Episodes

Religion professor and popular LDS podcaster and apologist Jared Halverson set off a firestorm this week with a video urging women to stay in the Church, even if they feel unseen, unheard, and second-class. The backlash was swift and fierce, with women from across the Mormon spectrum calling out the spiritual harm embedded in his message. On Mormonism After Dark, RFM and Bill Reel brought in powerhouse voices Dr. Julie Hanks and Britt Hartley to dissect the issue — and their responses struck a n...

What happens when your faith tells you that your identity is a flaw to be corrected? In this episode, we sit down with Sam Nieves, a conversion therapy survivor, board member of the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network, and a clinically trained therapist with a background in Cognitive Psychology. Sam takes us deep into his lived experience growing up in Mormonism, where his sexuality and even his skin color were framed through a toxic theology of righteousness. In a LDS/Mormon belief system where...

BREAKING: The LDS Church has quietly updated its official Gospel Topics essay on Race and the Priesthood — and yes, the shift is significant. In this episode of Mormon Newscast, we take a deep dive into the newest revision to one of Mormonism’s most controversial topics: the Church’s historic ban on Black men holding the priesthood and Black members entering the temple. The Gospel Topics essay has long danced around accountability, but a recent update subtly shifts language and tone — raising se...

This Week on the Mormon Newscast we take a look at the recent news of the charges against a Utah Fire chief who was charged with sexual exploitation of a child, and the judge who released him on bail who is alleged to have had a sexual relationship and shared child porn with each other. We also dive into Benson Boone discussing his time as a Mormon, the LDS Church’s new book on the Young Women’s organization, a Temple Update, and a strange mass BYU Acceptance text. The post Utah Officials Being...

Ep. 184 | Almost Awakened In this episode we explore how nervous system dysregulation affects your health, relationships, emotions, and identity—and how understanding this system can radically change the way you live and heal. Welcome to the reboot of the Almost Awakened Podcast—where big awakenings meet real-life healing. Bill Reel is joined by his new co-host, trauma coach Teresa Hobbs, and they are kicking things off with a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood—and most powerful—keys t...

When Jacob Hansen got called out for his sleight-of-hand tactics, he didn’t offer a defense—he offered a diagnosis: Kolby Reddish and RFM are “psychotic.” But if anyone’s losing touch with reality, it might be the guy slicing and dicing evidence like a Benihana chef trying to make Book of Mormon logic sizzle. In this episode, RFM and Kolby turn the tables on Jacob’s latest attempt to revise reality. Watch as the apologetic illusionist gets exposed for doing what he always does: cutting out inc...

Have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon Challenge? It is a way Mormons have of trying to prove the Book of Mormon is true, by challenging a non-believer to write a comparable book in the same amount of time as Joseph Smith used on the Book of Mormon. Well, it looks like RFM may have done that very thing. Can you imagine what will happen to the apologists if it turns out Radio Free Mormon is the one who beat the Book of Mormon challenge??? They’ll be like those Nazi guys at the end of Raiders ...

Leaving a high-demand religion can be a painful and transformative experience, but how do we ensure we don’t repeat the same patterns of judgment and exclusion we once faced? In this episode, we explore the cycle of harm, the dangers of tribalism, and how we can engage critically without dehumanizing others. Drawing from philosophy, psychology, and personal reflection, we examine how anger can be valid but also limiting if it leads us to mirror the very systems we left behind. True freedom lies ...

How do U.S. churches take advantage of tax exemptions, and should this be allowed? These and other issues are investigated by filmmaker Nathan Apffel in his upcoming documentary series, “The Religion Business.” And why does Nathan consider the LDS Church to be “the most terrifying” of them all? Join us and find out! [Mormonism Live 223] RESOURCES: Instagram: @religionbusiness Filmmaker Exposes ‘The Religion Business’ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/controversial-documentary-sheds-lig...

Mormons are taught not to lie. And for the most part, they don’t. One of the only times Mormons will consistently lie to you is when talking about their religion. Any time a Mormon has to lie (or stretch the truth) to make Mormonism look good, it is completely permissible. I know this may be hard to believe. But we have proof. We take as an example a Mormon apologist named Jacob Hansen sitting down with non-Mormon Alex O’Connor to discuss Mormonism. We clock Jacob Hansen using deceptive techni...

[Mormonism Live 222] Faith, Finances, and Fraud? Buckle up, because this episode dives into one of the wildest financial moments in Mormon history! (And that’s saying a lot) What happens when a prophet ventures into banking? In the 1830s, Joseph Smith and other early Mormon leaders launched the Kirtland Safety Society, a financial institution built on faith, community trust, and a vision of economic independence. But within just a year, the bank collapsed, leaving behind lawsuits, financial ruin...

