PODCAST · religion
wHoly Human
by Serena Aguirre
Bringing disability and neurodiversity to the pulpit: An LDS Come Follow Me podcast and more. Dedicated to amplifying disabled perspectives in religious settings, especially within and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Episodes
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Ep. 40: Kim Siever and our Covenant of Zion
Kim Siever is a Canadian LDS father and journalist who has arthritis, asthma and ADHD. In this interview, Serena and Katie discuss Kim's experience with how the concept and focus of "reverence" in the church affects his worship as a person with ADHD, his diagnosis journey, the idea of sensory…
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Ep. 39: Maggie Slighte - "Becoming the Person I'm Meant to Be"
This is a follow-up interview with Maggie Slighte, whose first interview we released two weeks ago! Maggie Slighte (she/her, they/them) is a neurodivergent and disabled, writer, Tiktok creator, DID system, and former Mormon. In this interview, we find out why Maggie decided to remove their…
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Ep. 38: Maggie Slighte, p. 1 - Rebel for God
Today we will be sharing the conversation we had with Maggie Slighte back in 2021. Maggie is well known in the Mormon podcasting community, as one-fourth of the now-concluded podcast, Strangers No More, which joined wHoly Human in the Dialogue Podcast Network in 2021. But Maggie's creative juices...
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Ep. 37: Early Disabled Saints and How to Find Them
wHoly Human is proud to join with Professor Bryce Fifield in this bonus episode to share stories of early disabled saints. Fifield is a professor of Special Education and Rehabilitation at Utah State University. His career within the disability studies field spans decades. He has also had many...
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Ep. 36: Officially Declaring a Reason to Mourn
Here, Serena and Katie cover Doctrine and Covenants 137–138, and Official Declarations 1 and 2. This will be their last Come Follow Me of the year, but not their last episode release of the year. Stay tuned for more wHoly Human content!
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Ep. 35: Mourning in "Liberty" - D&C 133-136
Two weeks' worth of LDS Come Follow Me study and commentary, covering Doctrine & Covenants Sections 133-136. In this episode, we deepen the conversation around 19th century Mormon polygamy and disability/neurodivergency. We mention various instances of disabled and neurodivergent people in...
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Ep. 34: BONUS - We Need To Talk About How We Talk About Polygamy
A solo episode by Serena, where she breaks down how one cannot speak about polygamy without also speaking about how it is shaped by and connected to disability, neurodiversity and queerness. If we only talk about the negative aspects of 19th century Mormon polygamy, while talking about both...
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Ep. 33: Desire, Logic and Personal Revelation - D+C 125-132
Two weeks worth of Come Follow Me covering D+C 125 through 132. In this episode, Serena and Katie discuss how privilege plays a role in the gathering of the saints despite desire (or lack of), the circumstances around Brigham Young's call to stay with his family, the nuanced space Joseph Smith…
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Ep. 32: Privilege in the Very Jaws of Hell - D&C 121-124
Two weeks of LDS Come Follow Me commentary, covering Doctrine & Covenants sections 121 through 124. In this episode, we provide context for the circumstances that led to Joseph Smith's imprisonment in Liberty Jail, and explain that the tension between non-Mormons and members of the Church in...
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Ep. 31: A Blind High Councillor and Disability Tithes - D&C 111-120
Two weeks' worth of LDS Come Follow Me study, covering Doctrine & Covenants Sections 111 through 120. In this episode we discuss how Thomas Marsh left the LDS Church in 1838 for legitimate (non-cow-milk-related) reasons and what that teaches us about allyship, and what it means to "arise and sit...
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Ep. 30: Appendages, Auxiliaries, & Accessibility
Two weeks' worth of LDS Come Follow Me commentary, discussing Doctrine & Covenants Sections 106-110. In this episode, we highlight the importance of intersectionality, and how disability and neurodivergence often come last in intersectional discussions. We talk about how behavioral expectations…
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Ep. 29: When Violent Words Spur Violent Actions
Serena and Katie of wHoly Human cover two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me in this episode- Doctrine and Covenants 98-105. In this episode, they discuss Elder Holland's recent talk given at BYU, which has had harmful affects on LGBTQ+ people and their allies...
