Dive into the richness and complexity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with Lauren Yarro. Through engaging discussions, I take on the taboo and address both the positive and negative aspects of our Mormon culture while firmly rooted in our shared beliefs of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Whether you're deep-rooted in faith, a dissenting voice, or just starting your journey as a member, join me every Thursday on Blonde Apologist!
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More Latter-day Saints struggle with religious OCD, or scrupulosity, than we often realize. For those who face it, obsessive anxiety can twist gospel living into a cycle of fear and toxic guilt, and many even mistake that guilt for promptings from the Spirit.In this episode, therapist Annabella Hagen helps us understand what scrupulosity is, how it shows up in our culture, and how we can stay connected to God without letting fear take over. We also talk about how families and leaders can offer better support, when it may be time to seek professional help, and how to discern between the Spirit and anxiety.For anyone interested in joining Annabella’s FREE Online OCD Support Group for Members of the Church or the one for All Faiths, they can request to be added to the email list by contacting hope@mindsetfamilytherapy.com The Faith Leaders’ Guide to Scrupulosity OCD pamphlet (PDF): https://mindsetfamilytherapy.com/books/downloads
A Mormon Wife’s Honest Takes on SLOMW Season 3 (00:35:56)
Today we’re going through all the claims made about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the newest season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Season 3 gives us plenty to unpack! We’re going to discuss m the Book of Mormon’s racial history, how Latter-day Saints view the LGBTQ community, if we can “earn” God’s love, and what “fighting the patriarchy” doesn’t look like as a Mormon woman in 2025. Let’s talk about what they got right, what they missed, and everything in between.
Judgment, Offense, and a Little Perspective (00:44:21)
Mary Alice from the What Now podcast is basically the OG “blonde apologist,” and I adore her. She’s been tackling hard gospel topics from a place of deep faith for years, and this conversation left me thinking long after we stopped recording. We talked about how she felt called to start her podcast, the shifts she hopes to see in our Church culture, and how we can build better bridges with those who have stepped away from the Church.Checkout her podcasts (Apple podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-now/id1474476293Checkout her podcast (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/show/2zY4GanR2iYfVgRyabNvbI?si=U6Fcg600RKm9E85A15F9qw
Healing and Holding On After Infant Loss (00:43:29)
After losing her baby boy just one day after birth, my guest shares how she found strength, faith, and healing through unimaginable heartbreak. Together we talk about the tender mercies that carried her, how she’s learned to reconcile loss through the gospel, and the quiet ways she still feels connected to her son in heaven.
Honest Conversations About the Faith We Love (00:53:01)
You guys sent in some deep questions, and we’re diving into all of it: navigating confusing parts of Church history, how to handle doubts when faith feels shaky, frustrations with garments, and finding your spark again in marriage. We also talk about judgmental family dynamics, forgiveness, and staying connected when a spouse leaves the Church. Thanks for being here, now let’s dive in!
Truth and Treason: The Courage of Helmuth Hübener (00:38:07)
Today I’m joined by Matt Whitaker, director of the new film Truth and Treason, which tells the remarkable true story of Helmuth Hübener, a teenage Latter-day Saint who stood up to Hitler’s regime and paid the ultimate price for speaking truth. We talk about what drew Matt to Helmuth’s story, how faith shaped this young man’s courage, and what his example can teach us about standing for truth in our own day.Get your tickets here: https://www.angel.com/tickets/truth-and-treason
Letting Christ Author Your Story ft. Shima Baughman (01:04:44)
This conversation with Shima Baughman hits so many of the things I feel like women of our faith wrestle with: career, motherhood, timing, guilt, and how to actually let God lead without losing yourself in the process. We talk about what it looks like to make big life decisions without the social or church pressure, how to stop comparing your timeline to everyone else’s, and how confidence shows up when you let Christ author your story.Inspired by this message by President Camille Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/live/pulAR6uRP6Y?si=ZlPib1IwpRGOysiH
Navigating Dating: A Big Sis Chat w/ Sarah Sweeten (01:04:52)
Dating can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. In this fun, big-sis-style episode, I sit down with Sarah Sweeten to talk all things dating—navigating today’s culture, waiting for missionaries, boosting confidence in your single season, and spotting the red and green flags that matter most.
