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For more than 45 years, Sunstone has been exploring Mormonism in all its expressions through our publications and symposiums. The Sunstone Podcast gathers the best of these explorations, including compelling sessions from our worldwide symposiums as well as interviews, book reviews, and deep dives into all things Mormon. Hosted by Stephen Carter.

Listen to the Sunstone Podcast on iTunes or Spotify, or view and stream any of the episodes from this podcast on the Sunstone website.

Episode 9: Sunstone History Podcast

February 24, 2019

An introduction to Sunstone’s new Mormon History podcast. deep dive into the weirdest parts of Mormonism. There’s the Mormon history you do know … and the Mormon history you don’t. …

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Episode 8: February 2019 Mormon News Round-Up

February 17, 2019

Join John Larsen, Lindsay Hansen Park, Tim Coray, and Cristina Rosetti as they discuss the Mormon news updates from February 2019. Listen to this episode here. 

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Episode 7: You Can Leave the Church, But Can’t Leave It Alone?

February 10, 2019

In this special episode from Sunstone Phoenix, John Larsen debunks the myth that “you can leave the church but can’t leave it alone,” and suggests ways of rewriting this old …

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Episode 6: An Interview with the Truth and Transparency Foundation

February 7, 2019

It’s not just the LDS Church that needs transparency. John Larsen interviews Ryan McKnight and Ethan Dodge of the Truth and Transparency Foundation about their work leaking corporate and organizational …

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Episode 5: Ponzi Schemes and Mormonism

January 28, 2019

Join John Larsen as he interviews one of the most preeminent litigators in Utah Mark Pugsley about ponzi schemes and their frequency in Mormon communities. About this guest: Mark Pugsley’s …

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Episode 4: Sunstone Firesides

January 21, 2019

Join John as he introduces the Sunstone Firesides podcast with Lindsay Hansen Park and Cristina Rosetti. Listen to this episode by clicking here.

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Episode 3: Cristina Rosetti and Lindsay Hansen Park

January 13, 2019

Join Sunstone podcast host John Larsen for a lighthearted discussion with Lindsay Hansen Park and Cristina Rosetti, reviewing this month’s news in Mormonism.   Listen to this episode here.

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Episode 2: Jeffrey S. Anderson

January 6, 2019

This is your brain on God. John Larsen interviews Neuroradiologist Jeff Anderson about his study of the religious brain. Jeffrey S. Anderson, MD, PhD directs the fMRI Neurosurgical Mapping Service …

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Episode 1: Sam Young

January 2, 2019

Who is the man behind the Protect LDS Children movement that has garnered international attention, placing the spotlight on the risk of sexually explicitly interviews for Mormon youth? Join Sunstone …

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Episode 0: John Larsen

December 19, 2018

In January of 2019, Sunstone is launching a new family of podcasts, giving you a resource for unbiased information and thoughtful, accepting community. Donate to Sunstone now to help us launch, …

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About the Host

Portrait-Stephen

Stephen Carter stumbled into the Mormon Studies community in 1998 when he became Eugene England's administrative assistant at Utah Valley University, helping him establish the world's first Mormon Studies program. After earning an MFA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in narrative studies, Stephen joined Sunstone as its director of publications in 2008. Since then, he has had a front-row seat to everything from Proposition 8 to the Ordain Women movement to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign to the effects of COVID-19 on the the LDS Church. From all this, Stephen has found that Mormonism is most interesting where its tensions are greatest. 

Stephen's tension-marked life in Mormonism can be encapsulated in two experiences. The first was when he was fired from being an early-morning seminary teacher for "raising more questions than he answered," but on his last day, receiving a letter from a student saying that her time in his classes had reactivated her interest in the Church. The second was the year he spent attending a Unitarian Universalist congregation on Sunday mornings before rushing back to his ward to fulfill his calling as Sunday school president. (He still attends both congregations.)