It's our third annual Girlscamp scary stories roundup! Bentley joins me as we dive into tales of a haunted mission house, a temple initiatory gone wrong, a possessed Airbnb doll, and more. Consider this your Halloween campfire… inside the chapel. Last year’s scary stories episode with Bentley Return missionary speaking Spanish video Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠⁠here⁠ for two bonus episodes per month and more. For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dallin H. Oaks was just named the new Mormon prophet, which gives us a lot to talk about. We’re doing a refresher on how a prophet is chosen, breaking down who Dallin picked as his counselors, and diving into the most problematic things he’s said as a church leader so far. To listen to the entire episode, you can join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of the horrific shooting at an LDS church building in Michigan, ex-Mormon content creators (myself included) have been hit with backlash and accused of ‘fueling hate.’ I break down why I think that’s mostly bullshit—while also exploring where it’s worth pausing to consider the line between ex-Mormonism and anti-Mormonism. From there, it’s a true mixed bag: Mayci Neeley’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives book tour soundbites, the downward trend of self-identified orthodox Mormons, my newfound niche interest in polygamy (thanks to Christine Brown Woolley’s new book about life on Sister Wives), and more. Christine Brown Woolley’s book Mormon Stories panel on “anti-Mormonism” Mayci Neeley’s NPR interview SL Tribune article on Mormon’s abandoning orthodox beliefs Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠⁠here⁠ for two bonus episodes per month and more. For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve all heard the scary ghost stories—but what about the good ones? Today I’m sharing your stories of “good ghosts”: ancestors offering advice from the other side, an apparition stepping in after an accident, and even a friendly Scottish highlander checking in on his old home. This episode turned out surprisingly heartwarming—and yes, I cried my eyes out. You’ve been warned. Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠⁠here⁠ for two bonus episodes per month and more. For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much has transpired in Mormon news these past couple weeks, leaving anyone Mormon-adjacent with plenty of thoughts and feelings. In this episode, I’m diving into the legacy of Russell M. Nelson—the LDS prophet who passed away just last week—and unpacking the tragic shooting at a Mormon church in Michigan. I also share how these events ripple into my own life and perspective as someone speaking from the ex-Mormon experience. You can listen to the whole episode on the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will #MomTok survive this? I’m not sure—but I do have a lot of thoughts about motherhood. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s really like being a twin mom, how we’re navigating the preschool milestone, and where I’m at with the big question of whether (or not) to have more kids. I’m also responding to your questions and submissions, covering everything from tense mother-daughter dynamics to the ethics of bringing children into the world—and even how to tell if you’re obeying or rebelling against the conditioning around motherhood. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started. “Girl with the list” ⁠TikTok⁠ Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠⁠here⁠ for two bonus episodes per month and more. For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and sexual assault. Please take care while listening. Ellee Duke grew up the picture-perfect Mormon girl, but after moving to Nashville for a record deal at 18, she began to question everything. Her story includes a relationship that turned abusive and the church’s poor response, family struggling to make sense of her faith transition, and a lot of processing, healing, and reclamation through music. Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠here for two bonus episodes per month and more. For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Ellee Duke on Spotify Ellee Duke on Instagram Ellee Duke on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve got plenty to rant about and plenty to rave about today ⚖️ On the rant list: the state of the world and what can be done about it, that new show The Paper, and Taylor Frankie Paul as the Bachelorette. On the rave list: my latest book obsession, a sweet motherhood milestone, Dancing With the Stars, and more. Come hang out with me while I get it all off my chest! To listen to the full episode, subscribe to the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Julie Hanks joins us to share both her professional expertise as a marriage and family therapist who has worked with women across the Mormon and ex-Mormon spectrum for over 30 years, and her personal experience of entering a new era after leaving the LDS Church, going through divorce, and embracing her true self even more. Topics we cover include: the final straw in her Mormon journey, navigating mixed-faith dynamics, finding identity after high-demand religion, and why women need more support. Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠⁠here.⁠⁠ For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Dr. Julie Hanks instagram Dr. Julie Hanks coaching services Wasatch Family Therapy To The Mothers in Zion talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tanner and I go all the way back to third grade! We hopped on the mics this week to catch up on—first and foremost—why Diet Coke matters so much to our little ex-Mormon hearts and how we’re reevaluating our relationships with substances. From there we get into finding room for the mystical after leaving religion, “trusting your gut” both literally and figuratively, the soullessness of Freakier Friday, the TikTok-ification of art, and why we think we inherited a perfection problem from Mormonism. We hehe and haha the whole way through, and I hope you will too! “Essex Honey” by Blood Orange “Tested” podcast (on female runners who can no longer compete as women) “Shiversucker” music video Tanner’s first episode on Girlscamp Tanner’s Instagram Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠here.⁠ For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are few things I disliked as much as fasting as a Mormon, so in this episode I’m talking about why. I get into what Mormon fasting is all about and then dig into fasting practices across cultures and religions—including when it’s done for health or protest reasons. I’m also sharing a recent awkward in-person run-in and a must-see documentary. Listen to the whole episode on the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As promised, we’ve got a sex expert back on Girlscamp! Rebekah Barton, associate marriage & family therapist specializing in sex, joins us to tackle all your burning questions. We cover everything from spicing up dirty talk to grieving the reality of only ever having one partner, the toll abstinence takes on queer Mormons, how to get past masturbation hangups, and so much more. You don’t want to miss this one! Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠here.⁠ For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. REFERENCES: Bekah's Instagram Bekah's TikTok Bekah's email: bekah@everglowhealing.com Links for learning/ practicing dirty talk:  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dirty-talk/id1623119405 https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/dirty-talk-101-series/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Masturbation/ Female Pleasure Course waitlist link  (discount code: GIRLSCAMP) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What haunted my Mormon girl nightmares? The Martin and Willie handcart tragedy. And here’s the thing: the version I was taught growing up wasn’t even as bad as the reality. In this episode, we’ll recap what really happened on that deadly trek, share some of the most harrowing and human anecdotes, and yes, do some much-deserved shit talking of Brigham Young. But more than that, I’ll dig into why this story still matters to me as a former Mormon—and how it continues to shape the way I understand both the faith of my upbringing and my identity as a descendant of pioneers. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/girlscamp Devil's Gate book Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠here.⁠ For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My trip to Sweden for a wedding has given me much to talk and testify about. After a recap of the week (including a couple serious travel mishaps), I dive into what it was like to leave the kids, the magic of non-Mormon weddings, and alcohol as a social lubricant. I share what it feels like to be the only ex-Mormon at the function, the joy of connecting with brand-new friends, and my very first real clubbing (and drunk 🍷) experience. You can listen to the full episode on the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Codependent? No more! As I’ve been learning about my own codependent tendencies, I’ve started noticing all the ways they show up in the culture and doctrine of high-demand religions. In this episode, we’ll cover Codependency 101, I’ll share my journey of recognizing those patterns in family, friendships, and marriage—and how I’m working to shift them. Then we’ll dive into how Mormonism (and other high-demand religions) can supercharge those dynamics. LFG! Melody Beattie’s “Codependent No More” Dr. Julie Hanks on patriarchal cultures and enmeshment Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠here.⁠ For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Tis the season for family reunions! Before jumping into your reunion tales (spoiler: one includes polygamy cosplay), I share a few unfortunate events from my own back-to-back reunions in July. Plus, we unpack a surprising listener revelation: are family reunions kinda Mormon-coded? Pack your lawn chairs and emotional baggage—let’s get into it.  Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠here.⁠ For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re getting cozy and cracking open the bedroom door. I’m answering your sex questions, reading your spicy (and sweet) thoughts and reflections, and sharing a few intimate observations from my own sex life. It’s part advice column, part group chat, part “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.” You can listen to the episode in full on the Girlscamp: After Dark patreon here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a much-needed July break, I’m catching you up on everything—from the real (and sometimes complicated) privilege of being a content creator, to the weird backlash I got for taking time off, to the chaos living in my notes app all month. We’re talking Mormonism and American exceptionalism, why eating contests should be illegal, learning to trust your intuition, and one of my new all-time favorite books. It’s a little bit of everything—because that’s what this podcast is, and honestly? That’s what I missed most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Pioneer Day, we’re digging into what it really meant to be a pioneer woman—think managing periods and sex on the plains. I also take you on a deep dive into the lives of two prominent women: Jane Elizabeth Manning James and Mary Fielding Smith. Their stories are fascinating, complicated, and, weirdly, involve a lot of oxen. We’ll also unpack the emotional gymnastics that come with having pioneer ancestry—and how, ex-Mormon or not, we all have to reckon with the Mormon origin story. Plus, I wrap up with a little life update: how my July break went and a peek into a recent brand trip I got to take. You can listen to the full episode on the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode first aired back in March 2024, and y’all loved it. So I’m bringing it back for a little Girlscamp Rewind. Whether it’s your first time or a repeat listen, I hope you enjoy!  Gather 'round the fire for some wild stories from Mormon girl's camp. These tales include traumatizing object lessons, "snipe hunting" and getting secretly stoned under the stars. And I even sing my favorite girl's camp song! Join the Girlscamp: After Dark Patreon account ⁠here.⁠ For more Girlscamp content follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠. For ad inquiries please email girlscamppodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices