May 21 2025
Katherine Bernard (KB) Olsen is a never-mo (never Mormon) — but also one of the most devoted fans of Mormon Stories Podcast. A queer, secular journalist with deep Jewish roots and a high-fashion pedigree, Katherine has spent over 20 years captivated by the LDS Church — despite never being religious herself. In her first-ever full-length interview about her life story, she opens up about her lifelong curiosity with Mormonism, identity, belief, and American culture.KB's impressive journalism career includes work at Vogue, New York Times, and other top-tier New York publications. After moving from Maryland to attend NYU for journalism, she found herself drawn not only to art and culture — but also to spirituality, history, and the paradoxes of organized religion. Over the years, her interest in Mormonism became a deep and serious intellectual pursuit.What You'll Hear in This Interview:-Her upbringing in a secular household in Maryland-Her exploration of Jewish identity and eventual conversion-Her first exposure to Mormonism through South Park, Big Love, and The Book of Mormon musical-Her emotional journey coming out as gay in a non-supportive environment-Her reflections on shame, logic, identity, and community-Her nuanced take on Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Mormon reality TV-Her insights into conditioning, religious extremism, and spiritual seekingThis episode is a masterclass in curiosity — how someone with no personal ties to the LDS Church became one of its most thoughtful outside observers. KB explores Mormonism not as a critic or a believer, but as a seeker with a journalist’s eye.Watch this episode on YouTube here.___________________Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsSocial Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the DiscordContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
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About "Mormon Stories" Podcast
Founded in 2005, Mormon Stories podcast is the longest running and most popular Mormon-themed podcast. Hosted by Dr. John Dehlin (Clinical/Counseling Psychology), Mormon Stories podcast seeks to understand, explore, challenge, and improve the Mormon experience through stories. Some of the primary objectives of Mormon Stories podcast include:
Providing support to Mormons who are transitioning away from either orthodox Mormonism, or from Mormonism altogether, with a particular emphasis on:
Minimizing the anxiety, depression, and occasional suicidality that can accompany a transition away from religious orthodoxy.
Reducing the number of unnecessary divorces attributable to Mormon faith crises.
Creating a community of support for liberal/progressive and post-Mormons.
Building greater awareness regarding accurate LDS/Mormon church history, doctrine, and theology – so that both active, believing Mormons and investigators of the church can make informed decisions regarding their investment in, and engagement with the church.
Identifying opportunities for growth/improvement within the LDS church, and within broader Mormon culture.
Mormon Stories podcast operates in partnership with the Open Stories Foundation (a 501c3 non-profit), and obtained over 7.6 million podcast downloads and Facebook/Youtube views in 2019. The work of Mormon Stories podcast has been featured in the New York Times, National Public Radio, Good Morning America, the Wall Street Journal, VH1, the Huffington Post, VICE NEWS, etc
If you are new to Mormon Stories podcast, a fantastic way to begin exploring the podcast is to begin with our Top 25 most important/popular episodes of all time.
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