Post-Traumatic Thriving… Yes, you read that right. Not Disorder…THRIVING. His optimism about humans’ abilities to persevere and be resilient come not only through science, but through his lived experience having met thousands of people during catastrophic circumstances in their lives. Trauma is an unfortunate, yet common part of life. Having been a victim, survivor and thriver of sexual, spiritual and emotional trauma myself, I know first-hand how the stories we tell ourselves about trauma matter. We are resilient, adaptable creatures. Come join us fo

Natasha sat down with Brent Bokovoy to discuss his latest film, "Ronald’s Little Factory". Those growing up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receive clear messages that in order to abide by the “Law of Chastity” you should not fall to the temptation of masturbation. This belief, that masturbation is a sin, is common in fundamental, conservative & strict religions. Masturbation has long been seen within the scientific and pediatric communities as normative human behavior. We discussed the impacts these kinds of religious teachings have, when in essence, people are expected to go to war with a natural part of themselves. There will be a showing of the movie that I will host on August 3rd at 7 pm at Brewvies Cinema Pub in Salt Lake City for anyone who wants to join us. Brent Bokovoy is an award-winning filmmaker from San Diego. His short films have won awards from Universal Studios, The San Diego Film Awards, and the horror magazine Rue Morgue. His first feature film, Ronald’s Little Factor

I’m so excited I got to talk to Lacey Marie about her journey dealing with infection and illness due to breast implants. And how she has come to terms and peace with her boobless body as well as her advocacy work to educate others. After years of Mormonism and the need for perfection, Lacey Marie had gone to great lengths to fit into the ideal woman box that had been painted by society and The Mormon culture. In an effort to save her marriage she opted for a breast augmentation. At the end of it all she was left, as some would say, was deformed & completely boobless. However, she would describe herself as confident and free from all the self sabotage chains that once held her back. Lacey Marie’s Ted Talk: Why I am Boobless After Breast Implant Illness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_APuiU03k8 Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

Natasha is joined by Allan Alexander and Jenny Elledge to go over current topics including: mental health stigmas in certain religious populations award for advocacy against female genital mutilation wave of anti-transgender bills divide religious leaders For more on Symmetry Solutions, visit symmetrpath.com For more on Allan, visit: https://symmetrypath.com/glenn-allan-alexander For more on Jenny, visit: https://symmetrypath.com/jenny-elledge Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

Natasha Helfer tackles some questions from the audience in regards to sex therapy! Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini  

As I have watched in despair as the medical and general rights of our trans community members continue to get stripped in state after state, I am continually motivated to interview people who work in the field and can speak to the many issues I feel people are making decisions based on fear, bias, misinformation, bad science, bad politics and plain old discrimination. Dr. Lisa Hansen recently wrote an excellent op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune titled “Mental health professionals see the danger in Utah’s anti-transgender law.” We will discuss her many points, as well as what she is seeing on the ground since she runs a non-profit mental health clinic which specifically targets care for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Hopefully what Maya Angelou said is still true: when we know better we do better. To find out more about Dr. Hansen and her clinic, please visit: https://flourishtherapy.org/lisa-tensmeyer-hansen/ Please consider donating:  https://flourishtherapy.org/#donate Your donations go directly to supportin

I interviewed Dr. Lacey Bagley who was facing an ecclesiastical disciplinary council this past Sunday morning from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she was excommunicated. This episode was recorded the night before the excommunication.   Dr. Bagley is queer and is in a mixed-orientation marriage. She and her husband have been life long members of the church and have been devoted to their faith and faith community. Due to their decisions to find solutions to make their marriage sustainable and her strong advocacy as a mental health practitioner to support LGBTQ+ individuals in her community (she is the founder of the first mental health clinic in Provo, Utah owned and ran by queer professionals - Celebrate Therapy), she is being charged with adultery and apostasy.   Dr. Bagley taught as an adjunct professor and earned her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University in 2021.   Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

Natasha is joined by Jenny Elledge as they discuss current events at the intersection of religion, sexuality, and mental health. For more on Symmetry Solutions, visit symmetrpath.com For more on Jenny, visit: https://symmetrypath.com/jenny-elledge Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

Have you ever thought about how you would react if your child came out as LGBTQ+?  Has this already happened? Do you have any regrets? Do you wonder if you were supportive enough?    Even though I am a certified sex therapist and a licensed family therapist, I faced some of the biases and mistakes I made when my kiddo came out. I am sitting down for a frank discussion with Rowan as they look back on the journey to allyship.    Rowan Helfer Parker (they/them) is a biology student at the University of Utah, with their studies focusing on ecology, evolution, and the environment. They are bisexual and non-binary and have been out to their family for several years. Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini

When we go through faith transitions, people tend to respond in all different kinds of ways. Feeling fear, confusion, anger, and betrayal are super common. And many of us cry, rage, and go into funks of depression - also, totally normal. At the same time, laughter and using creativity are also ways people heal. Today we will be talking with Jennifer Renart, co-creator of the ExMo Candle Company. She says on her website: “I love making ex-Mormon candles. It’s been beyond cathartic pouring my issues with the church into a jar and then lighting it on fire.”  Jennifer’s family converted to Mormonism when she was six. A bishop’s interview at 15 started severe feelings of worthlessness, which only intensified during her time at Southern Virginia University. Issues with Prop 8 and the A Year of Polygamy podcast pushed her into a faith transition. Making candles has been a powerful part of healing. When I burn the “Licked Cupcake” scented candle--I feel it. After spending a decade thinking she was alone and worthless

Have you seen those awesome cartoons where Jesus is holding a rainbow sheep? Where Jesus gets all sassy with hypocritical and mean churchgoers who are ostracizing whole segments of our population? Where Jesus is walking out of church holding hands with the trans sheep?They are all sooooo bad ass!! I got to interview the man behind the scenes, David Hayward (aka The Naked Pastor)! I couldn’t be more excited to have heard his religious deconstruction story, how he got started with his art and some of what he has to say to so many who are done with hypocritical, harmful religions and their practices.  In 2010, after 30 years as a pastor, David Hayward left the ministry to focus on NakedPastor and the community that was emerging around it. It’s now his full-time gig! With a Masters in Theological Studies, as well as Diplomas in Religious Studies and Ministry, and University Teaching, he is no stranger to belief systems.Beyond his art, he’s also written 9 books and posts several times a month on his blog. If you’r

Thank you for joining us for a Symmetry Solutions panel discussion. I'm joined by Jenny Elledge and Michelle Peets as we discuss: SEC and financial fines of the LDS Church - mental health implications Social Safety study finds high number of Utah women feel chronically unsafe New BYU President Holland speaking at public university Ongoing domestic violence concerns in religious communities   Visit our website to learn more about our bios and group practice: symmetrypath.com. Please consider donating to keep this podcast going at natashahelfer.com. Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini