Dr. Marcus Martins made history as the first Black missionary to serve after the 1978 revelation that extended the priesthood to all worthy male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But that’s not what he wants to be known for. In this conversation, Dr. Martins opens up about something far more personal and powerful: his quiet, steady choice to follow Christ, even when some questions didn’t have answers. He didn’t stay in the Church because he ignored the hard things. He s...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 37
Many faithful Saints silently wrestle with the same question: “Why do I still feel broken?” In this powerful episode, Dr. Kawika Allen unpacks the hidden spiritual struggle of scrupulosity—anxiety disguised as righteousness—and how it convinces even the most devoted disciples that they’re never enough. What if the reason you feel unworthy isn’t because you’ve failed, but because you’ve been trying to earn what was never meant to be earned? We explore the toxic grip of maladaptive perfectionism, ...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 36
Is fatherhood just underappreciated, or is it under attack? Thirty years ago, The Family: A Proclamation to the World declared that fathers are to preside, provide, and protect. Today, fatherhood is mocked, minimized, or erased altogether. We’ve gone quiet—afraid the truth is too controversial, the standard too high, the damage already done. But Dr. Tim Rarick makes a powerful case: the world doesn’t need perfect dads—it needs present ones. The Proclamation isn’t a list of impossible expectation...
Jun 12, 2025•2 hr 10 min•Ep. 35
In a culture that’s delaying, rejecting, and redefining marriage, what’s keeping young people from the relationships they deeply want? BYU professor Dr. Brian Willoughby breaks down the hidden fears, mixed messages, and spiritual confusion behind modern dating and what the restored gospel can uniquely offer. We discuss: Why marriage and family are being delayed—or avoided altogether The concept of “Me-Marriage” and how we can avoid it How our culture of individualism and “on-demand” connection i...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 34
What if the very thing you prayed would go away… is actually God’s invitation to know Him better? Ron Squire was living the life he planned, until a fall left him paralyzed and full of doubt. His faith didn’t feel like enough. But through the unlikely lens of Viktor Frankl, and a God who doesn’t waste suffering, Ron discovered something deeper: Pain isn’t punishment. It’s a privilege. And when you stop running from it… You might just find the faith you’ve been missing....
May 22, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 33
Why do people lose their faith? Psychologist and BYU-I professor, Dr. Jeffrey Thayne, uncovers the deeper desires shaping our beliefs. Challenging the assumption that logic alone drives our convictions, Jeffrey reveals how moral intuitions, molded by our communities and culture, hold the key to navigating faith and doubt. Unlocking these answers can strengthen our own faith and help us better navigate relationships with those who have stepped away.
May 08, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 32
Most of us celebrate the Resurrection but quietly avoid the Crucifixion. Why? In this vulnerable and eye-opening conversation, John Hilton III shares how facing Christ’s suffering can unlock a deeper connection to His love, His power, and His victory over death. If you’ve ever felt distant from Jesus, this episode will change how you see Him—and how you feel about your covenant connection with Him.
Apr 10, 2025•54 min•Ep. 31
What happens when everything you believe suddenly unravels? Austin Fife (Light and Truth Letter) shares his deeply personal journey through faith, doubt, and rediscovery. From powerful spiritual experiences to moments of uncertainty, Austin opens up about what led him to question his beliefs—and what ultimately brought him back. Austin shares the moment he realized he no longer believed in God, his wife’s unexpected response to that revelation, and the answers to hard questions that renewed his ...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 30
What happens when faith and Hollywood collide? Early in his career, actor Scott Christopher promised the Lord that he would be open about his faith at all times and in all circumstances. Keeping that promise opened up conversations and opportunities he never expected. In this episode of Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones, Scott Christopher shares his incredible journey—from childhood dreams of performing to landing a major role in an Amazon Prime series. But along the way, he faced an unexpected ...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 29
Did the Book of Mormon Witnesses Really See the Gold Plates? What if the most controversial testimonies in Latter-day Saint history weren’t just words—but undeniable evidence of something far bigger? In this episode of Let's Get Real, historian Don Bradley—who once left his faith but later returned—tackles the hardest, most controversial questions head-on: Were the Three and Eight Witnesses deceived? Were they part of a fabrication? Or did they really see the gold plates? Don reveals hidden deta...