March 10th 2025 – On This Week’s Mormon Newscast we take a look at the Mormon Masculine “Manosphere” and the push by some content creators for a stronger masculinity. We also look at some recent LDS Data that has come out pointing to more men than women are staying in the Church. Should Church Help Pay for Utah City Roads made our headlines and we round out the Newscast with a story of Rainbow Flags Disappearing From BYU and lastly What Happened to Those Missionaries? And there is even a little ...

When a Mormon apologist accidentally broadcasts damning evidence against Joseph Smith, RFM just has to do a show about it! The story is made only the more remarkable when the apologist actually calls the evidence he presents against Joseph Smith “damning.” What apologist would do such a thing? None other than our good friend, Jacob Hansen. Join RFM and Kolby Reddish for an astonishing and hilarious episode! One correction and one clarification: 1. Jacob’s re-uploaded video is back up now—We cou...

INSIDE THE LDS CHURCH: CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS & THE SCMC EXPOSED! In this bombshell episode, a former Mormon Church employee who worked with confidential records and the Strengthening Church Members Committee (SCMC) comes forward to expose the behind-the-scenes machinations of the LDS Church. From secret surveillance of members to how the Church tracks and manages dissent, to how the Church handles those who ask their names to be removed, this insider reveals shocking details that the Church doesn...

[Mormonism Live 220] Bill Reel and RFM sit down with LDS Author Carrie Sweet to discuss her new book “Goodbye Magic Undies” and the journey that brought her to writing it. Book on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Magic-Undies-High-Control-Relationships/dp/B0DV7GPKH3/ref=sr_1_1 Help support Bill Reel & Radio Free Mormon in making informative entertaining content that shines a light on truth and leads with transparency. DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Join our Mail...

TONIGHT on The Mormon Newscast! March 3rd 2025 LDS WEALTH HOARDING NOT ACCORDING TO ELDER BEDNAR Elder Bednar and the LDS Church are doubling down—denying their mind-blowing wealth. What’s the real story? We’re breaking it down! Is Mormonism (and Christianity) in Freefall? The latest PEW Research just dropped—and the results might be shocking. Is religion collapsing? What about Mormonism? Fairview Temple Drama Continues! New updates on the battle over the Fairview Temple and its Mayor—plus a biz...

The LDS Church’s attempt to sugarcoat Joseph Smith’s polygamy for kids backfired hard. Faced with fierce backlash, they retracted the cartoon using a laughably flimsy excuse—just another chapter in their long history of dodging accountability. Tune in to this episode as we peel back the layers on this circus and ask the tough question: when will the church own its missteps? We also look at a recent “Award of Tolerance” imparted to David Bednar and the LDS Church as well as a few other stories wi...

RFM presents a recently revealed telephone call recording from Jenn Kamp to a couple of post-Mormons trying to dig up dirt on John Dehlin! You won’t believe it! This you have got to hear with your own ears! The post Jenn Kamp Tries To Dig Up Dirt On John Dehlin: RFM: 386 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

[Mormonism Live 219] Join RFM and Bill Reel in this riff-filled episode of Mormonism Live as they dive into the world of Ward Radio’s recent rhetoric, with special guest “Cultch” from The Cultural Hall Podcast tagging along for the ride. Channeling the playful yet biting tone of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the trio sets up shop in their virtual “theater” and watches as the recent work of Ward Radio rolls in. With a sharp sense of humor and insight, they offer hilarious commentary, deconstructi...

RFM and Kolby Reddish do a deep-dive analysis of Mormon apologist and author of the Light and Truth Letter, Austin Fife. The post Will The Real Austin Fife Please Stand Up? : RFM: 385 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

The Huntsman tithing lawsuit against the LDS Church has now been dismissed by the entire 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A seasoned lawyer takes you through the ins and outs of the opinion, explaining what happened, why it happened, and what happens next! The post Lawyer Examines Huntsman v. LDS Church Lawsuit: RFM: 384 appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

[Mormonism Live 218] Is the Latter-day Saint community a safe community? We take a look at that very question and investigate what it would mean and what would it look like if the LDS Church took seriously the Safeguarding of the Latter-day Saints. What can Mormonism learn from accepted Safeguarding practices and what is one group doing to raise awareness of here the Church falls short. https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/21st-Century-Saints-Info-Pack-Final-Pri...

Mormon Newscast Feb 16th 2025 – This week on The Mormon Newscast, we dive into the story out of Cody, Wyoming, where the LDS Church has admitted that a city official provided misleading legal advice, leading to the controversial approval of the Cody temple. As local opposition to the temple’s size and lighting grows, the Church is now shifting blame — raising serious questions about transparency, influence, and accountability. We also take a look at the planned open house for the Salt Lake Templ...

In the long and winding court battle between John Dehlin and Jenn Kamp, the trail may be finally coming to a close after three years. RFM has covered this story from the start, and leads you through the final resolution of the matter in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tacoma. Additionally, we take a somewhat lighthearted tour through the high-points and low-points of this case from its inception. RFM throws in several “behind-the-scenes” stories for the first time for added interest. The post John Deh...