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Ep. 28: Ode to Frederick G. Williams
Two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me study, covering Doctrine & Covenants 93-97. In this episode, we start by sharing the recent LDS First Presidency announcement regarding COVID-19 precautions for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and offering our commentary on it. Going...
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Ep. 27: Word of Wisdom - For Whom?
Two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me study, covering Doctrine & Covenants 88-92. In this episode, we start by sharing information on how to order customized garments, for those in need of that resource. We also correct information we shared in Episode 25 about The Indian Placement Program, using...
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Ep. 26: Light Unto Every Being
Two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me study, covering Doctrine & Covenants 84-87. In this episode, we celebrate a verse in section 84 which affirms that godly knowledge and influence is sent to every human on Earth, regardless of race, religion, neurotype, disability, country, gender, sexual...
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Ep. 25: "Creatures" and Old Stories
We're back at it with Come Follow Me! This is two weeks' worth of study and commentary, covering Doctrine & Covenants 77-83. In this episode, we discuss: The dehumanization of certain peoples in the scriptures, metaphors vs. literal interpretations in the Book of Revelations, confusing and...
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Ep. 24: Saylor- Spiritually Diverse Paralympian
Everyone meet Saylor O'Brien! Saylor is Paralympic Alpine Skier. She began skiing at the age of four, and is now working toward competing in the 2022 Paralympics in Beijing, China. Saylor was born with Spina Bifida, and born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She recently…
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Ep. 23: First Shall Be Last, Last Shall Be First
In this episode we discuss two weeks’ worth of Come Follow Me, covering Doctrine & Covenants 51-59. We call out the hypocrisy and tragedy of scriptures with admonitions to care for the “poor and needy” that cover up contextual ableism and discrimination. We point out ways the the Church can be…
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Ep. 22: Amy - "Put on Your Legs!"
This week we continue our series of bringing disabled and neurodivergent people to our virtual pulpit! Please note: The views expressed by our interviewees do not necessarily represent our views at wHoly Human. We strive to have healthy dialogue as we unroot our own internalized ableism, however,...
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Ep. 21: Spiritual Manifestations & Gifts
Two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me, covering Doctrine & Covenants 46-50. TW: Conversation about gaslighting spiritual experiences and gaslighting with hearing voices or seeing visions. In this episode, we discuss what it means to "cast someone out" of a church meeting, what the "proper way" is to...
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Ep. 20: "However..." Disability & Neurodiverse Vocab Part 2
Since many of our followers might be engaging with the disability and social justice communities for the first time, we decided to produce an episode dedicated to defining important terms. We use these all the time in our podcast, so feel free to come back to this episode as a reference whenever...
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Ep. 19: Boundaries & Strategic Compassion
Two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me, covering Doctrine & Covenants 41 through Doctrine & Covenants 45. In this episode, we discuss what it means to have boundaries when doing advocacy work, especially as we try to minister intersectionally. Looking to Jesus Christ, we can see that it's more…
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Ep. 18: Austin - Out from the Tent & Out of the Closet
In this episode, we interview Austin Jorgensen! Austin was born with Cerebral Palsy (Triplegia). He has had several surgeries in his life (including brain surgery!) along with AFOs and series casting during childhood but currently doesn’t require any walking aids. Austin was born a member of the...
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Ep. 17: Jesus Christ Cares About Consent
Two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me discussion, comprising Doctrine & Covenants Sections 30-40. In this episode we touch on missionary work, religious victimization, loads and loads of ableist metaphors, free will, body intersectionality, and consent when it comes to interacting with someone…
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Ep. 16: Sandra - Autistic, Agender, "Active" Mormon!
April is Autism Acceptance Month and we are here for it! We're starting it off with an interview with Sandra. Sandra is a multiply Neurodivegent, Queer person who is working to raise four Neurodivergent people and support her wife through her demanding career without messing everything up too...
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Ep. 15: The Body - Resurrection & the Fall
For many disabled people, resurrection is a complicated, often painful topic. This Easter Sunday, we place Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead in a disabled context, tenderly exploring what it means to have a body, especially one that is imperfect and mortal.
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Ep. 14: Joseph - All About the Plans!
Introducing Joseph Featherstone! Joseph, who is Deaf, is a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He currently works as a manager and lead at GoReact, an online feedback software company for ASL and interpreting students. He also teaches ASL at Brigham Young...
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Ep. 13: A Place for Patience?
In this Come Follow Me episode we discuss two weeks' worth of scripture reading: Doctrine & Covenants 23-26 and 27-28. With the trials that Joseph and Emma Smith encountered in this time of their lives, we delve into what it means to be patient and why that can be harder for disabled and...
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Ep. 12: Travis - to Act or Be Acted Upon
Introducing Travis Eberhard! Travis is a disabled actor and illustrator and a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You may recognize him from various films, most notably by playing Albert in T.C. Christiansen's film, 17 Miracles. In this episode, we discuss…
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Ep. 11: Gethsemane, Disability, & Accountability
Our "Fifth Sunday" episode that runs a little longer than usual, but is definitely worth it! We discuss two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 18-19 and Doctrine & Covenants 20-22. We start off by asking what sin and repentance mean in the disability justice communities, and...
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Ep. 10: Disability Vocab Part 1
Since many of our followers might be engaging with the disability and social justice communities for the first time, we decided to produce an episode dedicated to defining important terms. We use these all the time in our podcast, so feel free to come back to this episode as a reference whenever...
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Ep. 09: Power, Authority, & Accommodations
In this episode we discuss two weeks' worth of Come Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 12-13, Joseph Smith History 1:66-75, and Doctrine & Covenants 14-17. We learn that God's power and authority are not necessarily the same thing, and in fact, are often manifested separately in the scriptures and…
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Ep. 08: Bonus - Interview with Beyond the Block!
We have a special treat this week! Our friends over at Beyond the Block podcast, James and Derek, interviewed us for their listeners. In this episode we discuss the inspiration behind wHoly Human, the assumption of some privileged persons that they have no bias, and similarities between the…
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Ep. 07: Brooke Interview, Part 2 - Meltdowns, Masking, & Judgment
In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with Brooke by talking about how Autistics function in a larger neurotypical society. Many Autistics experience meltdowns when they are overstimulated by their environment, which can be embarrassing and socially - and often, physically - costly. We...
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Ep. 06: Brooke Interview, Part 1 - Autistic Vocab and Social Ecology in Religion
Brooke is a Westminster College graduate, an award winning poet and author, and an Autistic queer person with a profile of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and other disabilities. In this episode, she covers Autistic terminology including PDA differentiation, religious nationalism, spiritual...
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Ep. 05: The Disabled God, Contention, & Our Very Own Poop Metaphor
A discussion of Come Follow Me: Doctrine & Covenants 6-9 and Doctrine & Covenants 10-11. In this episode, we talk about the resurrected Jesus Christ's body, John the Beloved, and what "perfection" means for disabled people and other people that don't fit a white, heteronormative, cisgender model....
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Episode 04: César - Plowing Down Misconceptions of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
We begin our interview series by talking with César, a BYU-Idaho instructor, convert to the LDS Church, and spunky biologist with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). César relates his experiences in the Church and describes how his faith intersects with his disability. Our goal is to lift the...
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Episode 03: Angels & "Nasty Women"
Who really was Lucy Harris? Did she really steal the 116 pages of the translated Book of Lehi? That and more insights about disability & the divine from D&C 2, Joseph Smith History 1:27-65, and D&C 3-5.
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Episode 02: Visions, Validation, & Darkness
Can God heal disabilities? We would say yes. Will God heal disabilities? Not always. Perhaps not even usually. Some people on Earth will always live with disabilities. We need to learn how to grapple with that truth, no matter how “dark,” “crazy,” or uncomfortable it may be.
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Episode 01: Shenanigans, Thorny Issues, & “Weak” Things
When we speak to people in less ableist language, or in more disability-inclusive language, with metaphors that pertain more to them, we become more godlike.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Bringing disability and neurodiversity to the pulpit: An LDS Come Follow Me podcast and more. Dedicated to amplifying disabled perspectives in religious settings, especially within and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
HOSTED BY
Serena Aguirre
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does wHoly Human have?
wHoly Human currently has 40 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is wHoly Human about?
Bringing disability and neurodiversity to the pulpit: An LDS Come Follow Me podcast and more. Dedicated to amplifying disabled perspectives in religious settings, especially within and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
How often does wHoly Human release new episodes?
wHoly Human has 40 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to wHoly Human?
You can listen to wHoly Human on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts wHoly Human?
wHoly Human is created and hosted by Serena Aguirre.
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