Feb 22, 2025•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 28
What lies behind the financial success of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Church Historian Casey Griffiths seeks to challenge common assumptions—that the Church's wealth is secretive, excessive, and mismanaged. He helps us understand that the Law of Consecration, a principle rooted in unity and faith, is the cornerstone of its financial practices, guiding its mission and humanitarian efforts worldwide. We discuss common misconceptions, the balance between saving and giving, and ...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 27
Pres. Nelson’s Call to Women About Priesthood Power Is More Urgent Than Ever, Dr. Barbara Gardner | E0026 Let’s be real: there’s a lot of confusion when it comes to women and priesthood power. And that confusion? It’s holding way too many women back from fully stepping into their divine potential. In this episode, Dr. Barbara Morgan Gardner, BYU Religion Professor, is here to cut through the misconceptions and get to the heart of what priesthood power really means for women—and how it can comple...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 26
Can Horror Bring Us Closer to God? Michaelbrent Collings on Heretic and Redemption | E0025 On this episode of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, Bestselling Latter-day Saint author Michaelbrent Collings joins us to explore the bold intersection of belief and fear. Micahelbrent gives his take on the horror film Heretic with Hugh Grant, challenges societal stigmas, unravels the complexities of storytelling, and reveals how horror can build empathy, foster community, and inspire redemption. --- CHA...
Jan 17, 2025•2 hr 18 min•Ep. 25
Why These 3 Worldviews Are Leading People Away from God and Faith | Jeffery Thayne, Latter-day Saint E0024 On this episode of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, join our conversation with Psychology Professor Dr. Jeffery Thayne, who believes, "We often have very little idea what various world views are shaping our faith, our questions, our doubts, our convictions. These worldviews invariably frame the questions that we ask." Does the Gospel work for me? This question, rooted in what we treasure ...
Nov 03, 2024•35 min•Ep. 24
Why are Latter-day Saints often portrayed so negatively in pop culture? We sat down with Jasmin Rappleye from Scripture Plus to uncover why that may be and determine what we can do about it. A few years ago, Jasmin noticed an influx of negative content about the church on platforms like TikTok. Seeing this rise in critical content galvanized her to do what she could to add more positive messages to the conversation. With the support of Scriptures Central and a passion for the truth, Jasmin craft...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 23
What is the ideal family? How can we shoot for the ideal while leaving room for those who can’t meet it? Jenet Erickson is a BYU professor and researcher. She walks us through the unique roles mothers and fathers play in shaping their children’s lives. Jenet shares how these eternal roles stem from something deeper than tradition. We also talk about the effects of fragmented families and what we can do to create stronger, more connected homes.
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 22
How can Christ help us forgive those who have wronged us in the most egregious ways? As a young, Muslim girl in Iran, Shima Baughman’s mom was betrayed by a family member and sent to one of the world’s worst prisons in the middle of a war-torn country. Shima shares how her family has navigated the deep wounds of betrayal. Can she and her family forgive the woman who betrayed her mom?
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 21
If you, or someone you love, has struggled to reconcile complex church history, join us in our conversation with Dr. Steven C Harper. Exploring the mystery of multiple First Vision accounts, Stephen Jones sits down with BYU Professor Dr. Steven Harper, a renowned historian and expert on Latter-day Saint history. They unravel the reasons behind the discrepancies and shed light on the broader implications for faith and history, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of this foundational event. -...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 20
BYU President Shane Reese has been in his role for a year now. We had a lot of questions for him. Is there anything he’d do differently? What is BYU's "divinely established" mission? What's at stake if BYU doesn't fulfill its mission? What is the current student experience, and how can we improve it? We discuss President Reese’s hard time acclimating as a new student at BYU, what it’s like to report to General Authorities, and his hopes for the future of BYU. If you enjoyed this episode, conside...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 19
For episode 18, I get real with Grammy Award-winning vocal director Mauli Bonner. After uncovering controversial and lesser-known stories about Black pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mauli, feeling embarrassed about his ignorance, is inspired to become a film writer and director. His mission: To craft an enlightening film that breaks the silence. Despite facing societal hesitation to confront painful, controversial histories, Mauli aims to use the film's proceeds to f...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 18
In E17 of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, Dr. John Thompson tackles a topic that's often misunderstood: the concept of "curses" within sacred texts, especially regarding Latter-day Saint teachings. He explains that what some might interpret as racial curses in scripture, like those mentioned in the Book of Abraham, is about something entirely different. John S. Thompson is an acclaimed Egyptologist with a rich background in ancient scriptures and modern religious studies, including a Ph.D. fr...
Mar 21, 2024•55 min•Ep. 17
I sat down with Dr. John Hilton III and discussed the FBI investigation that proves Joseph Smith DIDN'T write the Book of Mormon. From this episode, you will learn how stylometry, the same method that unmasked the Unabomber, unveils the complex tapestry of voices within the BOM, suggesting a divine collaboration beyond Joseph Smith's capacity. You will learn of Joseph Smith's translation process, highlighting his divine gift and the remarkable efficiency with which the BOM was translated, reinfo...
Feb 02, 2024•57 min•Ep. 16
On this episode of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, I sat down with Jennifer Roach, a licensed mental health Therapist and Senior Research Associate at FAIR Latter-day Saints. From an ordained Anglican Pastor to a passionate mental health therapist in the LDS community. Overcoming her own traumatic experiences in high school at the hands of her church pastor, Jennifer now offers her expertise to support trauma survivors. She shares her personal story and research, providing invaluable perspect...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 15
E0014 of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones features Brother Bradley Wilcox, First Counselor in the General Young Men's Presidency, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brother Wilcox shares how his early life experiences, including his childhood in Ethiopia, have shaped his unique perspective on life's most challenging questions.In this thought-provoking episode, Brother Wilcox takes us through his journey from his early days in EFY to his role in the General Young Men Presidency ...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 14
Don Bradley speaks candidly about why he left and came back to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 13
In this episode, Stephen talks to LDS Polygamy and Joseph Smith Historian, Don Bradley, and discusses why he left and came back to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 11
Stephen sits down with Dr. John S.K. Kauwe III and discusses his unique path to becoming BYU–Hawaii's youngest president while balancing faith, science, and service at the same time.
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 12
If you ever feel hopeless, watch until Elder Bednar gives his advice about hope and how to find it. The conversation gets really deep. Elder Bednar, an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, previously never imagined there would be a temple in Bentonville, Arkansas, in his lifetime. Elder Bednar answers questions about the special significance of the Bentonville, Arkansas Temple to him and his family, what he hopes people understand about worshiping in temples, what encourag...
Jun 19, 2023•14 min•Ep. 10
We connect with @AshleyHessMusic of @thekingwillcome and a memorable finalist from American Idol 2019. Discover Ashley's unique journey, from her transition from being a dental hygienist to a recognized performer, and the unexpected path she treads after leaving the American Idol stage. Post-Idol, Ashley's experience was not just about the music. She opens up about feeling isolated, the challenges she faced, and the spiritual transformation she underwent. Hear her candid account of wrestling wit...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 9
Controversial Allegations Against the "Mormon" Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints): Exploring the Truth Behind the Headlines This episode is an analysis and discussion with Aaron Miller, an expert in non-profit management and ethics. He is a professor at Brigham Young University and co-author of The Business Ethics Field Guide and The $100 Billion ‘Mormon Church’ Story: A Contextual Analysis.
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 8