Why Your Scripture Study Isn’t Working (and How to Fix It) (01:01:43)
Do you struggle to have inspiring scripture studies? Me too! In this episode, I’m joined by Amber Dawn Pearce to explore why scripture study often feels like a checklist and how to fix it. She shares her favorite scripture story, practical tips for pulling more meaning out of your studies, and simple ways to make time for your studies so you can feel more connection to God.Ambers Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-smiling-brightly-with-amber-dawn-pearce/id1740796917
Finding Strength and Joy After Trauma (01:00:42)
This episode starts with my reflections on the recent tragedy in Utah and the need for disciples of Christ to be peacemakers in a divided world. Then I sit down with a friend who, after a traumatic birth, found healing and joy through the Savior’s Atonement. We talk about how Christ can truly heal and transform us, and she shares practical advice for what to do when you notice parts of yourself you want to change but aren’t sure where to start.
We Need To Talk About Pornography ft. Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife (00:59:04)
Pornography is such common struggle in our faith community, yet one of the least talked about. Too often it’s surrounded by silence, shame, and fear. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife to unpack how we can approach this topic with honesty, compassion, and faith. We talk about how to respond when a loved one is struggling, how to have open conversations while dating or parenting, and how to move toward healing and self-mastery without losing sight of God’s love.Dr. Finlayson-Fife’s Book: https://amzn.to/4mBZjuXOther Resources: https://www.finlayson-fife.com/courses?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19044940972&gclid=CjwKCAjw2brFBhBOEiwAVJX5GH3r-6RY23yK2u13_MTYTbdpH9bTPsVmXjFz3JPcBD4Wnu0jZF5HDxoCDJIQAvD_BwE
The Truth About Women in the LDS Church (00:38:48)
Social media loves to tell women in the Church what their experience is supposed to be, and it’s rarely positive. In this episode I’m pushing back. While acknowledging the major concerns critics of our Church have, I’m sharing why I believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actually the best place for women, and how our doctrine gives us divine identity, equal partnership, and direct access to God.The Doctrine on Eve: https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/conference/august-2010/the-two-treesGender Equality in the Church:https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/08/07/a-broader-vision-of-gender-equality/President Nelson on Revelation: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng&id=p16-p17#p16Uchtdorf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiiadnMvm20Sherri Dew: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/10/are-we-not-all-mothers?lang=engArdith Kapp: https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/at-the-pulpit/part-4/chapter-41?lang=eng
Can We Still Be Friends? (00:55:48)
What do you do when your best friend leaves the church? When a sibling votes differently than you? Or when a spouse no longer believes what you believe?In this episode, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Emily Robins to talk about how to navigate these tricky conversations with compassion and confidence. We explore what it looks like to hold to your values without cutting people off, and to keep relationships strong even when beliefs shift.
Trek: The Most Mormon Thing We Do (00:49:32)
This week, we celebrated Pioneer Day here in Utah! And what better way to celebrate than by talking about Trek?I asked for your Trek stories and you delivered! From funny and awkward to meaningful and mildly traumatic, it turns out people have strong feelings about this tradition.My sister and I go through your stories, share our own, and reflect on the purpose of Trek and why it tends to stick with us—for better or worse.
Rethinking Modesty (00:59:29)
For many of us in the Church, modesty lessons haven’t always been helpful. We grew up carrying shame about our bodies… sometimes even feeling like the way we dressed made us responsible for men’s thoughts. That damaging message misses the beauty of what modesty is really about. Our bodies are a sacred gift from God, and modesty should reflect that truth! In this episode, we’re rethinking modesty. What it truly means, how to live it without judgment, and how to teach it without shame.
A Faith Crisis is an Identity Crisis (01:02:19)
If you’ve ever wrestled with Church history, felt overwhelmed by things you’ve read online, or questioned whether you even believe in God anymore, you are so not alone.In this episode, I talk with Austin Fife, author of the Light and Truth Letter. Back in 2014, after years of Church activity including serving a mission and marrying in the temple, Austin concluded that God wasn’t even real.But in an unexpected twist, the same questions that led him away eventually brought him back to God, to the Church, and to a deeper, stronger faith.
Higher Law, Fewer Checklists (00:56:28)
Is Saturday really a special day? In this episode, my husband joins me as we take a closer look at some of the cultural habits we've picked up in the Church! Where they came from, whether they’re actually doctrinal, and how discipleship today is more about living higher laws than checking every box. It’s a conversation about judgment, personal revelation, and focusing more on Christ than culture.
Sex Ed For Mormons ft. Tammy Hill (01:19:33)
In this episode, I’m joined by sex therapist Tammy Hill to answer your real questions about waiting for marriage, orgasms, masturbation, what’s actually off-limits, and how to raise kids who are both sexually pure and sex positive. I hope it brings clarity (and a little less shame) to this sacred part of life!
Healing After Sexual Assault (01:00:02)
In this episode, a woman of our faith bravely shares her experience with sexual assault. We talk about how she’s worked through the betrayal, the reporting process, and what healing and forgiveness have looked like. My hope is that this episode reminds someone out there that there is hope—and you’re not alone.
No Secrets, Kinda Mormon, Some Wives (SLOMW S2) (00:45:38)
Apparently MomTok is busy modernizing our faith and fighting the patriarchy; and I cannot look away. In this episode, we break down the wild claims made by the women of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and what they reveal (or sometimes misrepresent) about our faith. I’ll discuss patriarchy, submission to husbands, the doctrine behind temple sealings, and the all-too-familiar issue of slut-shaming in the Church. Let’s dive in!
Singleness: Finding Joy in Every Season (01:12:43)
Being single in a family-focused church can feel complicated! In this episode, we dive into what it means to truly live, grow, and find joy in the season you’re in. We talk about navigating cultural expectations, finding confidence in your path, and embracing singleness as a meaningful part of discipleship—not just a phase to get through.
Leading Little Souls to Christ (01:05:35)
Raising spiritually and mentally strong kids feels like a huge responsibility and the window to really shape them can feel so short. In this episode, I sit down with a good friend to talk about what actually stuck from our own childhoods. We also share listener submissions filled with simple and powerful parenting moments. Together we're learning from the past and doing our best to raise strong little humans with the Spirit in our homes.
Dear Heavenly Mother (00:41:30)
Many Latter-day Saints feel unsure about how to approach the topic of Heavenly Mother. What's speculation? What's doctrine? And what does it mean for our faith? In this episode, I talk with the author of a widely shared article from Public Square Magazine to explore what we do know, address common misconceptions, and discuss how understanding our Heavenly Mother can deepen our relationship with both of our Heavenly Parents and Savior. https://publicsquaremag.org/faith/gospel-fare/heavenly-mother-faith-vs-speculation/
Can You “Know” Christ Lives? (00:27:38)
What does it really mean to be a witness of the resurrected Jesus Christ? In this episode, we walk through the scriptural accounts of those who saw the risen Savior and discuss how you and I can also come to “know” He lives, even without seeing Him with our eyes. If you’ve ever wondered whether spiritual experiences count as real evidence, or if you've longed for more confidence in your testimony of Christ, this episode is for you. Let’s explore how we can recognize the Savior in our own lives and become modern-day witnesses of Him.
Talks We Loved + Questions You Asked (00:50:15)
My husband's back on the podcast with me, and we're kicking things off by sharing our favorite moments from General Conference-what stood out, what made us think, and what we're still talking about. Then we dive into some of your questions, chatting about how we handle disagreements in marriage, thoughts on pornography, and how we (try to) make time for scripture study as busy parents.
