An ExMo and a NeverMo Walk Into a Bar... Podcast

After a person leaves the Mormon faith, they're often left asking themselves, now what? Where do I find spirituality now? In this episode, Kate talks with fellow exmo Courtney Pearl about her spiritual path within paganism. They discuss relationship with the earth and ritual for the holidays.

The new patriarch is in town! In this episode, Kate & Erika discuss the Mormon church's new prophet, Dallin H. Oaks. The man comes with controversy and they unpack it with their signature humor, empathy, and cocktails.  Recorded in Salt Lake City this podcast is NOT intended to strengthen the faith of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Listener discretion is advised. Please visit our website: www.twonomos.com Follow Two NoMos on Facebook Follow Kate on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram @Midlife Exmo Follow Erika's on TikTok as @imerikana or on her blog at www.erikarachelstone.com #exmormon #nevermomon #mormonculture #utahculture #thechurchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints

Megan Conner shares her inside perspective on the Lori Vallow murders, with René Steelman stepping in for Kate.

Mormon missions are grueling. Kate reveals all the strict, oppressive rules missionaries must adhere to while providing FREE labor to the church as sales reps who pay for their own missions. It's basically an MLM from hell, with no hope of ever making so much as a penny in return....

Abusers, manipulators, groomers are all allowed to stay in the Mormon church. Some are even promoted to the upper echelons of leadership. But Natasha Helfer was excommunicated for refusing to say things like "Masturbation is a sin." This is her s(ex) communication story.

Megan Conner is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story. In this episode, she discusses recovery after being trafficked as a seven-year-old child, and leaving an abusive marriage as an adult. Now she is thriving and using her voice to help others. Special thanks to René Steelman for stepping in once again as a stellar co-host! If you aren't already listening to her podcast, "The Midlife Revolution With Megan Conner," check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/@Third_Verse!

Being forced to do things in the sack is a-ok according to the Mormon church, as long as it’s to “keep your family together.” 😳🤮 Two NoMos loved chatting with Joe Rawlins on this episode of, “An ExMo and a NeverMo Walk Into a Bar…”!   Check out Joe's podcast, "The Church of Korihor," here: https://www.youtube.com/@hellfireagency.

Two NoMos continue to explore the lies, fabrications, and discrepancies from the Mormon church that were exposed by the CES Letter. Joe Rawlins lends his expertise. Check out his podcast, "The Church of Korihor," here: https://www.youtube.com/@hellfireagency

Joseph Smith was a fraud and a scheister. There is SO MUCH information readily available to refute most of his claims, it’s bonkers that there is even a single member left in the Mormon church. Two NoMos absolutely LOVED chatting with Rob Tobler on this episode of our podcast, “An ExMo and a NeverMo Walk Into a Bar…”! You can find more of Rob's content here: https://www.tiktok.com/@president_please_help_me

Two NoMos dive further into the lies exposed by the CES letter with special guest, Rob Tobler. You can find more content from Rob on TikTok at @president_please_help_me.

Most people are annoyed when the Mormon missionaries come a knockin'. Erika is not most people...

All of Erika's hairs stood on end when she heard this talk by Alyssa Grenfell at the Sunstone Symposium. Abuse of children is actually baked in to the structure of the church.  Bone chilling. Check out the podcast, "Architecture of Abuse" at https://architectureofabuse.com/ to learn more.

Mormons like to say they are "In the world but not of the world." But the very worldly messaging young missionary men receive is anything but pious, and about as basic and worldly as you can get...

Kate and Erika had a phenomenal time at the Sunstone Symposium, attending talks by Natasha Helfer, John Dehlin, and Alyssa Grenfell. In this episode, they discuss the highlights.

Guest René Steelman's son died on Christmas Day. Because she had recently left the Mormon faith, no one from the church bothered to reach out to her with comfort. Their "love" was conditional on her being a member. Which is to say, not really love at all. Check out this phenomenal woman's podcast, "She Became Visible," here: https://www.youtube.com/@SheBecameVisible513/videos.

The CES letter that highlights all the hypocrisy, falsehoods, and discrepancies of the Mormon church broke Kate's "shelf." So she informed her bishop with confidence and in no uncertain terms that she was leaving.

Clip - Kate, Erika, and René discuss the excommunication of therapist Natasha Helfer from the Mormon church for sharing factual information with her clients. She refused to spread the harmful messaging that masturbation is a "sin," and so she got the boot.

It’s been two years since Kate left the LDS Church—and what better way to mark the occasion than with a deep dive into the infamous document that helped blow her shelf to smithereens? In this episode, Kate and Erika unpack the CES Letter: what it is, how it landed, and why it continues to shake testimonies and stir up existential crises across Mormonism. Expect laughter, tears, a little righteous rage, and a whole lot of “Ohhh, that’s why that never made sense!” Whether you’ve read the CES Letter cover to cover or you’re just Mormon-curious, this episode is your invitation to question boldly and heal loudly.

We tried, we really tried to get through a significant chunk of and episode of Ward Radio" with Joe Rawlins on his podcast, "The Church of Korihor." But these Two No Mos just couldn't keep their mouths shut when preposterous statements were made by the show's hosts. See the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3orkcY7uU8&t=3551s

In this episode, an ExMo and a NeverMo and another ExMo talk about the effects of Mormonism on mental health. Buckle up for some deep conversations, laughter, and an announcement about the future of the podcast! Check out the article from the Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/2023/6/20/23759342/latter-day-saint-mental-health-research/ Recorded at Land of a Thousand Hills in South Jordan, UT, this podcast is NOT intended to strengthen the faith of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Listener discretion is advised. ***WARNING: This podcast is created for adult audiences only. Content warnings for this episode include explicit language. Our website www.twonomos.com is still under construction. Until it's published... Follow Two NoMos on Facebook Follow Kate on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram @Midlife Exmo Follow Erika on TikTok as @imerikana or on her blog at www.erikarachelstone.com Follow René on TikTok as Go Gray Dame and follower her podcast, She Became Visible here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-became-visible/id1620041558

Kate and Erika had a wonderful chat with Jonathan Alder, who wrote “Closeted,” about his experiences as a gay student at BYU. Spoiler alert: The experiences were not good. You can find his book here: amazon.com/Closeted-Life-Gay-Student-Memoir-ebook/dp/B0B3JFGRGB

Sam Nieves is gaying away the the pray! While he underwent destructive and traumatic conversion therapy, where he was praised for h@ting himself, he is now healing and thriving and helping others to do the same through the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network. You can find more information about his impactful non-profit here: www.conversionsurvivor.org #AnExMoandaNeverMoWalkIntoaBar #TwoNoMos #podcast #ExMo #NeverMo #LGBTQ #Pride #conversiontherpy #conversiontherapysurvivor #gayawaythepray #conversiontherapyiswrong #loveislove #loveyourself #bornthisway #thechurchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #mormon #lds #exlds

Chris Davis Proud reads from her book, “Worthy.”  What an honor it was to hear this “ExMo Lesbo’s” story, from trials to triumph. She is using her voice to help others find theirs.  ♥️🧡💛💚💙💜 You can find more information about her and her book here: chrisdavisproud.com.

Kate embraces feminism. Erika, as usual, roars.   We loved being guests on the Podcast, "The Church of Korihor" with Joe Rawlins! We discussed everything from feminism to sex to the brilliant film Heretic. It was a hoot! See the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3orkcY7uU8&t=3551s

Mormon bishops demand that you confess every last juicy detail of your "sins." Nothing creepy at all!

In this episode, roles are reversed as René takes on the role of cohost and Jaime becomes the guest. Jaime describes the challenges of being a transwoman in predominantly Mormon culture. 

Trigger Warning: Suicidal Ideation Author Chris Davis Proud talks about a dark time in her life when she was a closeted member of the Mormon church. While this story has a happy ending, this phenomenal woman certainly experienced some trials. But ultimately, she triumphed, and is using her voice to help others to feel their WORTH. Learn more about her journey, and check out her uplifting book, "Worthy" here: https://chrisdavisproud.com/.   

When Kate left the Mormon Church, Erika had SO MANY questions. So we started a podcast. This is our origin story. Told in under 30 seconds.

A wonderful (substitute) ExMo and a NeverMo Walk Into a Bar with René Steelman! We loved chatting with this phenomenal woman, and host of the podcast, She Became Visible.  When she left the Mormon church after decades of service, she stepped into her own agency, wants, and visibility. Catch her podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@SheBecameVisible513.

Chris's story is heartbreaking but ultimately joyful. Growing up in the Mormon Church, she could never live authentically as her true self. But now she is OUT and thriving. And she even shares a tale about telling her bishop exactly what she thought of him! She details this all in her uplifting book, "Worthy." You can learn more about this magnificent human and her upcoming projects at chrisdavisproud.com or on TikTok @ChrisDavisProud.

Your Two NoMos are devoting June to PRIDE! In this episode, we chat with Sam Nieves, of the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network. He talks about his journey out of the Mormon Church after being subjected to the harmful practice of "conversion therapy," and embracing his true self. Finding community and validation through the support of the non-profit for which he works (conversionsurvivor.org/) has been key. You can also find Sam on TikTok @CantPrayMeAway.

After shooting a video in which Two NoMos Kate and Erika attempted to enter a Mormon Temple, and subsequently were met with excruciating hellfire, they were informed this was the wrong approach. So they corrected their error. Hee hee....

Two NoMos Kate and Erika had the opportunity to sit down with author Jonathan Alder at the Utah Pride Festival.  He wrote the book Closeted about his experiences as a gay student at BYU. His story is heartbreaking, poignant, and ultimately joyful and healing, as he has stepped into his true self, and is living authentically and thriving! His book is available at https://www.amazon.com/Closeted-Life-Gay-Student-Memoir-ebook/dp/B0B3JFGRGB.

Two NoMos go LIVE for the first time at the Utah PRIDE Festival! It's a little loud, it's a little messy, it's a lot colorful, but so is life. Happy PRIDE, Everyone! Kate and Erika were at the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network booth, raising funds for this important and impactful organization. If you are looking for this type of support, or you would like to support the wonderful work this organization is doing, please visit: conversionsurvivor.org/.

Two NoMos had too much fun at Pride With Gay Jesus!

The Mormon church humiliates trans folks who dare to attend services by demanding that they be escorted to use the restroom, but is perfectly fine with sending children in to be alone with bishops who ask them VERY intimate questions.   MAKE IT MAKE SENSE....

Two NoMos had a blast at Daybreak Pride! We'll be celebrating Pride all throughout the month of June.  Happy Pride to everyone!!!!

What better way to celebrate PRIDE than to hang with Gay Jesus (aka Ryan Barlow)? He shares his evolution from devout member of the Mormon church, to beacon of hope, love, and support for the LGBTQ community as rainbow, sparkly Jesus.

To open season two of our podcast, we had a very special, vey bedazzled, sparkly guest. It was magical!

We had so much fun with guest Gay Jesus aka Ryan Josiah aka Ryan Barlow, that we decided to have a quick, impromptu, informal photoshoot with him after the recording! This first episode of season two drops on Tuesday, June 3.

Two NoMos have been on a short recording break to gear up for lots of upcoming events and engagements. But next Tuesday, June 3, we're back, Baby! We open season two with very special guest, "Gay Jesus," aka, Ryan Josiah. Spoiler alert: he is neither Jesus nor gay. But he is a local Salt Lake celebrity and activist, fighting the good fight for marginalized groups, particularly LGBTQ. And we were super stoked and honored that he shared his story and time with us.   Tune in on June 3 for the first episode of season two of, "An ExMo and a NeverMo Walk Into a Bar..."!

Folks without a Temple "recommend" are not permitted to enter the Mormon Temple. We didn't realize how dire the consequences would be for doing this... Erika tries the Temple for the very first time, and Kate returns for the first time after leaving the church. Don't try this at home, kids.

Can Kate say "See You Next Tuesday"? Find out in this Trying Moment!

Nothing like "good" Mormons telling racist jokes. Thanks to Channel Achenbach for sharing her afternoon and her story with us!

Women are asked to "cover their faces" during parts of Mormon Temple ceremonies.  This is a quote from a woman whose sister had a panic attack and broke down sobbing the first time she went through the Temple. None of her friends or family were permitted to comfort her, as everyone is required to keep their heads down and plow through the ceremony.

Like Jesus, the Mormon Temple is exclusive and unavailable to many. Wait a minute...

The Mormon Temple and all its rituals are creepy. In this episode, the Two NoMos dive further into the cult-like rituals and share some terrifying quotes from ExMormons who went through the Temple and came out scathed and traumatized.

To enter the Mormon Temple, a member needs a "recommend." In other words, one needs to be deemed "worthy" enough, and of course, the hefty tithing needs to be paid. God always needs money. While this flies in the face of everything espoused by Jesus (the man, the myth, the legend - however you conceive of this figure), it also doesn't seem to be quite worth it. Once members are "inside" and have the full Temple experience, many feel slighted, anxious, or just plain creeped out by the full-on cultiness. In this episode, the Two NoMos explore some of these culty rituals.

On his mission for the Mormon church, Bryan went to his bishop, distraught by some natural feelings he was having as a young man. Instead of normalizing this, the bishop asked him a humiliating question and shamed him.