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All Out in the Open

All Out in the Open, Questions from the Closet

225 episodes

14 hours ago

In this week’s ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. Growing up in an interfaith home, he felt called to Judaism and a life of activism. Rabbi Yanklowitz has founded organizations that serve foster children, immigrants, unsheltered individuals, and animals. Through his leadership and faith, he has also been a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Rabbi Yanklowitz invites listeners to reinterpret exclusive teachings, live joyfully as ...

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Religion & Spirituality,

Society & Culture

All content for All Out in the Open is the property of All Out in the Open, Questions from the Closet and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this week’s ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. Growing up in an interfaith home, he felt called to Judaism and a life of activism. Rabbi Yanklowitz has founded organizations that serve foster children, immigrants, unsheltered individuals, and animals. Through his leadership and faith, he has also been a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Rabbi Yanklowitz invites listeners to reinterpret exclusive teachings, live joyfully as ...

Show more...

Religion & Spirituality,

Society & Culture

Episodes (20/225)

All Out in the Open

How a Jewish Rabbi Flips Judgement into Curiosity (with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz)

In this week’s ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. Growing up in an interfaith home, he felt called to Judaism and a life of activism. Rabbi Yanklowitz has founded organizations that serve foster children, immigrants, unsheltered individuals, and animals. Through his leadership and faith, he has also been a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Rabbi Yanklowitz invites listeners to reinterpret exclusive teachings, live joyfully as ...

6 days ago

45 minutes

All Out in the Open

What Conference Left Us Talking About (With Charlie and Ben)

In this week’s episode, Charlie and Ben share their experiences watching the October 2025 General Conference. They discuss which messages stood out to them and how we can apply those principles in our daily efforts to become better disciples of Christ.

1 week ago

50 minutes

All Out in the Open

Exploring the Doctrine of Exaltation When You Don’t See Yourself in It (with Jeremy and Sara Kerrigan)

This week our IN the Scriptures episode features Jeremy and Sara Kerrigan. After nearly two decades of marriage, Jeremy came out as gay. Though the couple later divorced, they continue to share deep friendship, faith, and love for each other and their five children. Together with host Clare Dalton, they discuss Doctrine & Covenants 124-136, exploring temple covenants, eternal relationships, and how our understanding of God grows through lived experience. #AllOutInTheOpen #INtheScriptur...

2 weeks ago

1 hour 9 minutes

All Out in the Open

Finding Self Acceptance as a Gay Saint in Jamaica (with Marcel Robinson)

This week’s OUT and About episode features Marcel Robinson, a gay Latter-day Saint from Jamaica. He opens up about losing his father, coming to terms with his sexuality, facing health challenges, serving a mission, and now attending Brigham Young University–Idaho. Marcel’s story is one of faith, hope and perseverance.

3 weeks ago

52 minutes

All Out in the Open

Bringing Ministry to the Margins (With Bishop Karen Oliveto)

This week in our ALL Together episode, Bishop Karen Oliveto shares her experiences as the first openly lesbian bishop in The United Methodist Church and what it means to bring ministry to the margins. Drawing on insights from her book “Together at the Table,” Bishop Oliveto discusses the power of gathering to find common ground. Her story reminds us that inclusion and understanding are everyday expressions of faith.

4 weeks ago

42 minutes

All Out in the Open

Behind the Scenes With Sound Guy Mike

This week’s OPEN Up episode features one of our very own editors, Mike Poret—better known as “Sound Guy Mike.” Mike first discovered Questions from the Closet while he was in the process of coming out. Reaching out to Charlie and Ben, he offered his technical skills, which have supported our guests and listeners for the past five years. In this episode, Mike shares what happens behind the scenes, his favorite episodes, and how the podcast has impacted his own journey.

1 month ago

40 minutes

All Out in the Open

Setting Boundaries Without Burning Bridges (with Michael Soto)

This week in our IN the Scriptures episode, Michael Soto joins Clare Dalton to discuss Doctrine & Covenants 109-123. Together they explore the importance of names, boundaries, and chosen families.

1 month ago

1 hour 17 minutes

All Out in the Open

Bravery in the Midst of Cultural Barriers (with VJ)

This week in our OUT and About episode, VJ Aguilar shares his journey growing up in Mexico, immigrating to the U.S., and coming out as bisexual amid cultural pressures and familial expectations. From hiding his identity to proudly leading a Pride parade, VJ’s story inspires us to be brave.

1 month ago

55 minutes

All Out in the Open

Working With Opponents to Protect & Advance Rights (with Sara Burlingame)

This week in our ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Sara Burlingame, former Wyoming state legislator and current Executive Director of Wyoming Equality. Sara shares what it’s like to live and work as an LGBTQ+ advocate in Wyoming, drawing from her experiences in both nonprofit and government spaces. She reflects on the importance of protecting rights, reaching across the aisle, and meeting people where they are to build meaningful bridges. With a background i...

1 month ago

59 minutes

All Out in the Open

Join Us For a Gathering

We’re hosting a morning gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them! Think light breakfast, good conversation, a few connection activities, and a short devotional. 📅 Saturday, September 13 🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm 📍 Private residence in Provo, UT (address shared after RSVP) RSVP using the link in our Instagram bio! Would love to see you there.

2 months ago

2 minutes

All Out in the Open

Church Resources You May Not Know About (with Barry Donakey)

This week’s OPEN Up episode features Barry Donakey, who helped launch LGBTQ+ workshops at Utah Valley Institute and is involved with the Gather Conference. Barry joins Ben and Charlie to explore Church resources that support individuals, families, and leaders in ministering to LGBTQ+ members. You can find the church counseling resources here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/counseling-resources/same-sex-attraction?lang=eng and the life help resources here: https...

2 months ago

43 minutes

All Out in the Open

When God’s Promises Seem Unmet (with Hannah Bryan)

This week in our IN the Scriptures episode Clare Dalton and Hannah Bryan discuss Doctrine and Covenants 94-108. These sections outline the intense persecution of the early Church members living in Missouri. As a transgender woman, Hannah has faced violence in her own life that mirrors that experiences of the early Saints. Clare and Hannah dive into the formation of the United Firm and Zion’s Camp. These groups faced challenges and didn’t achieve every purpose they set out to do—reminders tha...

2 months ago

1 hour 10 minutes

All Out in the Open

Why a Queer Asian Nonmember Showed Up At an LDS Institute (with Atlas Nocturne)

This OUT and About episode features Atlas Nocturne (he/they). While at Arizona State University, Atlas began attending the Church’s Institute of Religion—even though they’re not a member. They share what it was like to navigate faith spaces as a trans, non-binary person and how Church members made them feel welcome. Atlas’ story is a reminder that understanding and connection can bloom, even when we start from very different places.

2 months ago

47 minutes

All Out in the Open

Building Bridges over Obstacles Together (with Bree & Kit Borrowman)

This week in our ALL Together episode, Bree and Kit Borrowman share their powerful journey of love, identity and community. Bree, a high school science teacher, lived with gender incongruence and dysphoria for about 50 years before coming out. Since then, she’s found joy and peace living as her authentic self. Her wife, Kit, shares what it’s been like to walk this road alongside Bree. Together, they discuss the deep sense of belonging they’ve found in the LGBTQ+ community while remaining act...

3 months ago

57 minutes

All Out in the Open

How a Gay Catholic is Making Space to Stay (with Justin Telthorst)

This week in our OPEN Up episode, Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird talk with Justin Telthorst, a gay Catholic and founder of Empty Chairs, a nonprofit working to build belonging between LGBTQ+ individuals and the Catholic Church. Justin shares his journey of faith, identity, and advocacy—discussing what it’s like to be queer in a conservative faith tradition, and how he’s found purpose in creating space for others to feel seen. It’s a powerful conversation about authenticity, hope, and t...

3 months ago

1 hour 18 minutes

All Out in the Open

Gather Conference Live Q&A

How can I be a good ally? How do you stay hopeful in a difficult world? Who is Ben’s celebrity crush? Learn the answers (and more) in this THE Exclusive episode: a live Q&A from the 2025 Gather Conference featuring Ben Schilaty, Charlie Bird and Liz Macdonald.

3 months ago

45 minutes

All Out in the Open

New Eyes and a Fresh Understanding (with Ben Bernards)

This week in our IN the Scriptures episode, Clare Dalton sits down with Ben Bernards, an author, blogger, podcaster, and a beloved youth speaker known for his energetic love of the gospel. He is also a husband and father to three daughters—two of whom are trans. Together, Ben and Clare dive into the Doctrine and Covenants and reflect on what it means to truly embrace light and truth: by trusting God, overcoming fear, and letting go of previously held beliefs.

3 months ago

1 hour 21 minutes

All Out in the Open

A Closet without a Door: How Culture Affects Coming Out (with Adrian)

Our OUT and About episode this week looks a little different. Our guest Adrian (name changed) from Indonesia isn’t able to come out publicly, so he shared his experiences as an LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saint with host Iese Wilson, who retold them to Ben Schilaty. We’re grateful for every story bravely shared on All Out in the Open.

3 months ago

42 minutes

All Out in the Open

At Last They’re on the Podcast (with Cynthia WinWard & Susan Hinckley)

This week’s ALL Together episode features Cynthia Winward and Susan Hinckley, hosts of a podcast and authors of a book called At Last She Said It. They started their podcast to amplify the unspoken thoughts and feelings of Latter-day Saint women who feel out of place. Cynthia and Susan discuss the power of hearing people’s stories, embracing change as individuals and a living Church, and loving our family members as God does.

4 months ago

1 hour

All Out in the Open

What LGBTQ+ Latter-Day Saints Wish Others Understood (with Ben & Charlie)

On this week’s OPEN Up episode, Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird share heartfelt and powerful insights gathered from a survey of LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints. What do they wish their families, leaders, and fellow Church members understood? From deeply personal reflections to recurring themes of faith, pain, and hope, this episode gives voice to experiences too often overlooked. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or seeking to better support someone who is, this episode is a must-listen.

4 months ago

38 minutes